Dante Reyes

Lore & Background

Dante's motivation is strictly personal: he blames Dominic Toretto for killing his father, Hernan Reyes, and stealing their fortune during the events of Fast Five (2011). Ten years later, Dante re-emerges to dismantle Dom's life. His methodology involves manipulating others; he turns Cipher's crew against her by offering them money and freedom. In Rome, he remotely controls a truck containing a bomb, releasing it into the streets before Dom and Letty push the bomb into the Tiber River together. Dante also orchestrates the death of Diogo during a race in Rio de Janeiro by placing a bomb under his modified 1970 Dodge Challenger; when Dom chooses to save Isabel Neves, the bomb detonates, killing Diogo. His reach extends globally, leading him to track Little B to Portugal and ally with Aimes, the head of The Agency.

In Their Own Story

The conflict escalates from Rome to Rio de Janeiro, where Dante challenges Dom to a race involving allies Isabel Neves and Diogo. When Dom saves Isabel instead of winning, Dante kills Diogo with an explosive device attached to his car. Following this, Dante intercepts a bridge confrontation in Rio, stealing the God's Eye surveillance program after Tess is injured by a sniper. He reveals his conspiracy when he corners Dom and Little B at a dam, exposing Aimes as a co-conspirator. In a final act of vengeance, Dante triggers explosives planted on the dam to kill Dom and his son, though they manage to drive off the edge to escape. Additionally, in a mid-credits scene, Dante contacts Luke Hobbs via phone, declaring him the next target for killing his father.

Reader's Guide

Dante Reyes operates as a strategic mastermind who uses technology and psychological warfare rather than just physical force. He is supported by a network of allies including Cipher, who is coerced into working with him, and Aimes, who betrays the Agency to join Dante's cause. His character is defined by his sadistic nature and his ability to turn friends into enemies by targeting their families. Key moments include the remote detonation in Rome, the fatal race in Rio, and the dam explosion. Jason Momoa described the role as playing against type, portraying a "less macho" villain with significant daddy issues who is determined to make Dom pay for the past.

Did You Know?

• Jason Momoa performed his own stunts for the film.
• Dante Reyes is described by Momoa as 'very sadistic and androgynous' with a 'peacock' persona.
• He kills Diogo in Rio de Janeiro using a bomb placed under his modified 1970 Dodge Challenger, not a Porsche 911.
• In early drafts, Aimes and Dante were intended to be brothers, but this was changed for the final film.
• Dante contacts Luke Hobbs in a mid-credits scene to declare him his next target.