‘Mortal Kombat’ Ending Explained: What Does the Cliffhanger Mean for Johnny Cage?

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the Mortal Kombat ending. That is why you clicked on it, right?

The new Mortal Kombat movie on HBO Max may end with a fatality, but it’s not quite a flawless victory. At least, not according to the film’s villain, who promises our heroes that this fight is not over.

Even if you’re not familiar with the ’90s video game that the new Mortal Kombat film is based on, it’s pretty clear that the Mortal Kombat ending is setting up a sequel. But for those of us who are first-timers in the Outworld, the final moments of the movie—directed by Simon McQuoid with a screenplay by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham—might be a little confusing.

Don’t worry, because Decider is here to help. Read on for a breakdown of the Mortal Kombat ending, explained, including a briefer on Johnny Cage.

What is the Mortal Kombat ending, explained?

At the end of Mortal Kombat, our protagonist Cole Young (Lewis Tan) finally learns of his true heritage—he is the great-great-and then some grandson of Hanzo Hasashi. Lord Raiden gives Cole a blade, and tells him that if he uses it, the spirit of his ancestor will fight with him.

And he’s right! The villainous Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim)—the same man who killed Cole’s ancestor at the beginning of the film—kidnaps Cole’s family. Luckily, Cole has that handy dagger from Raiden. As soon as Cole’s blood spills on the blade, it bursts into flames. Then, in the movie’s most epic moment, Hanzo—now the vengeful Scorpion—appears, uttering the franchise’s iconic catchphrase, “Get over here!”

Scorpion and Sub-Zero duke it out for a while, while Cole tries to free his family. Then family duo team up to defeat Sub-Zero, with Scorpion burning Sub-Zero using the fires of hell.

But you didn’t think the story was over, did you? After Scorpion thanks Cole for freeing him, he peaces out. Cole frees his family, and Raiden and the other champions arrive to celebrate their happy ending—until the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung interrupts the moment.

Shang Tsung warns the champions that they may think they are the victors, but that “death is only another portal,” and that next time, he’s bringing an army. As he says this, some ominous black smoke rises from Sub-Zero’s body, suggesting he will rise again. Game fans won’t be surprised by this hint—in the game, Sub-Zero returns as a mysterious ninja called Noob Saibot.

In the Mortal Kombat final scene, Cole quits his job as an MMA fighter, and tells his boss he’s going to Hollywood. For what, his boss asks. Not what, Cole corrects him—who.

As Cole exits, the camera zooms in on a poster for a movie called Citizen Cage, starring Johnny Cage. Now, who could that be?

Who is Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat?

Johnny Cage is a main character in the Mortal Kombat game series, first introduced in 1992 as one of the original seven player characters. Cage is an actor and an action hero inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme, and in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, he was played by Linden Ashby (who younger fans may know as Sheriff Noah Stilinski on Teen Wolf.)

The character of Johnny Cage was noticeably absent in the 2021 film. Screenwriter Greg Russo told CinemaBlend that Cage was left out because they felt Kano (Josh Lawson) filled the role.

“Johnny Cage is a character that we wanted to put in there,” he said. “Ultimately the reason he’s not in there is because of Kano, and we ended up loving Kano [Josh Lawson] in that role more.”

But now it seems the writers were saving Cage to set up a sequel, Avengers-style.

Who plays Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat sequel? Is there a Johnny Cage actor yet?

There is not yet an actor cast to play Johnny Cage, because, as of right now, there is no guarantee of a Mortal Kombat sequel.

However, actor Joe Taslim has hinted that if the movie does well for Warner Bros., there could be more Mortal Kombat movies in the works��so let the Johnny Cage dream casting begin! Frank Grillo, anyone?

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly called Hanzo Cole’s father. Major fatality on our part.

Watch Mortal Kombat on HBO Max