WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Havoc.

The Triads are a fierce organization and the primary antagonistic force in Tom Hardy and Gareth Evans’ action thriller Havoc, who actually have real-world origins. Throughout Havoc, the Triads are a yakuza-like gang who have mᴀssive influence over the unnamed city where the film takes place. Led by the young but bold Tsui Fong, the son of Clarice Fong, the Triads are highly trained and skilled killers who have a hand in all of the corruption and illicit activities in the city. Some, like the traitorous Ching, even have their hands in the pockets of the police, where Walker and his old partner Vincent both work.

The main conflict in Havoc started to unfold after Tsui, the leader of the Triads, was brutally sH๏τ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at his trap house. He and several other Triad members were ambushed and murdered by Vincent and two other crooked cops named Hayes and Jake. Vincent was looking for Charlie and Mia, two of the people who stole an entire truckload of washing machines that were packed with cocaine. Although Vincent is a cop, he wasn’t looking to arrest Charlie and Mia but rather kill them for taking the stash that he was going to steal and sell himself.

The Triads Hold Power Over Lawrence Beaumont & The City In Havoc

They Have A Hand In Every Industry In The Corrupt City

The Triads are mᴀssively influential in just about every industry in the city seen in Havoc, even politics. Drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, is one of their biggest moneymakers, and essentially nothing moves in and out of the city without them putting their stamp on it and getting their cut. As seen by the dozens of warriors and ᴀssᴀssins, the Triads are not only trained in weaponry but are also very experienced in martial arts. Unlike traditional gangs that rely mostly on weapons, the Triad fighters are highly skilled in various forms of combat. They have a force just as powerful, if not more, than the police.

The Triads are so powerful in Havoc that it would be foolish for anyone to willingly mess with them, and especially foolish to try to steal from them. Unfortunately for Mia, who boosts cars and sells them for parts to get by, she unknowingly stole a car that belonged to a Triad member, which is why she was indebted to Tsui at the beginning of the film.

Mia and Charlie steal the cocaine in an attempt to make good on Mia’s debt with Tsui. After Tsui’s death, his mom, Clarice, believes Mia and Charlie are responsible. This shows just how vengeful and loyal the Triads are in avenging one of their own, especially their leader.

Tsui’s Mother Clarice Fong Leads The Triads In Havoc

She Uses the Full Force Of The Gang To Avenge Her Son

Following Tsui’s death, his mother Clarice takes the reins of the Triads and employs their full force on a path of vengeance. She believes that Mia and Charlie are the ones who killed Tsui, only discovering at the end of Havoc that she had been betrayed by Ching, whom she overlooked as the next mob boss. Clarice and the Triads only become aware of Vincent’s manipulation at the end of Havoc when it’s far too late. Following Clarice’s death, it’s unclear who is in charge of the Triads after the events of Havoc’s ending.

Clarice is only referred to as “Mother” by the other Triads, but Ellie identifies her as Clarice Fong earlier in the film. Not much is known about Clarice despite the fact that she is clearly a highly influential and revered top member of the gang. She only appears as a force of vengeance to kill the people who killed her son. She likely oversees many affairs of the Triads and appears to be in some ways even more powerful than her son was as the former gang boss. Now that Clarice is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, along with dozens of Triad fighters, Walker may have inadvertently solved one of the biggest problems plaguing the city.

The Triad Is A Real Criminal Syndicate That Originated In China

While members of the Triads make up a good chunk of Havoc’s cast, they are actually based on a real criminal syndicate that originated in China. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Triads date back to 1674, when secret societies were formed to overthrow the Chinese Manchurians and restore the Ming Dynasty to power; over the course of several centuries, triads evolved from a patriotic movement into a criminal organization.”

Triads are traditionally very ritualistic, which isn’t necessarily highlighted in Havoc, but they are involved in many types of illegal activities, such as “extortion, murder, kidnapping, illegal gambling, blackmail, arson, ᴀssault loan sharking, criminal intimidation, and street-level drug trafficking.” Triads are still very much present in the modern world.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice