Story Overview

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) raises the stakes once again as the long-running buddy-cop saga blends explosive action with personal turning points for its iconic characters.

The story follows veteran detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) as they investigate a series of brutal murders linked to an organized network specializing in human smuggling and counterfeiting. As always, their clashing personalities—Riggs’ reckless disregard for his own life and Murtaugh’s rule-abiding, family-oriented mindset—create both friction and darkly comic moments.

The investigation leads them to Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li), a ruthless crime lord and martial arts expert whose lethal efficiency makes him one of the most dangerous adversaries the duo has ever faced. Riggs repeatedly puts himself in harm’s way to bring Ku down, pushing his limits both physically and emotionally.

At the same time, the detectives’ private lives are thrown into turmoil. Riggs is forced to confront unexpected change when his relationship with Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) takes a life-altering turn, while Murtaugh struggles with family revelations involving his daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe). These personal conflicts add emotional weight to the relentless pursuit of justice.

Complicating matters further is the return of fast-talking former thief Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), whose eagerness to get involved injects chaos—and humor—into an already volatile situation. Balancing high-octane action, martial arts spectacle, and character-driven drama, Lethal Weapon 4 delivers a fitting continuation of the franchise’s signature mix of adrenaline and heart.