Not all the antagonists in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM confront Keanu Reeve’s character with fists and guns. Non-binary actor Asia Kate Dillon (Billions) plays The Adjudicator, a powerful representative of The High Table, the ruling body of this secret society of assassins.

During an exclusive interview -and using the non-gender specific singular ‘they’ pronouns- the talented performer talked to Desde Hollywood about the solid entry in the action saga, directed once again by Chad Stahelski.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM is now playing in theaters.

What did you think of the previous John Wick installments, before joining the franchise?

I was a huge fan of the first two films. It was actually my mom who sent me a link about the release of this new movie called “John Wick,” starring Keanu Reeves. We have been fans of him for a long time! There is something about these that hit every note for me. There is an adrenaline rush from start to finish, but you also have an emotional journey and drama. To be able to play a character that expands this world, and that takes audiences deeper, was a real thrill.

Your character feels like the embodiment of the film’s main theme: consequences. Is like a walking sword of destiny!

Yes! The Adjudicator is there to enforce these bidding rules. They didn’t make the rules, but they are there to enforce them. Every action has a consequence, and if you break the rules in the world of John Wick you will be punished.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM

I started to see things from your character’s point of view, at one point: “Is having John Wick alive a good thing for everybody?”

That’s cool! That means that the film is doing its job. Hopefully, as an audience member, you would be going back and forth thinking on what side are you on. Even with John Wick, a character that you immediately connected with in the first film. You may say “I wouldn’t have done that!”

The construction of a character is a collaboration between different people, and departments. In what aspect in particular you feel that you shaped The Adjudicator?

As you said, it is a collaboration. Keanu came up with the idea of that character, and then him and Chad kept working on it. They wanted someone that would walk into a room and unsettle everyone, even people that you thought couldn’t be unsettled, like Winston or John Wick himself. Someone who was intimidating, and had confidence and power. On top of that, there was nothing in the script that said that it had to be a non-trans character. I said “We have a real opportunity here. I am a non-binary actor… Let’s make this a non-binary character.” I didn’t have to convince Chad, Keanu, or Lionsgate, they just said “Yes! Of course.” In these films there have been people from many different races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds, so adding gender diversity was incredible.

You share a few scenes with some of the most charismatic and imposing actors, like Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne. Did it feel that you were sparring with great boxers?

Absolutely. That’s a good way of putting it. It’s like boxing, or playing tennis with someone that makes you better for having played with them. Those days were incredibly exciting, gratifying, and fun. The fact that I only felt joy working with talents like Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston and Keanu Reeves, is a testament to their generosity as scene partners.

The Adjudicator is more judge, than executioner. Was there a moment when you wished you could challenge John Wick at a physical level?

The action in this film is groundbreaking. Things like the continuous shots, and seeing Keanu’s face (knowing that is really doing the stunts) are part of what makes these films really special. I am certainly happy with the fact that The Adjudicator didn’t engage physically in this film, but I am excited to see how would they do that if giving the opportunity.

Any weapon of choice?

I feel that The Adjudicator is very into hand-to-hand combat. I think that they like to get face to face to whoever they is going toe to toe with.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM is now playing in theaters.

In this third installment of the adrenaline-fueled action franchise, super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.