The Elder is the mysterious head of the High Table, a mystical man who resides in the desert, and the overarching antagonist of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. He is portrayed by Saïd Taghmaoui.
History
On the run from the High Table following his killing of Santino D'Antonio, John Wick travels to the Moroccan desert and follows the Canis Minor constellation to find the Elder in order to seek penance. After passing out from dehydration, John is found by some of the Elder's men and brought to his tent, where the Elder has John presented to him. After John wakes up, the Elder asks him why he wishes to live to which John replies that it is because he wishes to remember his late wife Helen. The Elder tells him that his excommunicado and bounty will be revoked on the condition that he kills Winston, who had refused to show fealty to the High Table and give up his position as manager of the Continental, and that he will serve the High Table for the rest of his life. The Elder has a board with a knife on it handed to John and asks him to demonstrate his fealty. John then cuts off his finger and gives his wedding ring on the finger to the Elder. John reluctantly accepts the mission and is led into a room in the Elder's tent where a new suit is waiting for him to help him carry out the task.