After years of silence since the 2017 reboot, the Baywatch franchise makes a surprising and splashy return with Baywatch 4 — a sequel that leans harder into action-comedy while bringing back familiar faces and introducing new ones to carry the torch of lifeguard heroism.
Set several years after the events of Baywatch 3: Deep Waters (fictional), this fourth installment reunites Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Mitch Buchannon and Zac Efron as the ever-evolving Matt Brody. This time, the stakes are higher than ever, as the once laid-back beaches of Emerald Coast are being targeted by a corrupt tech billionaire who plans to privatize the entire coastline and convert it into an exclusive resort for the ultra-rich.
When a mysterious series of drownings and disappearances plague the beach, Mitch is called out of retirement, teaming up with a new generation of lifeguards — including rising star Jada Cruz (played by Zendaya), hacker-turned-lifeguard RJ (Noah Centineo), and a comeback role from Kelly Rohrbach as C.J. Parker. Together, this team must expose the conspiracy and stop the villain before their beach is lost forever.
Baywatch 4 hits the mark in blending nostalgia with modern energy. Fans of the original show and previous films will appreciate callbacks to classic slow-mo runs, over-the-top rescue scenes, and tongue-in-cheek humor. But the new cast brings fresh dynamics and diversity that help modernize the franchise’s formula.
Dwayne Johnson remains the anchor — effortlessly mixing physical presence with comedic timing. Zac Efron brings depth to Matt Brody, now more mature but still haunted by ego and his past. Zendaya shines as the sharp, brave, and fiercely independent lifeguard who challenges the old guard’s methods with high-tech ideas and heart.
The action sequences are absurd in the best way — jet-ski chases, underwater fight scenes, and even a lifeguard drone duel. Director Justin Lin (fictional assignment) handles the set pieces with flair, making the film feel more like Fast & Furious on the beach than traditional lifeguarding.
Make no mistake — Baywatch 4 is not here to be taken seriously. The plot borders on ridiculous at times, the villain (played with hammy joy by Pedro Pascal) is cartoonishly evil, and the film leans heavily into fan service and absurd humor. But that's part of its charm.
It knows exactly what it is: a big, fun, self-aware summer blockbuster with abs, action, and outrageous slow-motion shots of people running toward danger.
The film ends with a wink — a post-credits scene reveals an international lifeguard summit being attacked by eco-terrorists, setting up the potential Baywatch: Global Surge, where Mitch and his team could be forced to travel across the globe to protect beaches worldwide.
Baywatch 4 is everything you expect from the franchise — sexy, silly, sun-drenched, and full of action. It may not win awards, but it will win laughs and applause from fans looking for a good time at the movies.
