Lockdown appears in Transformers: Age of Extinction as the primary antagonist. Lockdown is a bounty hunter who has travelled to Earth in search of his bounty: Optimus Prime. He has allied himself with the CIA unit Cemetery Wind in order to do this. In exchange for their efforts, he gives them a Seed. Despite being a high-point in the film, he suffers on account of bad writing; lacking in backstory, consistency and development. Nonetheless, this piece will focus on attributing him a credible profile.

He is introduced about twenty minutes into the film. As previously said, he lacks a backstory and is simply present. There is no context on his arrival to Earth, negotiating with the CIA, and the terms of their contract. Why does he need the CIA? There is no provided reason. But one can assume it was an act of diplomacy to avoid conflict. This is also an example of Lockdown’s intent.

Lockdown interrogates the Autobot Ratchet after he is subdued by the CIA. Though he learns nothing, the audience does learn something. Lockdown is a unique villain because he doesn’t identify with the Autobots or Decepticons, but instead the ambiguous Creators. He is a witness of the damage their war has wrought across the cosmos. To him, both sides are wrong. Instead of joining the war, he is obligated to assume a level of responsibility for it. He takes Ratchet’s spark (soul) as a trophy.

His job as a bounty hunter also extends to restoring order to the universe. There is no clear explanation as to whether this is a self-appointed task, or a task bestowed on him by the Creators. But it is likely the latter because it correlates with their plans, ‘we all work for someone.’ As a result of his service, he has become privy to their cosmic plan, seeing a grander picture. What does the job involve? Presumably, capturing Autobots/Decepticons, among other species and imprisoning them on his ship. Also providing him good sport.

The character implements his particular brand of justice, which involves the absence of trial. He acts as judge, jury and prison warden. As seen in his treatment of Optimus. These actions aren’t condoned by the Creators. Also being oppressors, it is likely they could relate. It could also be argued that Lockdown is fighting his own personal war against the two Transformer factions.

In addition to order, vengeance is also a strong motivator. He holds Optimus Prime in contempt for rebellion against the Creators. This extends to him subverting the exploration Knightship, in a cruel twist of irony, into his personal prison. He also takes pride in his accomplishments, symbolising his success as a bounty hunter. His skillset, making him desirable.

Despite his profession, his reward for capturing Prime isn’t stated. Nor is the consequence of his failure. This raises the question: what do the Creators want from Prime? They want his freedom and obedience, ‘I am slave to no one,’ he retorts. Freedom is one of the founding principles of Optimus Prime. It is something he probably plans on asserting to them in the sequels.

Lockdown’s defining trait is his indifference to others. ‘I also have a saying. “I don’t care”.’ This indifference is seen during his killing of human characters, and the civilians caught in his destruction of Beijing. This reflects Decepticon behaviour. Unlike the Autobots, he doesn’t build attachments. He is impersonal and distant, also unlikable which works in favour of his reputation. He has had the experience of encountering many different races, but the impression of their self-importance makes his indifference a coping strategy.

A flaw that he carries is that he lacks initiative. Throughout the film, he is dependent on the CIA. And typically uses them as a front to ambush his targets from a distance. Despite this, he is perfectly capable of holding his own against Optimus Prime. Beside Optimus Prime and Ratchet, it is not clear how many other Transformers he helped hunt.

It is unclear what happens to the Knightship after his death.