WhenKeanu Reevesuttered the phrase “I’m thinking I’m back” in the trailer for the firstJohn Wickfilm, it seemed like a self-aware quip intended to kickstart a self-aware homage to his career in the style ofThe ExpendablesorRed. That is almost certainly not whatChad Stahelskicreated; viewers expecting jokes and gags may have been shocked to watch a heartbreaking story about a man who is mourning the loss of his wife, and only experiences another tragedy when his new puppy is killed by vicious gangsters. John may be talented at causing violence, but he doesn’t seem to enjoy it. In fact, the franchise has continued because John keeps getting drawn back into conflicts that he desperately wants to move on from.It’s this tragic element of the character that elevates theJohn Wicksaga over the other action franchises of its time.
Reeves may not be traditionally considered to be a “serious actor,” but in the past, he’s shownhis range in underrated classicslikeRiver’s EdgeandDangerous Liaisons. Nevertheless, anyone who knew Reeves only by the memes attached to him couldn’t have expected him to give such a richly nuanced performance. It’s easy to forget that the firstJohn Wickfeels like a straight-up drama for the first 20 minutes; John’s wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan) died of an unpreventable illness. John has no one to punish but himself; the death of his dog comes at a moment when he was at his most tormented. Yet,it’s his instinctive response to use his skills for something (as there was nothing he could have done to prevent Helen’s death) that drags him back into an underworld of violence, criminals, and killers.
Sadly, this tragic element of the character is one that Reeves has been burdened with himself.Shortly before shooting was scheduled to begin onThe Matrix ReloadedandThe Matrix Revolutions, Reeves’ romantic partner Jennifer Symewas tragically killedin a car accident. The couple had only recently reconciled after their first child together was stillborn. While in the years since he’s been the subject of “sad Keanu” memes and the target of an elaborate Internet fanbase, Reeves has only put his celebrity status to good use, taking part inthe St. Jude’s Foundationto help children with disabilities. There’s an element of this earnestness that is essential to theJohn Wickfranchise. John has suffered significant tragedy within his life, but continues to move forward when everyone doubts him.
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who killed his dog and stole his car.
The John Wick Franchise Works Because John Doesn’t Have a Choice
This conceit was essential tothe shocking success of the firstJohn Wickin 2014. At this stage in his career, Reeves had been in a downward spiral: his post-Matrixcareer led to a series of forgettable romantic comedies, the embarrassingThe Day The Earth Stood Stillremake, and the loss of the box office draw he had initially generated.John Wickwas directed by former stuntmen Chad StahelskiandDavid Leitch, and initially was planned for simultaneous release on video-on-demand services. Reeves wasn’t going to distinguish himself by lampooning himself—he gave the role his complete attention and delivered a new action classic that suddenly launched dozens of imitators.
Yet, all themovies that have tried to follow theJohn Wickformuladon’t seem to understand the devastating sorrow at their center.Take the recent hitNobodyfor example, which was produced by the same creative team and reiterated the narrative of a retired hitman returning to his roots.Bob Odenkirkcertainly does a lot of impressive stunt work and the film is completely enthralling on a visceral level, but Odenkirk’s character Hutch Mansell is motivated by his desire to prove himself and return to something he loves. It doesn’t makeNobodyunsuccessful as an action-thriller, but the rare moments when Hutch expresses vulnerability feel like distractions in an otherwise action-packed story.
At the same time,John Wickevolves into something that’s not a simple revenge saga.John’s only initial goal was to get back his car and avenge his dog; he certainly did not expect that he would be involved in an uprising within the Continental and the High Table that would lead him across the globe taking out enemies. In each subsequent film, John is content with being at peace; inJohn Wick: Chapter 2, he spares the life of the gangster Abram Tarasov (Peter Stormare) in an attempt to put an end to his mission. He intends for the death of Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) to be his last mission before violating the Continental’s rule of non-violence makes him the target of the High Table when he’s declared “excommunicado.” InJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - ParabellumandJohn Wick: Chapter 4,he’s barely granted the opportunity to breathe.
John Wick Just Wants Peace
Perhaps it’s Reeves’ incredible dedication to the stunt work that distracts from how mannered his performance is in all four films. John is silent and stoic, but not because he’s the type of brooding, hypermasculine killer of aZack Snydermovie. He’s constantly mourning and loses friends such as Marcus (Willem Dafoe) and Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada) along the way.The films work because even with all the intense action sequences where John is brutally killing enemies, they clearly care about their characters.
A recent death affected theJohn Wickuniversewhen the brilliant actorLance Reddick,who co-stars as Charon in all four films, passed away unexpectedly. Reddick’s death occurred afterJohn Wick: Chapter 4had screened for press and preview audiences, but before the film was released publicly. Charon is killed early on in the film, and as a result, Wick’s mourning over him feels like a tribute to a beloved screen icon. Treating the death of a major franchise character madeJohn Wick: Chapter 4a vessel for fans of Reddick’s to cope with their grief.
TheJohn Wicksagadoesn’t go the same route as other major action flicks of peppering in one-liners, and John himself isn’t taking pleasure in what he has to do. The franchise recognizes how the weight of death affects its hero, which is often lost in other big-budget action films.The tragic heart of this series is why it’s become the action franchise of its time.
John Wickis now available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
