7 Reasons Why John Wick Is Always So Popular

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The John Wick film series has significantly boosted Keanu Reeves’ status as an action cinema icon, with numerous factors contributing to why each installment in the series has been exceptionally successful. Debuting in late 2014, John Wick returned Keanu Reeves to mainstream action movie stardom for the first time in almost a decade. Although the original John Wick was initially an under-the-radar hit, its praise grew rapidly like action film legends, with more and more viewers discovering the story of the Baba Yaga even after the film had left cinemas. By the release of 2017’s John Wick: Chapter 2 and particularly 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, what initially appeared to be a strong but standalone action movie hit had evolved into the benchmark for all action films.

Chapter 5″, and with multiple “John Wick” spin-offs in development, the character of John Wick and the world he inhabits have grown into an action movie titan whose success rate is the envy of every ongoing franchise or cinematic universe. Here are seven reasons why the “John Wick” films continue to be popular and well-regarded.

1) John Wick Has Become Keanu Reeves’ Most Iconic Character

For several years, Keanu Reeves has been a prominent figure in Hollywood, leaving an enduring impact on many roles he’s played. From his adored portrayal of Ted Logan from the Bill & Ted films to his cherished depiction of John Constantine in Constantine and action movie heroes like Johnny Utah from Point Break and Jack Traven from Speed, Keanu Reeves’ characters are as well-liked as the man himself. Remarkably, he also built a significant reputation for his role as Neo in the Matrix series. However, it’s the character of Baba Yaga that has surpassed them all.

In the role of John Wick, Keanu Reeves skillfully combined an ordinary, relatable charm that masked a man seemingly ordinary on the surface, while also showcasing extraordinary agility and a deadly serious, cold-blooded determination in combat scenes. After a prolonged absence from the limelight, Reeves’ comeback in John Wick saw him reappear as an anti-hero whose individuality distinguished him from his previous iconic roles and even set him apart among most action movie protagonists. The unique blend of these qualities has solidified John Wick as Reeves’ most beloved character to date, a role that is now synonymous with the peak of action filmmaking.

2) John Wick Does the Opposite of Traditional Cinematic Universe Building

Since the Avengers first united, almost every significant studio in Hollywood has aimed to establish a cinematic universe. The John Wick series undeniably qualifies as an extensive cinematic universe, and it achieved this by doing exactly what Marvel didn’t. To start with, the initial John Wick movie subtly constructed its world through the unveiling of the Continental’s rules, but it never explicitly set up a sequel. Instead, it was simply marketed as a standalone action film with enough depth to potentially expand upon. And due to John Wick’s immense popularity, it was indeed expanded upon, but in a completely original manner.

Instead of filling each John Wick film with hidden references, setup for future movies, and hints at crossovers, the John Wick franchise chooses to keep things secretive, treating viewers as if they’ve never stepped into this world before. Each John Wick movie gradually uncovers new aspects of its universe, such as the High Table, gold coins, markers, Adjudicators, and diverse cultures coexisting within it. Since these revelations are new to the audience, each installment in the John Wick series can creatively utilize them, keeping viewers on their toes with unexpected twists. Contrary to the Marvel strategy of building a cinematic universe by hinting at future directions, John Wick opted for a different approach, leaving its audience largely unaware of where the story is heading next, sparking eagerness to return and discover the next exciting turn in the John Wick universe.

3) John Wick Himself Is Just One Compelling Character of Many in the Franchise

While the character of Baba Yaga is a prominent figure in the John Wick series, one of its standout aspects is the way it skillfully develops and uses its supporting characters. Characters like Winston Scott (portrayed by Ian McShane) and Charon (Lance Reddick), who are close associates of John’s from New York City’s Continental, have been crucial to the storyline and well-received by audiences throughout the franchise. Furthermore, a multitude of other supporting characters, both allies and adversaries of John Wick, have left lasting impressions despite having limited screen time but significant roles, such as John Leguizamo’s Aurelio, Halle Berry’s Sofia, and Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the antagonists in the John Wick series have frequently stolen the show, such as Marko Zaror’s Chidi and Scott Adkins’ Killa Harkan in John Wick: Chapter 4. Similarly, Donnie Yen‘s character Caine was a big hit with viewers in the same movie. Notably, Caine will reappear in a spin-off directed by Donnie Yen, while other characters like Zero (Mark Dacascos) and Mr. Nobody (Shamier Anderson) have also made a strong impact on audiences. This pattern is further demonstrated by Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), the protagonist of Ballerina, underscoring the fact that the John Wick universe boasts numerous memorable characters beyond John Wick’s own fame.

4) John Wick Movies Have Great Economy of Motion As Action Films

The highly successful action film series, John Wick, understands well what made it a hit initially and what its viewers anticipate in each new installment. In fact, describing each John Wick movie as exceeding expectations would be an understatement. There’s no other ongoing action movie franchise that consistently delivers top-notch, high-volume action like this one does with every release.

Essentially, each “John Wick” film delivers an abundance of gun-fu and martial arts battles without pause, and does so with remarkable finesse. The “John Wick” series excels at seamlessly blending world-building and character growth into its fast-paced action sequences. In essence, the “John Wick” movies commence with relentless action and stunts, expertly paced for maximum impact, allowing each installment to expand its universe with each new chapter. “John Wick: Chapter 4” stands out as a prime example of the series’ efficiency, managing to feel brief despite nearly three hours in length, while “Ballerina” also demonstrates exceptional skill in handling pacing, character development, world-building, and action.

5) John Wick Has Re-Defined Gun-Fu for the Modern Age

The term “gun-fu” generally brings to mind elaborate and high-impact gunfights, with filmmaker John Woo being a pioneer in this area. However, the John Wick franchise has significantly advanced and breathed life into gun-fu as an action style. The John Wick films uniquely blend gun fights with hand-to-hand combat in a stunningly innovative way of gunplay.

It’s clear that the distinctive style of “gun-fu” seen in the John Wick movies has had a significant impact on action films. When it comes to movies centered around assassins, it’s fair to say that the John Wick gun-fu technique has become almost synonymous with the genre. For contemporary viewers, there might not be a more iconic blueprint for both gun-fu and general gunplay than what is showcased in the John Wick series.

6) John Wick Lets Martial Artists Thrive Like No Other Ongoing Action Franchise

Fans of martial arts find themselves particularly captivated by the audience of the “John Wick” series, and it’s not hard to understand why. The “John Wick” franchise has expanded into a notable roster of martial arts celebrities like Donnie Yen, Mark Dacascos, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Daniel Bernhardt, Yayan Ruhian, Cecep Arif Rahman, and more. Yet, “John Wick” doesn’t just bring in well-known martial arts film actors – it strives to give them a chance to truly shine, consistently providing opportunities for their impressive skills to be showcased.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my gratitude to Chad Stahelski and the 87Eleven team for breathing life into the John Wick franchise, which has become every martial arts enthusiast’s dream come true. It stands as the perfect antidote to the disappointment caused by shaky cam and rapid editing in engaging fight sequences. In the John Wick universe, each scene is meticulously crafted with long takes, intricate choreography, and combat that is nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful. With every installment of this series, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to the art of fight choreography, offering martial arts film veterans and enthusiasts alike a sanctuary where their deepest desires for captivating martial arts sequences are fulfilled with precision and framing that rivals the Mona Lisa of martial arts.

7) John Wick Movies End on Cliffhangers, But Still Telling Singular Stories

It’s typical for franchises like the John Wick universe to employ cliffhangers to lay the groundwork for their subsequent stories and generate excitement among viewers about the next installment in the series. Unlike most, the John Wick franchise uses cliffhangers to establish a direction for each new chapter while still allowing each movie to be largely self-contained.

Following his quest for vengeance on the death of his dog in the initial “John Wick” film, the subsequent narratives of the Baba Yaga have placed him in various missions with diverse companions and adversaries. Each tale concludes with intriguing cliffhangers that hint at what’s to come next, but none leave significant unresolved plot points from the main storyline. This makes “John Wick” a remarkable series as it skillfully offers its viewers a complete experience while also leaving them wanting more without compromising on the essence of each chapter. Unlike some cliffhangers that can make audiences feel they’ve only seen half a movie, the “John Wick” franchise excels at using cliffhangers to hint at future directions, yet ensuring each installment of the Baba Yaga’s saga is self-contained and satisfying every time.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is now playing in theaters.

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2025-06-26 00:42