I walked into John Wick 4 expecting another solid action flick. What I got instead left me conflicted for days.
This movie has everyone arguing. My friends can’t agree on it. Critics are split down the middle. Some people left the theater calling it the best action film they’ve ever seen. Others, like my brother, checked their watch multiple times during the nearly three-hour runtime.
I needed to process what I watched before writing this. After sitting with it, I’m ready to share my honest take.
I’ll tell you what blew my mind, what frustrated me, and whether you should spend your evening watching Keanu Reeves fight for 169 minutes.
John Wick: Chapter 4 at a Glance
John Wick 4 splits audiences with its ambitious scale. This review examines whether the action epic succeeds or collapses under excess.
Basic Film Details
Chad Stahelski returned to direct this fourth installment, released in March 2023. Shay Hatten and Michael Finch wrote the screenplay, building on the world that’s grown massively since the first film in 2014.
This is the biggest John Wick movie yet. After three films of escalating chaos, fans expected something massive. The question was whether it could land successfully or collapse under its own weight.
What Is John Wick 4 About? (Spoiler-Free Overview)
John is still fighting the High Table, that shadowy organization that controls the assassin underworld. He’s been running and killing for three movies in a row. He’s exhausted. We’re exhausted watching him.
The High Table offers him a way out: single combat. One final duel. Win, and he gets his freedom. Lose, and well, you can guess.
It sounds simple. Nothing in John Wick’s world ever is.
Critical Reception: How Critics Have Responded
Critics are divided on John Wick 4. Some praise the action spectacle while others question the bloated runtime and thin story.
Praise from Professional Film Critics
Critics can’t stop raving about the fight scenes. The action choreography operates on a different level than typical Hollywood fare. Every punch and gunshot feels deliberate.
The stunt work is incredible. I watched sequences wondering how they filmed them without injuries. Keanu trained for months, and it shows.
The scale is massive. Paris, Berlin, Osaka, New York. The setpieces get wilder as the film progresses. Many critics said it demands the biggest screen possible.
Common Criticisms
The runtime is rough. Two hours and 49 minutes. Several critics admitted feeling restless. I felt it too, especially when the plot stalls.
The story is thin. John wants freedom. People attack him. He fights back. Repeat for three hours. Some found this exhausting.
The realism breaks down. John survives things that would kill anyone multiple times over. Critics either embraced the cartoonish violence or couldn’t move past how absurd it became.
Action & Craftsmanship: The Film’s Greatest Strength
John Wick 4 excels in action craftsmanship. The choreography, stunts, and cinematography create some of the best sequences in modern cinema.
Choreography, Stunts, and Cinematography
This is where John Wick 4 shines. The camera stays back and lets you see everything. No shaky cam. No rapid cuts hiding sloppy work. Just clean, brutal action in long takes.
You can follow every movement. The precision is remarkable. Wide shots show the full chaos. Close-ups capture every hit. It’s a violent ballet.
Standout Action Sequences
The Osaka Continental fight is incredible. Neon lights, glass walls, and non-stop combat through multiple floors. It sets the bar high early on.
The Arc de Triomphe sequence is pure chaos. Cars spinning while John dodges traffic and bullets. I held my breath the entire time.
The overhead third-act set piece is what people will remember. Shot from directly above, it plays like a violent video game level. Creative, intense, and unlike anything in modern action cinema.
Performances: Who Carries the Film
Keanu Reeves commits physically but says little. The supporting cast, especially Donnie Yen, brings depth to an action-heavy story.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick
Keanu throws himself into the physical demands completely. He’s 58 doing stunts that would wreck younger actors. The commitment is impressive.
But he barely speaks. John grunts, bleeds, and fights with maybe a dozen lines of dialogue. He’s become more of an icon than a character. A force of nature in a suit.
That works for some. Others miss the emotional weight from earlier films.
Supporting Cast Highlights
Donnie Yen steals the movie as Caine, a blind assassin and John’s old friend. He brings real emotion and conflict. Critics called him the film’s secret weapon.
Bill Skarsgård plays the Marquis, the main villain. He’s cold and calculating but doesn’t get enough screen time.
The new characters expand the world in interesting ways. Some land better than others, but they keep things feeling alive and dangerous.
Story, Themes & World-Building
John wants out. He’s been stuck in this cycle of violence for four movies. Every kill leads to another.
Every fight costs him more. The film asks if he can ever truly escape his past or if he’s doomed to die fighting.
The High Table rules get complicated here. The lore expands with new codes, councils, and consequences.
Sometimes it adds depth. Other times it feels like the movie makes up rules just to create another action sequence. The mythology strains under its own weight.
How John Wick: Chapter 4 Compares to the Franchise
Most critics agree it’s better than Chapter 3. Parabellum felt like setup without payoff. This one delivers bigger stakes and better action.
Does it beat the original? That’s where people split. The first film had tight pacing and emotional weight at 101 minutes. Chapter 4 is nearly three hours of spectacle. Some think the ambition makes it superior. Others prefer the original’s lean storytelling.
Most critics rank it second overall. The action is the best we’ve seen, but the first film’s balance remains unmatched. It’s the most impressive John Wick movie, not necessarily the best.
Conclusion
I left the theater exhausted but impressed. If you love action cinema and appreciate stunt work as an art form, this is mandatory viewing. The craftsmanship alone makes it worth your time.
But if you need strong characters and tight storytelling, you’ll check your phone. The runtime drags, and the thin plot wears itself out.
See it in theaters if you go. This film was built for the big screen. Watching it at home won’t have the same impact. The scale demands it.
My honest take? It’s a flawed masterpiece of action. Not perfect, but absolutely worth experiencing once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Wick 4 appropriate for kids?
No, this film is rated R for intense violence throughout. The action is brutal and graphic, making it suitable only for mature audiences who can handle extreme combat scenes.
How long is John Wick: Chapter 4?
The runtime is 2 hours and 49 minutes, making it the longest film in the franchise. Be prepared for a lengthy theater experience that some viewers find exhausting.
Do I need to watch the previous John Wick movies first?
Yes, you should watch at least the first three films to understand the story and stakes. Chapter 4 builds directly on previous events and assumes you know the characters and world.
Is John Wick 4 the last movie in the series?
The film provides closure to John’s story, though spinoffs are in development. Whether Keanu Reeves returns for another sequel remains unclear, but this feels like a proper ending.
What makes John Wick 4 different from other action movies?
The choreography uses long takes with minimal cuts, letting you see every move clearly. The commitment to practical stunts and real locations sets it apart from CGI-heavy blockbusters.
