How ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Tops Off One of Hollywood’s Most Memorable Action Franchise in Recent Memory

If you’re a fan of the John Wick franchise, then it’s easy to shrug off the oft-peddled, reductive plot line that it’s about a man who goes on a rampage to avenge the death of his dog.

While it’s undoubtedly part of what drives the relentless action (and violence) of the four movies released so far – with John Wick: Chapter 4 now streaming on Lionsgate Play in India – there’s a lot more to the universe created by writer and producer Derek Kolstad starting from 2012.

With the fifth installment already being in development since 2020, the latest chapter in the hitman’s travails and adventures has elevated the Keanu Reeves-starrer into legendary action film brackets. In an age of cliched fight scenes and overdone stunts and shock value in action sequences, John Wick: Chapter 4 seems to build up on its decade-long legacy and go from strength to strength to outdo itself.

As some critics noted, the violence is gratuitous and that’s perhaps not even the closest we can come to describing it. If we thought Wick was left for dead at the end of Chapter 3: Parabellum (2019), he’s come back stronger than ever and the followers of the franchise were clearly there for it. While Reeves’ most lauded role as an action hero arguably came with The Matrix movies, where he took on the role of Neo, John Wick gave him a chance to cement a new reputation of an unstoppable hitman.

One of the key ways that John Wick continues to excite fans and bring in new cinema buffs to the fold is the way it seemingly draws from video game-like storylines, adding twists and turns when it’s least anticipated. Then, of course, there’s the execution of said storylines and sequences, with cinematography and stunts that have understandably left many a mouth agape. Speeding cars, camels and a megaton of weapons are in the mix, which delight at every turn for any action film fan.

Wick takes on the High Table and Marquis de Gramont (portrayed by Bill Skarsgård) and the high-adrenaline journey that the action hero takes to reaching the boss may not be wholly original but again, the execution and finesse to the action is where John Wick: Chapter 4 stands out.

Fans have been poring every detail of Reeves’ character, plus everyone and everything else that’s part of the John Wick universe – from cars to action sequences to choice of guns, tattoos and the gothic look of certain settings. As with any successful film franchise, it’s never too late to dive into John Wick and starting anywhere would be just as fun.

Watch ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ here.