⚠️ Gore Warning: This film contains graphic violence, including intense fight scenes, brutal kills, and disturbing imagery. Viewer discretion is advised.

Let’s start out with a few trailers:

Yeah if y’all can’t tell from those trailers, it’s definitely action-packed. Anyways let’s start the review, shall we…

Non-Spoiler Rundown:

This review’s layout is a little different. We’ll start with the plot and then get into the character breakdown, pros/cons, and a spoiler deep-dive. This is the longest entry in the franchise, clocking in at a whopping 2 hours and 49 minutes — and you feel every minute.

Plot Summary:

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is still on the run, and the consequences from the last film finally catch up. The Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), a sadistic and rule-breaking member of the High Table, wants to erase John Wick’s name from the world — along with anyone who has ever helped him. After the destruction of the Continental New York and the heartbreaking death of Charon (Lance Reddick), John sets off on a journey through Japan, Berlin, and Paris to earn his freedom through a sacred duel.

Characters (with Actor Mentions):

• John Wick (Keanu Reeves) – Once again plays a man of few words…like barely any. His performance is more physical than vocal, which in this film becomes a bit distracting due to long pauses and monotone delivery.
• BTW can we talk about the way he speaks, oh lord the way he speaks. Every line he says it sounds like he’s asking a question or is confused, like for example “I’m…..gonna……kill, u?”
• Winston (Ian McShane) – Tries to maneuver within the High Table’s rules and remains John’s most loyal ally. His scenes always carry gravitas.
• Charon (Lance Reddick) – Tragically killed off early in the film, which hit extra hard since Lance Reddick passed away in real life just before the movie released. It’s eerily coincidental and emotionally crushing.
• Caine (Donnie Yen) – A blind assassin forced out of retirement to protect his daughter. Donnie brings energy and a great performance, but his ultra-competence sometimes makes him feel less believable. He’s almost too good.
• Mr. Nobody (Shamier Anderson) – A bounty hunter with a dog and a love for negotiations. He’s new, unique, and has surprising depth for a character introduced this late in the series.
• The Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) – Absolutely hateable, which makes him perfect. A manipulative coward hiding behind rules and power. Rooting for his demise was never hard.
• The Harbinger (Clancy Brown) – A quiet but powerful presence as the adjudicator of the duel.
• Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) – Manager of the Osaka Continental. Dies honorably and delivers one of the most emotional scenes.
• Akira (Rina Sawayama) – Shimazu’s daughter and concierge. Fierce and deserving of more screen time.

Pros:

• Incredible cinematography and color work — some scenes are absolutely stunning.
• Action choreography is jaw-dropping, especially the top-down flaming gunfight.
• The emotional stakes feel higher than ever.
• Great world-building with new characters and lore.

Cons:

• Keanu’s line delivery is almost robotic. “I’m… gonna… kill… you…” Okay, dude.
• Some action sequences drag on way too long (20+ minutes).
• The film sometimes sacrifices logic for cool moments. (More on that in spoilers.)

Rating: 8.4/10

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⚠️ Spoilers Ahead Y’all Been Warned ⚠️

The film opens with Winston’s hotel being destroyed and Charon being killed by the Marquis. It’s a brutal reminder that actions have consequences in this universe. The Marquis begins eliminating everyone tied to John, including friends and former allies.

Caine is blackmailed into hunting John or his daughter dies. It leads to a stunning but devastating scene in Japan where Caine is forced to kill his old friend Shimazu. Akira survives and swears revenge, which may set up a spin-off.

We meet Mr. Nobody, a new bounty hunter with a dog and a price tag. At first he wants the bounty, but after John saves his dog, he shifts loyalties. Yes — John Wick’s dog karma pays off again.

John must earn the right to duel the Marquis by reclaiming his family crest in Berlin. To do so, he has to kill a grotesque mob boss at a rave — a boss he literally shoots up the butt and down the stairs. And yes, everyone in the club keeps dancing while the murder-fest happens around them.

Eventually, John challenges the Marquis to a duel. The terms: he must survive the night and arrive at the church by sunrise. This leads to a 30-minute action gauntlet through Paris, including a 222-step staircase fight and a moment where John FALLS FROM AN 8-STORY BUILDING onto a van, then bounces onto pavement… and walks it off. Yeah, nah. That’s when our suspension of disbelief jumped off a rooftop too.

He makes it to the duel with Caine. They shoot each other three times at close range. John holds his final shot, letting the Marquis take it instead. But in classic Wick fashion, it’s a trick. John shoots the Marquis in the head.

Wick wins. He’s free. He sits on the church steps, bleeds out, thinks of his wife, and dies.

The final shot is of his tombstone, with Winston and the Bowery King saying goodbye.

Post-Credit Scene: Akira is seen approaching Caine with a knife, setting up future revenge.

Final Thoughts: This was a satisfying conclusion — if it is the conclusion. It ties up Wick’s story with consequences, closure, and chaos. But of course, a John Wick 5 is already in discussion because… money. Classic.

Would rage-roll down 200 stairs again.