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John Wick

John Wick

Don't set him off.

2014101 minRMidcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
Director
Chad Stahelski
Starring
Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe

Ex-hitman John Wick comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.

Where to watch

Where can I watch John Wick?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists John Wick streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about John Wick?

John Wick earns 9 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

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  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is John Wick worth watching?

John Wick's Midcredits score is the 95th percentile of all films, from 2.9M ratings across 6 sources. 83% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

95th percentile

Better received than 95% of films

97th percentile among Action95th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)93rd
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

76 /100

93rd percentile of all films

97th percentile among Action93rd percentile among 2010s

Critics 68 · Audience 77

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.7 — solid but not unanimous.

83% liked it

93rd percentile of all films

95th percentile among Action94th percentile among 2010s
83% rated it 7–1017% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 5 wins / 11 noms overall

99th percentile

2.9M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$20M
Opening weekend$14M
Domestic gross$43M
Worldwide gross$86M

Returned 4.3× its budget — 83rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A simple, stylized revenge thriller driven by visceral action rather than narrative depth.

Fans praised

  • Exceptional fight choreography and gun-fu
  • Clear, steady camerawork with no shaky-cam
  • Keanu Reeves perfectly cast as the stoic, lethal anti-hero

Detractors panned

  • Paper-thin plot and minimal character development
  • Unrealistic invincibility of the protagonist
  • Repetitive, numbing violence

What stands out

Cinematography80

Sleek, neo-noir visual style

Pacing78

Relentless, no downtime

Effects and spectacle75

Practical stunts and precise gunplay

Atmosphere75

Immersion in shadowy assassin underworld

Acting72

Reeves' stoic presence works; supporting cast solid but underused

OriginalityDivisive55

Familiar revenge plot but fresh stunt-driven execution

Characters40

Thinly written; Wick is a force but lacks depth, villains are flat

Plot and story35

Minimal, straightforward revenge setup

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 8 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 9 points apart
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is John Wick like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you satisfied.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseCathartic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its high-concept revenge premise completely straight, treating the violent fallout with solemnity and emotional weight.
The rideThe film maintains high tension from the opening loss, escalating through violent set pieces, but it remains consistently intense rather than swinging wildly.
StructureThe film follows a conventional linear narrative from the inciting incident to the final confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Satisfied.

Cathartic · 6% of filmsFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer satisfied by the visceral action and the completion of a straightforward revenge arc, with a sense of emotional release.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeJohn Wick, a retired hitman, returns to the criminal underworld to take revenge on the Russian mob boss and his son after they kill his dog and steal his car, making the antagonist a tyrant-like figure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRevengeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% (this title) · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Revenge · 4% of filmsGrief · 6% of filmsFreedom · 5% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film is driven by John's vengeance for the killing of his puppy, a final gift from his late wife, but it also explores his grief and his struggle to remain free of his former life.
StanceThe film questions the moral cost of revenge even as it delivers it cathartically, and the consequences are ultimately personal rather than world-altering.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score
Settingthe glamorized criminal underworld of New York City, with its own rules and currency
MusicThe score blends brooding strings with heavy electronic beats to underscore the film's relentless energy.

Content guide

Is John Wick okay for kids?

R

John Wick is rated R: “Rated R for strong and bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use” (MPAA). As of August 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (92/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at severe (82/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (40/100) and frightening material at intense (70/100). Overall it is heavier than 75% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 37 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland16
  • New ZealandR16
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Argentina+18
  • Belgium16
  • BGD
  • CL14
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary18
  • IndiaA
  • Israel16
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoC
  • MOC
  • Netherlands16
  • PhilippinesR-16
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • RO18
  • Russia18+
  • SingaporeNC16
  • SK15
  • South Africa16
  • Spain18
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland16
  • Taiwan18+
  • Türkiye16+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 85% of all filmsHeavier than 75% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 89%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 12%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 77%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 49%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, language, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does John Wick have?

MovieCove's classifier found 5 depicted content warnings in John Wick: Gore or body horror (severe), Gun violence (severe), plus 3 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. 1 more is mentioned only, in dialogue or backstory (behind the spoiler gate). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horrorGun violence

Mentioned: referenced in dialogue or backstory, not shown in the story’s present.

Cast and crew

Who is in John Wick?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Keanu Reeves
as John Wick
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michael Nyqvist
as Viggo Tarasov
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Alfie Allen
as Iosef Tarasov
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Willem Dafoe
as Marcus
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dean Winters
as Avi
Adrianne Palicki
as Ms. Perkins
Omer Barnea
as Gregori
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Toby Leonard Moore
as Victor
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Daniel Bernhardt
as Kirill
Bridget Moynahan
as Helen
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like John Wick?

Movies like John Wick include John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Nobody (2021) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Derek Kolstad, and several are stories about hitmen.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its story type: revenge thriller. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with John Wick?

445 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: hitman. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.