John Wick is a stylish action thriller starring Keanu Reeves as the titular character, a retired hitman mourning the recent death of his wife. She leaves him a final giftβa puppy named Daisyβto help him cope with his grief. However, his quiet life is shattered when a group of Russian gangsters, led by Iosef Tarasov, break into his home, steal his car, and kill the dog. This brutal act triggers Johnβs return to his violent past.
What the gangsters donβt realize is that John Wick is a legendary assassin, feared throughout the criminal underworld. Once known as βBaba Yagaβ (the Boogeyman), he comes out of retirement to seek revenge. His vendetta leads him back into the dark world of professional killers, where he uses his lethal skills to systematically hunt down those responsible.
As the story unfolds, weβre introduced to the unique criminal underworld, including the Continental Hotelβa safe haven for assassinsβwith its own strict code of conduct. Johnβs former employer, Viggo Tarasov (Iosefβs father), tries to stop him, knowing full well what John is capable of. This results in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with John facing off against countless enemies in his quest for justice.
The film is known for its sleek cinematography, expertly choreographed fight scenes, and minimalistic yet emotionally powerful storytelling. John Wick revitalized Keanu Reevesβ action career and launched a successful franchise praised for raising the bar in modern action filmmaking. Itβs not just a revenge storyβitβs a world-building masterpiece that redefines the assassin genre.