‘John Wick’ Recap: What You Need to Know Before ‘Ballerina’

The initial film spinoff within the “John Wick” series is rapidly approaching. In “Ballerina,” Ana de Armas portrays Eve, one of the ballet-skilled assassins we were introduced to in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” This movie follows Eve as she embarks on a personal quest for vengeance reminiscent of John Wick’s, leading her directly into conflict with John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) himself.

The folklore and storytelling within the ‘John Wick’ film series is richer than one might expect from a collection of movies that initially revolved around a man seeking revenge against criminal underworld figures who wronged his beloved dog. In case you’ve missed any of these films, we’re here to fill you in. Our freshly released ‘John Wick’ video serves as a comprehensive guide, covering John Wick himself, the Continental, the Ruska Roma, and much more. Catch it below:

If you enjoyed the video summarizing the entire John Wick series before Ballerina, don’t miss out on more of our videos! Check them out below, including one discussing the ending of John Wick: Chapter 4 and its implications for the franchise, a detailed analysis of all the Easter eggs in the first episode of the John Wick spinoff show The Continental, and a fun video filled with lesser-known trivia about John Wick. You can find even more videos on our ScreenCrush YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes! Ballerina will be in theaters this Friday.

The 10 Best Action Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Avengement (2019)

Over the past 15 years, no actor has starred in more straightforward action films than Scott Adkins. He’s been featured in high-budget Hollywood projects (such as playing one of Mads Mikkelsen’s henchmen in Doctor Strange), but he’s primarily worked on direct-to-video (now direct-to-streaming) action thrillers. A prime example of his straightforward, action-packed style can be seen in the movie Avengement, where Adkins, collaborating frequently with director Jesse V. Johnson, portrays an ex-convict on a highly personal mission of revenge against his own brother. The slightly comical title might deceive you, but this is actually a gritty and brutal little film.

9. The Fall Guy (2024)

Just like an aging muscle car with poor brakes, once The Fall Guy gets moving, it just keeps going. Its most thrilling scenes possess the same captivating vitality as a classic Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical about putting on a show. It’s so heartwarmingly enthusiastic about the allure of cinema that it makes you yearn to create your own film or simply watch one.

However, it’s important to note that the phrase “movie magic” may not fully encompass the truth. To viewers, when a film resonates with us like The Fall Guy, it feels magical. But for the filmmakers, crafting that magic involves a mix of deception and grueling effort, much of which is attributed to the unsung heroes beneath the line, as this series does.

At one point in the story, Emily Blunt’s character, Jody Moreno, director, tells Ryan Gosling’s character, Colt Seavers, stuntman, that she wants their action sequences to embody the question “How far would you go for the one you love?” If “the one” is replaced with the euphoria of exceptional cinema, then you have the driving force behind this highly enjoyable movie.

8. Rebel Ridge (2024)

In 2024, Aaron Pierre was expected to be a standout in Hollywood for his compelling portrayal of an honest Marine entangled with corrupt cops in the film “Rebel Ridge”. However, when it premiered on Netflix among twelve other films in September that year, he didn’t quite achieve this level of acclaim. This doesn’t diminish Pierre’s exceptional performance or the fact that director Jeremy Saulnier, known for “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room”, delivered another gripping action movie. The film was akin to “First Blood”, but with a contemporary twist. Unlike most action films, the protagonist, a Marine martial arts instructor falsely accused by a crooked police chief, attempts peaceful resolutions whenever possible. Fortunately for us viewers, he is not always successful in these efforts.

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (2019)

Every minute of “John Wick: Chapter 3” is breathtaking, but the film’s initial 40 minutes, during which Keanu Reeves’ unstoppable assassin flees New York City (both in terms of physical escape through running, biking, and horseback riding, and also a figurative flight as he literally kills a man with a book), might be the most intense, cinematic work from the past decade. John Wick, though you may have been excommunicated, you’ve certainly not diminished my admiration. I anticipate we’ll cross paths again soon, at least on this list.

6. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

Discussing the intricate, mind-bending plots and death-defying stunts in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which surpassed even those in Rogue Nation; director Christopher McQuarrie’s previous masterpiece. However, all this is mere embellishment for what truly sets Mission: Impossible – Fallout apart.

In an era where popular culture often leans towards cynicism, Tom Cruise stands out as a genuinely sincere artist. He could have easily relied on stuntmen or digital effects, but he doesn’t because he has faith in his films and his audience. This fervor permeates every scene of this unapologetically enjoyable and genuine action film. As evidence, Cruise broke his ankle while performing the stunt depicted in this image. Despite the injury, he completed the shot, which made it into the final cut of the movie.

5. Bad Black (2016)

Despite its rough, exuberant, and thrilling nature, “Bad Black” is not a comedic disaster like Tommy Wiseau’s work. Instead, it’s more like a powerful adrenaline rush injected directly into your system. Director Nabwana I.G.G. kicks off the movie with an epic 10-minute chase and shootout through the streets of Wakaliga, and the action seldom slows for the next hour. The editing is fast-paced yet understandable, the stunts are impressively acrobatic, the depiction of life in Uganda is engaging, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved is incredibly contagious. Essentially, this film isn’t so bad it’s good – it’s so good it’s “Bad Black.

4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

In the John Wick series, whether it’s ending or not with Chapter 4 is debatable, but what’s certain is that it reached its peak – almost literally so, as Keanu Reeves’ character John Wick battles his way up an immense staircase leading to Paris’ Sacré-Cœur church in the movie’s finale. Spanning three hours, filled with action sequences so memorable they could have been from three movies, John Wick: Chapter 4 sees its titular character traversing the globe, seeking a means to finally put an end to his brutal conflict with the High Table. Reeves again demonstrates his ability to play a balletic and emotional anti-hero, this time teaming up with the series’ strongest cast of action stars yet: Scott Adkins, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, and particularly Donnie Yen as the blind swordsman/assassin Caine. I can’t fathom how Reeves and director Chad Stahelski could surpass this achievement, but I would be thrilled to witness them attempting it again.

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

In today’s era, it might seem challenging to imagine a more unnecessary film than a sequel to Top Gun in the 2020s. However, through sheer determination and an impressive dedication to traditional cinematic techniques, director Joseph Kosinski and star-producer Tom Cruise managed to create a Top Gun sequel that was not only action-packed and enjoyable but also resonated with our contemporary world – perhaps not on political grounds, but certainly on the necessity of visually stunning content that can only be experienced on a grand scale. In today’s context, such an approach could indeed be considered a bold move.

2. RRR (2022)

This Indian movie, titled “RRR”, overwhelms your brain’s pleasure centers with a three-hour extravaganza of spectacle, romance, music, and thrilling action sequences. Essentially, it’s like a modern-day South Asian adaptation of an old John Woo action film, featuring two exceptionally powerful characters, one being Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.), a warrior from the Gond tribe, and the other being Rama (Ram Charan), a member of the British Empire’s military forces. In Delhi, Bheem is on a mission to find a kidnapped girl, while Rama is tasked with tracking down the mysterious man searching for her. Despite their initial enmity, a strange coincidence transforms them into unexpected allies. The audacity of “RRR” in engaging its audience cannot be overstated, and the seamless blend of fighting and dancing sequences is truly remarkable.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Fury Road” stands out as an exceptional car chase movie from the past decade, even the entire century. Its action sequences are impressive, but what really sets it apart is its spiritual and Biblical themes. It’s a modern-day exodus story, where a band of courageous women, led by the iconic Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron), journey through the desert in search of a new paradise. Tom Hardy’s character, Max, guides them like a mad Moses. Although he helps them find safety, he can never be part of it himself. George Miller’s chaotic masterpiece demonstrates that action movies can not only be exciting but also thought-provoking. If someone tries to convince you otherwise, you can confidently say, “That’s nonsense.

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2025-06-04 17:55