Introduction to John Wick (film)

Book excerpt: The film 'John Wick' is a 2014 American neo-noir action thriller directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad. The film stars Keanu Reeves in the titular role as John Wick, a retired hitman who seeks vengeance for the killing of his beloved dog, Daisy. The film is set in New York City, where John Wick is a legendary assassin known as "the boogeyman," but after finding love and leaving the criminal underworld behind, he leads a peaceful life with his wife. After her death from an illness, Wick receives a final gift from her, a beagle puppy named Daisy, who becomes his only companion. However, when a group of Russian mobsters led by a man named Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) break into his home, beat him, and kill Daisy before stealing his car, Wick emerges from retirement to track them down and take revenge. The film adopts a visually stylized aesthetic with action sequences that blend martial arts choreography, gunfights, and car chases. Its success has been attributed to its engaging protagonist, its gritty and grounded approach, its focus on practical stunts and effects, and its inclusion of world-building elements, such as the network of assassins and the Continental hotel. The film's critical and commercial success spawned two sequels, 'John Wick: Chapter 2' (2017) and 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum' (2019), as well as other media adaptations in the form of comic books and video games.