Chris mentions the after credits scene and how Donnie Yen might not see his daughter again due to him potentially getting murdered. I think he wouldn’t see her regardless due to him being blind.
I love that the ending has just enough mystery where you’re satisfied if they leave him dead but it’s not completely illogical if Keanu wants to come back and do another
I finally saw this with my husband today. On our way back I asked him how long the movie was exactly. He said “I dunno. Almost 3 hours?” and I just looked over at him and went, “Yeah… I think I could’ve kept watching it.” Like if John Wick 4 went on for an indefinite amount of time I simply would not mind. It was so entertaining, at points it was difficult to contain ourselves. (The scene that starts with Winston walking next to the never ending wall of paintings at the Louvre for like a whole minute was so funny to me for no reason.) Personally the idea of John choosing to die, not even as a sacrifice, but knowing he could probably live, and still kicking the bucket, is awesome. If he’s supposed to be the Baba Yaga, the boogeyman, or some personification of death, then death should be on his terms. In the first movie we see John Wick almost succumbing to similar injuries, but his wife’s voice telling them to “go home” from an old recording motivates him to live on. At the end of John Wick 4, he’s also slowly bleeding out, and asks Winston to take him “home.” He then thinks of his wife, and this time her memory motivates him to let go. It’s perfect. On a slightly different note, out of all these male action movie protagonists who tend to sleep around with beautiful women, it’s refreshing to see at least one guy who just really loved his wife and never forgot the happiness she gave him. Nothing wrong with either, but it was a nice change. Very Keanu of him.
Fantastic post - I whole heartedly agree and i agree with Chris. I have no objection to John Wick: Chapter 0 (the impossible task) but i really dont want a chapter 5, the ending was perfect.
The dog looking off screen was absolutely not a wide shot and was confirmed by the filmmakers in being part of the alternate ending of John surviving. The idea was the director wanted him dead, the studio wanted him alive so they made a happy medium.
@@San.Garcia Interview with Collider. Chad talks about filming two different endings to please the studio cuz they were iffy about having John die. I believe the alternate ending added two more shots to imply he’s alive. And the one we got was a little more definitive. Although the point of both was to let the audience decide to leave room for a sequel just in case.
There was also this look Winston gave him right when John asked to be taken home. I actually wondered why on earth is Winston so sad all of a sudden. And then I realized that after the life he led, he can probably tell if a wounded man is going to survive or not. And I agree - that's a perfect ending.
The ending was poignant and perfect as is. John went out on his own terms as a free man even though it was brief. His arc ended in a high note and it's best to leave it at that. Plus, they created this entire underworld around him and it opens up opportunities for new stories to be told within that universe.
i think a continuation with the nobody man( the man with the dog) would be thrilling, his performance was awesome, he captured every scene he was in , his fighting style is fresh aswell , where he goes stealth and uses his dog as decoy or a close fight assistant.
No it doesn't. This isn't star wars. Literally nobody cares about anyone else other than the titular character. You're just a marvel zombie, desperately clinging to "cinematic universes".
The two gunshot wounds John received are the same wounds that he gave the doctor in chapter 3, which the doctor indicated as non lethal wounds. They buried the legend, but the man remains.
*John dying* is the ultimate perfect ending - - he has no life to rebuild or continue living.. unless he faked his death and went to try and start living again without his wife.
Sorta like Gladiator...the only way Maximus could be happy in the end was to be with his wife and child. I'm surprised they didn't use a visual like that for Wick at the end...
chaburchak - ehh I agree but the whole “Vision of afterlife” has been done before countless times and could be corny.. kind of like (hot take) that goofy scene from ”The Whale”
The ending was perfect. They left enough ambiguity for us to have. To me the line where they discuss if he is in heaven or hell and the answer "who knows" will always leave a hint that he may be still alive. This one was the most memorable after the first one. The shots they've pulled off with the fire breath shotguns or the Scott Adkins cameo. I think it was this long because the creators wanted to use every idiea they had in case this is the last one. Great movie and great series.
I think a dead give away is that in all the previous films after killing the "final boss character" so to speak, they all respond to John Wick by saying, "be seeing you," before succumbing to their wounds. From the very beginning to the 3rd, all these lines to me is a clearcut statement from the writers and directors that John Wick's story was only going to end one way. John himself probably knew and this movie was about him going out on his own terms, really as good of an ending as a man who's lived that kind of life can achieve.
I agree this is a good point but also in a broader context it's really interesting as something assassins would say to each other, they'll all die the same way eventually, and that way isn't in their sleep. They might have different paths but all share a destination.
Interestingly, when I watched this movie for the 2nd time, John's death touched me more, I even teared up. It was beautiful, even poetic, sad, peaceful and plain right. Sometimes heroes just have to go, and it is a great example. The worst thing they can do to this franchise is to make prequels about younger John Wick. Keanu Reeves' acting is so fitting and his looks are so unique I just cannot imagine any other man playing him.
@@xhillwontmiss thanks for your reply fan. Well, I’m a movie celebrity actor Keanu Reeves also know as John wick. Here’s my personal RUclips channel I use to reach out to my fans for their support towards my career when I came across your RUclips channel here. Anyway may I know you more better? Where originally are you writing from?
I’m pretty sure that many young actors can do the job for prequel! I mean James able to play a young Charles Xaiver very good that same level of Patrick’s Xaiver
As a writer myself I have a preference for beginnings and hard endings. That is what the story is and that's where it ends. The fact that a story ends makes it more valuable and stays in my heart more. I love it when things actually end. I've been following many tv shows over the years, and some have had definite conclusions and I was perfectly happy to see them go, because it psychologically creates that closure for me to have experienced that story completely. Like when you eat a good meal, you start it, then you finish it. You might eat another next day but it won't be the same one. Things are precious because they are finite and ephemeral.
Exactly. This is actually part of the reason I struggle with never ending series like Doctor Who or horror sequels where they kill the villain over and over but you know they come back in the next movie or the end credit scene. I love closed, finished stories
I don’t want to call myself a writer, but I’m in the process of learning even though I’ve been at the process for 6 years now. I’ve never been to college or anything, I just do research in my free time. But as a writer how do you feel about the monomyth? There’s just something about it that intrigues me so much.
@@TheJoker-bz3ms I wasn't aware of the term 'monomyth', but Google tells me it's the Hero's Journey(?) Is that what you meant? I mean, stories are a reflection of human life - we all get one life that is filled with events that we turn into a narrative. The point of stories I think, is (among many other things that would require a long time to discuss) to teach us how to form and interpret those life narratives in a better way.
I think the best way they can continue forward with the franchise is through spin-offs. They created a world so rich, immense, and lived in that they can totally populate it with equally intriguing characters and storylines. I for one would love to see more characters/actors from other parts of the world like South Korea and Thailand.
They clarified with the newest film that there are Continentals in major cities around the world (I respect that they focused on the Osaka one during that section of the film rather than confirm to cliché and have it situated in an upmarket area of Tokyo such as Ginza). The Ballerina film is due for release next year that'll supposedly have a John Wick cameo. We'll have to see how that compares as it'll be as important who is behind the camera as it will be the actors performing the action/scenes.
Yes, the spinoffs have potential to be quite good. As long as they find actors and actresses willing to put in the work. Keanu trained for months for each of these films, and it shows. Halle Berry trained like crazy for Chapter 3. I'm excited for Ballerina! I like Ana De Armas quite a bit, and after Chapter 3, definitely want to see more of the dance theatre and The Director's (Angelica Houston) assassin girls.
@@patrickhoneyman9019 Len Wiseman is directing Ballerina. You'll know him from such films as Underworld, Underworld Evolution, Live Free or Die Hard, and Total Recall (2012 remake). I'm not thrilled he's who the studio chose, but it is what it is. I am excited for the movie, and Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski are both Producers, so hopefully their influence will be felt in the final product.
Why can’t people just let stuff go. It came and was awesome now let it go and stay awesome without having 50 other things tied to it that could turn out bad.
I agree. It does not really matter if he is "truly dead", if the "killer" John Wick is dead(alive, but free and retired) or if he is alive and "active"(possible sequel role). The point is, the ending could be whatever the viewer wanted it to be. That is incredible hard to do in a convincing way. Very impressive.
It's not open ended at all. The fact that King had possessions of Johns dog means John is 100% dead. John wouldn't be off enjoying a secret vacation without his dog.
John Wick's death is also very in line with the line he shared with Caine. "A man who clings to death, will live. A man who clings to life, will die." John has been clinging onto his life, fighting tooth, nail, nunchuck and gun to survive so that he may be able to remember Helen. I think he finally accepted his death due to seeing his survival also means the death of his friends and there really is no end.
The Bowery King laughing at Winston's shrug and "Who knows?" response when he asked if John went to heaven or hell is all I need to know. Winston covered up John's death to allow him to enjoy a quiet retirement.
Let's assume that's true and the writers wanted us to think he's alive. Why couldn't they just give us what we wanted and show him on a beach somewhere cuddling his dog, watching the sunset? What's so hard about that? So either way, it's a shity, blue balled fucking ending, and it made me hate the entire fucking franchise. I'll never watch anything except the first one ever again. I just wanted John to be happy
The way I took the ending was this. When Winston says "John", I interpreted it as "John the assassin is dead". But Jonathan the man, the husband, the man we came to care about is free to grieve like a regular person in private as he was doing in the 1st film.
Same, plus the Marquese said something like killing the idea of John, instead of the man. So it would also make sense that John Wick is dead to the world, so John can finally live a normal life.
Would really like to see a movie devoted to Donnie Yen's character. I felt he was just as entertaining to watch as John Wick. Also a huge fan of the Ip Man movies Donnie did.
Winston's eyes were wet when John asked him to take him home. Loved the subtlety of that shot and a clear indication that Wick was meant to die no matter how much money was made.
I honestly came out of that movie thinking that Caine was going to be the new main character to lead the franchise. They set him up beautifully, showing several times that he is in many ways John Wick's match, and also close to a brother to him. Donny Yen has shown that he has the chops to lead an action franchise, and Caine was incredibly charismatic. The universe clearly has a lot to show, and it'd be great to see other events and places through a different perspective.
idk if he'd carry the franchise/lead it. We love JOHN WICK because of the original movie. the way everyone got behind it just can't be handed over to someone else.Its like Keanu coming in to carry on IP MAN, after Donnie's character died. It just doesn't make sense. He may be able to do 1 movie, but most people including myself would just go to see what happened to Keanu, then that's the hype gone. at least IMO
The ending scene is a cautionary reveal. The man who kills John Wick, John, by faking his own death, is no longer clinging to life or the idea that he can go back to one as himself if he wants to continue honoring his wife's memory by living on. Caine, however, has been plagued with his weakness of thinking he will ever contact his daughter again. He is the one clinging to life, yet that life is dead. His daughter is dead. He is dead. Essentially, Caine WAS in the wrong the entire movie, despite his efforts to keep his daughter safe. His only choice, was to completely vanish. But he chose to trust that his past would allow him to "retire" as long as he played by the High Table's rules. The only thing the High Table did was exonerate him of blame from their end. All of Caine's stupid actions to become "free" from the High Table damned him with many other individuals that will descend upon him and his daughter for the rest of his life. And those who have no affiliation or care for the High Table are on their own. John has nothing to protect but his own vows to his dead wife. And if John Wick doesn't want John to be found, he won't be. Thus truly earning his freedom at the cost of never planting down roots again. Caine made a deal with the devil, and trusted him to keep his word. John made a deal with the devil, then shot him in the face.
@@kieranwatt1937 I wouldn't watch anything John Wick related without Keanu Reeves at the helm. No spin offs, no recasts, nothing. I'm fairly sure there's enough fandom out there to make marginal success with other things in the same universe, but for how long? When a large portion of the fan base is there for the actual John Wick, starring John Wick, you've lost pretty much all ability to continue momentum at the current pace. They'd have to bring in constant no-name actors and pay then less to keep costs down and the budget would have to suffer. I think the real question is, which portion of the fandom went to see the movie more than once.
I want them to do a John Wick 5 mostly because I just can't get enough of him. But also I think it would be great to see another volume of John Wick films where he is free from the high table. Like this chapter in this franchise is over, let's explore something else.
100% agree. John Wick 5 - he's now free of the high table, quit being an assassin, now he and his mate Winston go on a excellent time travel adventure!
I am also perfectly satisfied with believing he really is dead. It feels right. The overhead view hunt/fight scene had my son and I absolutely hysterical with glee -- the choreography of that whole sequence is astounding. I will absolutely be seeing it again in the theater (perhaps a couple more times - mostly because of that one scene).
That scene was so fun and awesome, I had a smile painted on my face the whole face. The top-down shots of him just igniting people from 3 feet away with the incendiary buckshot were friggin amazing.
I feel like it would be incredibly frustrating if they chickened out of Chapter 4’s ending. Would they bring him back just to somehow conclude it differently, or just have him die again?
I think people who say “John should’ve lived and had a happy ending” don’t understand how stories work.. we knew from the way the story was set up since the 2nd movie - - there was only one way out for John.. you have to honour what you’ve set up - or the story goes completely left field.
@First Last the first movie is about a guy whos dog is murdered and proceeds to kill a 100 people exclusively with head shots. I don't think you need to see the second movie to get the real point. It's a popcorn flick. Sure movies like this obviously set up main character death expectations but I've never considered John's fate something integral to the story. I honestly don't think any thing is but the violence and John's personality staying the same. I'm a simple man. If they bright him back for a fifth film and it was as good if not better than the best(honestly id settle as long as it's better than 3)I consider that worth it. I couldn't imagine watching a great 5th John wick movie where he lives and thinking "ah man this breaks the immersion for me now". If you can watch 50 guys run around with full mobility in bullet-proof suits you can suspend your disbelief just a little harder. Honestly if they made a spin off that starts with his zombie hand punching out the dirt I'd watch it with all the glee of a 12 year old girl lol.
Never mind the story line. Keanu looked knackered and definitely getting slower. Perfect time to call it a day. I loved the franchise, an amazing set of movies. Thank you once again Keanu, you're a legend ❤
In fairness Keanu was doing a lot of his own stunts. So it really might not be him aging out, it might just be that he was actually physically tired as hell when some of those scenes were shot. I think that, for whatever the explanation is, given the amount of punishment the character has taken, him being a little slower lends some realism in a franchise in which what's realistic is intentionally and overtly cherry-picked.
The way they killed him off in the last one is the perfect way to do it. Ultimately what the films have protrayed is his past coming back to haunt him and preventing him from grieving. That's the reason his dog meant so much, that's what made him take revenge, ultimately every step since the ending of the first movie was to get out of this situation and find peace. Ultimately him winning, it didn't matter if he died, he was finally free from his past, the left over threads sealed and he finally had time not just to grieve but find solace again with his wife. He won over the high table in a way that actually meant something, he beat them at their own game with their own rules. It's a perfect ending for me, genuinely hope they keep him dead for that sake, every step felt justified and I really didn't see it coming.
I think what I love about this franchise is how much of it revolves around identity. The people under the table call John "Baba Yaga", the table/Marquis de Gramont call John "killer" and remind him that John Wick will always be one. John Wick defines himself differently in the end, almost defiantly, as "Loving Husband". It's why I'd actually be okay with either a literal or symbolic death because either way John Wick, as the world chose to see him, 'died': he escaped the life that he no longer wanted to be defined by.
I would love if there was a fifth film but I also understand that this is a good bookend to his story. That’s why if they were to make another, I think a prequel where we see John take on the impossible mission to get out of game before the events of the first movie would be dope
I feel like that wouldn't be good for the character. Part of what makes him so cool is the mystique around his past and what exactly he did to be so feared. Actually showing it would cheapen the character.
@@shayposting Yeah, this is something that happens a lot with media. Halo, for example, had games that ruined the mystique of the Forerunners and turned them from these ancient, unknown beings into scary monster men. It's also why attempts at explaining where the Xenomorphs in Alien come from, fail. No one wants to know where the scary land-shark that bites people's heads in comes from, because whatever answer that could be provided by the films would ultimately be less satisfying than the various theories crafted out there.
Exactly. If they do a prequel, I'm hoping they just call it "Baba Yaga" and give us the three men with a pencil scene, the impossible task Viggo gave John, and show him falling in love with his wife and why he wanted to get out. It would make the four current films even more powerful in hindsight.
Come on, I absolutely love the guy, but He might be the least talented mainstream actor working today. He delivers each line as if it were the first words he's ever spoken. John Wicks plays to his strenghts, one of which is being a super hard worker, passionate about the story he is telling. He does have incredible charisma, too. I heard someone say he could play Ted Bundy and you'd root for him. I do agree that he is the absolute perfect actor for this. I can't picture anyone else in the role.
@@LPChipi I agree, after seeing some of keanus line delivery in jw4 I was left thinking “is that really the best take the had for that line?” I asked my friends about this and they said it kind of fits his character to be sort of akward and not a great speaker. I also agree with this to a degree. He is good at killing and not speaking I guess is the best explaination.
I want both, I'm fine with either ending. If they want to bring him back, then great, I look forward to the next movie. If he's truly gone, it was an epic way to go out for the character and I loved his story and we can always watch it again.
After hearing interviews with Keanu and the Director, they’re so excited about all the ideas and possibilities they have and lose threads they left, I have no doubt in my mind that there’s going to be a 5th one.
@@massterwushu9699 bro no way it’s the same. I respect what you’re saying but I totally disagree. Star Wars forced a villain that was dead back to life with no explanation other than “mysterious ways”. They literally didn’t plan for it, the ship was sinking with “The Last Jedi” and then they decided “let’s try bringing back palatine, no reason on how or why, just cause”. When SW didn’t need him back, nor was anyone asking for him back. They already had a villain in Kylo Ren and Palpatine already had a definite death. John wick on the other hand didn’t have a definite death. It was left intentionally ambiguous for a reason. Also he’s the main character so it’s not forcing anything if they make a new one. It also logically makes sense because all that needs to be explained is “he survived the gun shot wounds” which as many noticed, weren’t in any particular lethal areas. If they do keep him dead (which I highly doubt), then this is a good ending for him. But knowing Hollywood, they’re gonna keep milking this.
100% with you on this one. The moment I heard Chapter 2 was being made I needed John to die eventually. I’m fine with leaving John’s impossible task to the imagination but if a 5th film is gonna happen I’d prefer a prequel of some sort
I agree. A good friend mentioned that creators should have an ending in mind to work towards and know when to bring an end to their main character's journey. This tetralogy of films feels like the right amount with the stakes being upped in the right way to the point where John and co. are able to fathom a way out that adhered to the High Table's code. Let John Wick rest in peace. He's had a great run and now its time for him to be with his wife and hound for the rest of his days.
If you've been paying attention to all of the movies in this series, 4 doesn't give fans the payoff they deserve after 4 films. The High Table is the over-arching series villain that we never get to see John go after.
@@derekjeter1532 It's made clear the high table powerful and unreachable even if kill one they would just replace one. Unless John became part of high table. For me personally this there should be only one movie.
I think I also prefer the idea that John Wick is dead. It makes all those moments like him talking about what he wants on his tombstone and telling Winston to take him home so much more meaningful. Those moments really make it feel that the whole movie is building up to him dying and showing that he dies as a free man and is finally at peace in death. But things like the dog looking off to the side and us not seeing John’s death up close still leave the room for him living on. And he does live on in some form since like they say in the film, beating the high council makes him now a myth that will never truly die. Whether he’s dead or alive, I like that we didn’t see anything conclusive in the film so it could be either way. John Wick is the Schrödinger’s assassin.
There was a great article on Vulture talking about how the only way John Wick could achieve real freedom and peace was to "die" (a.k.a. faking his death). He knows Caine is being hunted down despite him seeming to achieve freedom. This is the fate that John is trying to avoid...and that's why he must disappear off the face of the earth. Anyways, its a great article...it even talks about how Chat and Keanu deserve their freedom too...to do other projects.
The grave scene...that could have happened a year or two after his actual death and burial. We didnt see a funeral, just the guys meeting at his grave. They could always right it that way, then if he's not dead after JW4, the fifth movie could be the events that lead to that actual death. But i agree Chris, it works better with him being dead.
It was really reminiscent of the ending of Blade Runner 2049; a mission completed, a father free to meet his daughter, a heavily injured man having a nice lie-down on a flight of stairs. It may just be coincidence, but since K is widely believed to be dead, I’m pretty certain they meant for this to be the end…but they left it open-ended so that when Lionsgate demands Chapter 5, Stahelski can just revive the character. Remember that Reeves has said that he is willing to make as many John Wicks as he can; it kind of is like any big series ending; almost definitive, but just enough for a comeback, just like Indiana Jones, or Bond.
I hope they don’t make another one. It’s good to end things when it feels right, and this film is the epic finale we were hoping for. Reviving franchises after what seemed to be a satisfying conclusion has rarely seemed to work. Just look at Jason Bourne and Toy Story. Those series would have been better off ending on the notes that they originally did.
Something else that I haven’t really seen anyone point out is the scene where he is in the church with Caine and Caine asks John if he believes his wife can hear him. John says “no” but at the end of the movie when he’s on the steps, he says his wife’s name as if he’s talking to her. I took this as John passing over into the afterlife and his wife was calling out to him. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s dead, but if they choose to keep him dead then that is a beautiful way to end John’s story!
Chad Stahelski confirmed that they filmed the scene with Caine being killed by Akira that was originally going to be in the actual film, and not the credits but he felt it was cooler being open ending.
I believe that Caine is so spatially aware , when Akira opened the knife (in the post credit scene) it made a “shing” noise. I bet Caine heard it and was able to defend himself
The ending of Chapter 4 struck me as really interesting for a number of reasons. First up, the scene made me think a lot about the finale of Cowboy Bebop, and the ambiguity of Spike's fate. Was his apparent "death" a literal one, or a metaphorical one as he's effectively faced down his past and eliminated everything that was a problem (namely Vicious). Personally, I think that Spike is very literally dead at the finale, as it holds more weight for me. I could go either way with John Wick's fate. To me, it does absolutely make sense that John Wick has faked his death. The reason for this would be that he knows as long as the High Table and associated crime lords know that he's alive, everybody will want to get a piece of him. People believing he's dead allows him to, well...Rest in Peace. On the other hand, I think there's something really poignant about Wick's death being legit. With the exception of, maybe, the first movie, everything that happens is because John Wick doesn't want to die. That's really powerful to me because of the level of grief he had to go through in the first movie, up until the end when he adopted the dog and takes him home. It could be argued that Chapter 2 had his sole focus be to seek revenge, but clearly by the end of that movie/beginning of Chapter 3, something has changed and Wick really does want to survive his ordeal. Wick really wants to give his life some kind of meaning outside of bloodshed. Enter Caine... Caine is someone who's in a very similar situation as John. The key difference though is that Caine has a loved one (his daughter) who is actively being threatened by members of the High Table, particularly the Marquis. Much like John in Ch. 2, Caine really doesn't have a choice in accepting his task, despite not wanting to do so. He even says as much to John, which is why John's so set on trying to destroy the High Table, or at least enough of its members that they'll leave him alone and, as a result, also leave Caine alone. Unfortunately, the members of the High Table are full of people whose pride will not let them accept a loss or insult like that. Even if they were to leave John alone, the last time they did that, he still came out of retirement and raised Hell. So Winston gives John a way out. So why is it so poignant that John Wick dies for real? As I said, the previous two movies establish that John really does want to live his life. At the climactic duel, he let's himself get shot badly enough that it lowers the Marquis's guard so that he verbally releases Caine and his daughter, before giving John an opening to kill him, ensuring that the Marquis won't be a problem anymore. Even though his injuries from the duel don't appear to be fatal, he could very well have bled out. Or, as others have pointed out, his collective physical trauma all adds up and his body just couldn't take it. Whatever the actual medical cause, John put himself in a position to be killed, and I took the significance of it to mean that his end goal there was to ensure Caine and his daughter were freed. John gave up something that he wanted because somebody else needed help. With that said, I think they left it ambiguous so that, if they decided to, they can bring John Wick back to kick more ass. Why would he reveal his survival and come out of retirement again? Well, personally, I have seen no evidence in these movies that the High Table will hold to its promises. Caine's daughter will be used against him again (if he isn't killed by the other woman). This would also be the reason why he faked his death, because he knows that as long as the High Table knows he's alive, they won't leave him alone. This makes a lot of sense, because what we've seen of the members of the High Table suggests they're all blue bloods who feel no obligation to their lessers at all. So it's back to Plan A: Destroy the High Table.
Absolutely incredible comment, very great insights and fully fleshing out both possibilities. Some more evidence for why he may be dead for real: poetically, John played an active part in ending the cycle of violence to animals. Coming full circle from the first film, he made an active decision to put his own life after that of another assassin’s animal. He was more prepared to die than to let another dog get killed due to his actions. That’s so poetic and intentional if he’s truly dead, as opposed to still being alive.
I feel there’s something to be said for ‘Tracker’ or ‘Mr. Nobody’. He spends all his time looking up to these figures and or organizations in that underworld and studies it, gets good at it. Follows John’s every move but doesn’t kill John, maybe because he’s not being paid enough or he really can’t kill John Wick because no one can I also love the end where despite John not being a perfect person, hell even being a good person let alone decent person, he has still developed friendships and relationships and done enough good with the right people in the end to where it does finally pay off in the end. Willem Dafoe helps, Hank from the hotel, Charon, Winston, Bowery King, Sofia, and Hiroyuki Sanada and Donnie Yen. Specifically at the end, Donnie Yen and Winston help him in the end because John Wick has helped them and it’s minor and unspoken and even unthanked but Donnie shoots John just in a place that looks lethal enough to let The Marquis’ guard down. And Winston says something to distract The Marquis just enough to get his guard down and then John gets him. Its poetic and it was awesome
I would like this to be this character's final bow, not because of anything due to the franchise outliving its shelf life, but I truly feel these films have been leading up to that conclusion. There's just so many superhuman feats this man can do until the stakes don't mean anything. "Home" was with his wife, his grave. Other than having acquaintances and friends, he had already lost his greatest purpose for leaving his old life behind. How he charges into battle isn't a man simply looking for vengeance, but also a man seeking death. Also, by the end of 4, his arc and what he needed to resolve is resolved. They can certainly have his character pop up in the spin off movies, depending on where they land in the mythos. I really hope they don't do a prequel series of films either. I don't think we need more backstory; it's already treaded ground, no need to fill in the holes. Would I have liked he lived? Sure, but narratively, it serves no real purpose than wish fulfillment instead of the story and its logical path.
@@acow1385 agree. Why not make chapter 5 but without Wick, al let's see someone else follow his footsteps. I trust Donnie Yen as enough star power to be the new face of the franchise, add some other stars..... maybe Scott Adkins could come back as a new character, he was unrecognizable in last film so it wouldn't be a problem. And as long as they maintain the quality of action and world building of previous films I don't see how it wouldn't be successful.
Had to look up some words from the director and Keanu, and if what I read is correct they wanted it to be up to the audience and have it done in a way where it IS a finale for Wick’s story so they could take a break from these movies. However, they did say depending on reception the break could be shorter, meaning Wick’s possible return in future movies. If he returns, I wouldn’t want it to be focused on Wick himself as his story is wrapped up. I’d want him back as a support character or paragon type character for a new/different protagonist.
In such a sequel, Wick does not even need to be a character at all. He could be referenced, sure. Maybe even a flashback to "something John once did with someone". But these movies have created a world that can stand on its own even without John Wick. I would be interested to see more about Nobody, Caine and Akira.
I'm glad that you mentioned Cowboy Bebop 😅. It was the first thing that came to my mind as I was watching the ending. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the inspiration for the scene and ending. Keanu is a huge Cowboy Bebop fan, and maybe it was a way for him to play Spike Spiegel without getting the role hehehe. But I agree with you, the ending was perfect, and John Wick 5 could potentially ruin 4. Keanu is in his 50s, and it's a lot harder for him to train at the level of a John Wick movie.
I absolutely agree with you. John choosing his gravestone mark and asking to be taken home was to me a clear indication of his death. Yes, they've left the door open, but if John comes back it'd be too similar to the first film in my opinion. I won't complain if they give us more John Wick, but this ending is as perfect as it gets. Great content as usual 👏🏻🔥
I believe the line of dialogue between Keanu and Donnie before the final shot is the key. Clinging to live and clinging to death. It mirrors both their desires.... Donnie to live on with his daughter, and Keanu to be "Dead" to the world and be free from everything.
Hopefully Keanu isn't obligated to do another film. This was the perfect ending. I think a spinoff with Shamier Anderson's character would be cool. Or maybe even some backstory or a deeper dive into Donnie Yen's character would be awesome. They teased a little of that at the end.
Thank you for pointing out the similarities with Cowboy Beebop and John Wick 4. That’s exactly what I said to my friend about that ending scene. I think the creators made a clear and deliberate reference to CB with the ending.
Exactly what I thought of when I saw it the first time. Also they cleary been stating that the high table will always be replaced, and Winston, who I personally think is John's father, would always be warning him to be careful and that there is only one way out.
I completely agree with you Chris. His character deserves to be in peace… but I thought the same about the dog and the wide shot on the steps. I want this to be the ending but it probably won’t be. As you said it is amazing and the box office numbers proved it.
I think they could easily do JW5 while keeping him dead. It could be about the aftermath of his death & martyrdom, with conflict stemming from his death, or it could even be a prequel (his "impossible task" alluded to in the first movie). Also I feel like John Wick could easily mirror Mad Max as a franchise - sort of detached legends/stories involving the same character.
Feel exactly the same way. I think to give this character a freeing death was very satisfactory and it'd be very disappointing to see this ending being cheapened
Just watched John Wick 4 and it was amazing, my personal favorite movie in the series, beautifully shot, story was really good, the action was epic and overall the movie was a super fun thrill ride, cast was great too, Donnie Yen and Shamier Anderson stole the show, the perfect way to wrap up John Wicks’s story, masterpiece movie, really enjoyed it 👏👏👏👏
That ending was very accurate to the theme of the movie which is called "freedom". It all started with the death of his dog and it ended as intended. This series has respected its story from start to finish by respecting the character's development bit by bit.
His motivation for fighting in movies 2-4 was to gain his freedom. And the second he got it, he died. That makes the entire plot of movies 2-4 fucking pointless. John Suffered so much, and his actions directly lead to the death of his friends. But all of that would have at least meant something if he lived and got to enjoy retirement. But the fact that he died made it all so fucking pointless. He could have killed himself at the start of the second movie, saved himself pain and suffering(including the death of his friends) and achieved the exact same result. It was a bullshit ending that totally disrespected the story, and the characters. It was a slap to the face of everyone who was rooting for john.
If they do Chapter 5, I hope it would either be a prequel of John's life, or take place after Chapter 4 and follow the impact of John's legacy through people like Donnie Yen's and Halle Berry's characters who knew John for a long time.
As I get older, I'm starting to appreciate definitive endings. Yeah sure, John Wick is a masterpiece of a saga. But I'd much rather things end on a high note than possibly being milked by Hollywood.
I feel there should be an Oscar category for best color grading also as this would easily make it to top of the list. Visually this is one of the best movies I've seen, up their with Avatar 2.
Photography was just gorgeous, they've been playing with colours since the first one, but 4 shows they went beyond what was necessary to ensure each scene looked gorgeous.
@@derg6222 Good point, forgot about cinematography. Looking at the BTS segments of this movie being shot it's kind of crazy how much color grading went into it.
Even if he is still alive, there’s no point of continuing his story anymore. He got out and got his freedom that he wanted since the first film. Just leave it at that! It was a perfect ending for his character.
I really hope they keep it at 4 with this ending and channel their effort into the spinoffs. a lot of possibility there to build up the world but keep a polished gem with the first 4 films!
It's pretty clear to me at least after reading a bunch of articles and watching some interviews of Chad and Keanu, that they purposefully made the movie open ended. In the beginning of the movie they kept on setting up Wick "having to live a good life before dying", and in the later half of the film they set up Wick as "gone too far and has to die". It's very good writing in my opinion. Chad and Keanu, particularly Chad, are completely burned out making this film. Chad just a few days ago, made a public statement that he's not going to come back for Chapter 5 no matter what Lionsgate say. A different person will take over the subsequent John Wick Saga. So is John Wick dead? If according Chad he would definitely say yes because he doesn't want to make John Wick films anymore. If it was Lionsgate they definitely say no he is still alive. Of course, thankfully, the writers have allowed a dual interpretation of the ending. Me personally I think it made far more sense for him to be alive, as he still hasn't live the good life Helen wanted him too. But, I'm completely ok with him passing away as he finally defeated the high table in their own game. I'd really like to see how the high table crumbles after this, because Wick basically proved to every other denizens of the underworld, that they probably don't need the high table anymore.
Im sure Keanu has also said he won't come back unless Chad does. Chad said in an interview they'll likely sit down in a bar in Tokyo in September when the movie releases there and have a real talk about what they would do for John Wick 5. So until then I'd assume this is it
I like the idea that it’s up in the air whether he’s dead or not. Even the wounds inflicted on him were the same non-lethal shots the doctor in the second film asked him for.
An open ending that can be both a definitive conclusion to the main story as well as a coverup for a potential 5th film. But also a launchpad for possible spinoffs thanks to the notable world building and especially the post credits scene. Great stuff
So I haven’t seen the film yet but the ending I always wanted for John was him just quietly retiring and getting to enjoy life with the dog, while the world thought he was dead. Learning to live life peacefully. So I don’t want another John wick movie but I would love if it later gets confirmed he gets to live life for a little while longer.
I love that the ending is ambiguous and open to the viewer. But as Chris mentioned, the film did so well that a 5th is possible. The way it ended is that it’s up to the writers if they want to bring him back or leave him dead That’s the way I see it.
I think he will come back. I would love to see him gather all the assassins he got to know during the movies that are still alive and go all out war on the high table. Samurai 7 style. Another part of me also agrees yes it is good ending and excellent closure to the character.
Forcing things to keep going just seems like a bad idea. There’s such a thing as a time to end things, and this is the ending the series deserved. “John Wick” died, and John can finally be at peace, whether it’s in heaven with his wife or off the grid away from the criminal world. But he may never be at peace for as long as he lives because he is wanted by somebody. I still think this was the right place to end it.
Look, if this is the end for John, then it's perfect. However, if Chapter 5 is back on, and we get to see John wiping out the whole High Table, that's even more perfect. I would be happy if they played it safe and didn't over-extend themselves with another entry, but I would also love to see a true flipping of the High Table.
I didn’t even think about the “can you take me home” as meaning his body. I thought it was more like “I’m so wrecked, I literally can’t do anything alone currently”, and he was clearly okay on the stairs. And the grave being a metaphorical grave, that John Wick the boogieman is now dead and he’s leaving that life behind. I dead on believed that the shot would end with a reveal that John is also standing there with them and looking at the tombstone The fade to the graveyard was also absurdly short, like “ok he dead now”
It was very satisfying but I would love to get more too. The director did say in interviews they shot multiple endings and there was one where he is definitely alive but they decided to keep it ambiguous.
I love that it is open-ended. I would be happy with it either way. I think if they make a JW5 and keep him alive, it will be a secret so that he can go after the High Table. Also I think they really laid the groundwork in JW4 for all of the spinoffs and developing these new characters so that the franchise can continue without him at the helm. I think JW4 was masterfully done in many ways
I love this series and I do not like action movies traditionally. But this franchise is so phenomenal in how it subtly turns certain action movie tropes on its head. The movie makes you root for a guy who is essentially a sociopath and points that out to you. The movie features really good fight scenes that also feel tragic because every kill feels like John losing a bit of his soul(again). Every victory John has feels almost tragic because he just wants to die but no one is good enough to kill him.
Honestly, from the ending of John Wick 3 i was expecting for Bowery King to start overthrowing the High Table with John's help and other previous/new allies. Idk i felt like 3 was building up for that coup d'é·tat direction
I think I would prefer this to be the end of John Wick, and the filmmakers just go on to make a new franchise; it could even start Keanu Reeves. I DEFINITELY want more action movies like this.
I would love a 5 in a few years. Have him cameo or show up as a horror movie type character taking people out off screen. Shoot it like the docks fight in batman begins.
I absolutely agree that while the fourth film in a series seems a little odd considering the formula usually runs in multiples of 3, the death of John Wick in this film was perfect. He went through absolute hell since the first film driven by vengeance, survival, and finally absolution. Now where I could see the future of the franchise going is a spin-off following Akira (Shimazu's daughter) pursuing Caine (or the consequences of assassinating Caine especially if it occurs near Caine's daughter as the post-credit sequence seems to suggest). I would only see that spin-off really being one film because I don't really see any motivation for Akira to say upend The Table. But I absolutely see her becoming the new head of the Osaka Continental things ending there. Otherwise, honestly I'm ok with the post-credit ending the way it did as well. I've never really took issue with open-ended endings that are left for the audience to fill in. Not to mention, Akira was introduced in presumably John Wick's final chapter with really no character development. So I didn't personally connect with her on a deep enough level to really merit interest following her story. And as for Caine, sure he did get more time for development and connection. But as the movie's theme stated: Consequences.
100% I absolutely LOVE this character, and as much as it pains me, him being dead is the best way to end HIS story... now I'd absolutely love to see what they do with the spinoff characters. But I'm all in if they do happen to bring him back 😄
I think Winston was talking to the audience as much as he was talking to John. “Where does it end?” I mean he has a suit that is essentially a bullet sponge and adamantium skeleton for fall damage. We can’t keep pushing his story and upping the action any more.
So I think Keanu and Chad came out and said that they would do a 5th if people went out and saw the film. While people are seeing it it's currently tracking way behind the 3rd film. I like that they left it for interpretation and that Chad himself said they were taking a break from making these films anyway. I think right now they want to focus on the 2 spinoffs they are making which I think is great.
I agree they should focus on spin-offs and leave these 4 movies as they are. But just so you know, the 4th movie is not tracking behind 3rd in terms of box office. It’s set to surpass it, and had the biggest opening weekend. Currently it’s at like 306 million and still going, while the 3rd ended with around 320 million
What do you mean tracking way behind the third film? The third film grossed 327 million worldwide and the fourth one is already at 304 million. It’s gonna surpass it for sure.
@@vladimirlemon8345 apologies Box Office Mojo didn't update for me. Last I saw it it said $276 million for some reason so I think it's still updating from this weekend. Also I agree focus on the spinoffs.
@@KrustydaClown apologies Box Office Mojo didn't update for me. Last I saw it it said $276 million for some reason so I think it's still updating from this weekend.
That throwaway bit of dialogue where Lawrence Fishburne talks about having a grave/faking his own death leads me to believe that he possibly did the same favor for John. That way; if they're truly done with John's story, they can say he's dead here, and if they do bring him back, they can use this as the reasoning.
I thought he was probably alive because of the Winston/Bowery King dialogue, plus it didn't really feel like an ending to me. I think there's a good idea for a potential fifth and final film where Wick is living somewhere else alone in hiding and falls in love again. He has to protect his new love after he's discovered and has one last final battle, Bourne Supremacy style, to live a happy life once more. But I'd be fine with them finishing at 4, I already thought 3 would be the last one until they greenlit a sequel, his injuries in 4 are no where near as severe as they were in 3.
They have a bunch of new characters that would make for good stories to tell that they don’t need to go back to John Wick to continue the franchise. They already have Ballerina and The Continental on the cards, and they have a few new options from Chapter 4 as well: They can do a spin-off of Donnie Yen and Rina Sawayama’s characters where he tries to show her that the (justified) revenge she’s seeking will only lead to her death, citing John as an example They can delve into Mr. Nobody and his motivations, what is his limit when it comes to earning the money? He wants a lot, but has a bit of a code. How far does that go? They could also expand on his tracking abilities, and make him have to search for clues to find an elusive, but highly-valuable target John should stay dead, but the universe should live on and expand so long as they treat it right
At the end when John asks Winston to take him home, Winston clearly looks down and sees that Cain’s last shot was a fatal shot. When the bullet proof jackets are taken away a gut shot is fatal. John knows it and that is why he asks. Winston knows it and that is why he replies the way he does.
Depends...if they pull a Hangover and just do a similar plot then yeah, it'll ruin it. I actually hope they can follow up after Ballerina & The Continental series.
I'm of two feelings about it. Much like yourself, I like seeing a hero go down fighting (if it's done well), and I think it can be more satisfying than the all-too-often tagged on happy ending or the poetic riding into the sunset. Kiefer Sutherland's Doc Scurlock in "Young Guns II", Sean Bean's Boromir in "The Fellowship of the Ring", Toshiro Mifune's Kikuchiyo in "Seven Samurai" all have these beautiful death scenes where you aren't sure if you should stand up and cheer or dab the tears in your eyes. It can be an opportunity for a morally ambiguous character or antihero to make a noble sacrifice, find some redemption, and to die on their own terms in a manner echoing their way of life as a warrior. It can also win over an audience as Willem Dafoe says in "Spider-Man". The people do love "to see a hero fail, fall, die trying." Though I had more issues with the inconsistent quality of the writing in the series, I would add James Bond in "No Time to Die" to that list as well. I wish Nolan had the guts to do it with Christian Bale's Batman. I also think "John Wick: Chapter 4" is the most emotionally resonant of the films since the first one, and while I love the action and cinematography in "Chapter 3" as well, my issue with the second and third film is that the deep emotional motivation for the character just doesn't feel like it's there. In this film, he's not getting revenge, he's not reluctantly taking out a target, he's not on the run... he's simply trying to get out of this old murderous life that won't let him go. It feels like a fitting end. That said, I DO want more of this character on-screen, and I do think there are still interesting stories that could be told, exploring his past as a killer (the three men with a pencil), his relationship and desire to settle down, and the impossible task that Viggo gave him. BUT "Chapter 4" was intended to be shot back-to-back with "Chapter 5". Unless they dramatically rewrote "Chapter 4" to make it the final film, which would be odd given the franchise's success, I think that the things you somewhat dismiss are clues. Even at the first showing in my area that I went to, everyone was talking about the Bowery King's laugh and the dog's reaction, and there was a lot of conversation about the line "Those who cling to life die and those who cling to death live." Up until this film, John clung to death, specifically that of his wife and to the death of the puppy and to those whom he killed. In this film, he seems to be choosing to live, but for what? He sacrificed himself essentially so he wouldn't have to kill his friend Caine, who clings to life for his daughter. The post-credit scene reveals that Caine is likely about to die for his killing of Koji, so that line would either be misleading, or we have to assume that John was choosing death by not firing his gun, therefore saying that he would live, leaving Koji's daughter Akira to kill Caine. It's also worth noting that "The Ballerina" will be a film set between "Chapter 3" and "Chapter 4" and both John Wick and Charon will appear in it. Obviously, Lance Reddick's character can't return, but I suspect the seed will be planted in that film somehow for John's survival. I wouldn't be surprised if it's revealed he had a daughter and that somehow ties into his resurrection and need to be alive.
Yeah but it would be kinda tragic to start giving out Oscars for stunts AFTER all the wild shitnRom Cruise did the last 10 years. I'd kinda feel they robbed him. They should still do it though.
On the one hand the ending was perfect, poetic, and fitting end for the character and the franchise, true art. On the other hand, $500 million (make JW5). $0 vs. $500 million, such a heart-wrenching difficult decision for a studio executive, lol.
If you pay attention to what was said in the movie, you clearly know that John Wick is NOT dead (especially in the scene where he talks about death with Donnie Yen). But I do love this ending, if they don’t do another one, you can take it as if he’s dead, it’s alright, but there’re a lot of clues in the movie where you can guess that he’s still alive.
They both were shooting each other into not lethal spots. John was shot into the same spots he shot the doctor in the third film, when he instructed him to shot him.
For legacy sake I hope they let John wick die. I don’t want John wick to be the next Jurassic park series or fast and furious franchise. I am also worried about ballerina. I hope that’s good
If John isn’t dead, my interpretation of the “take me home” and “who knows?” lines is him staying in hiding in the continental. I think it would feel a bit cheapening if he was revealed as alive, but I also wouldn’t be too broken up over seeing more of him. That being said, if we see more John, I’d rather that be in a prequel showing his “impossible task”. I’m looking forward to any potential spin-offs about other characters like Akira, Caine, the Ballerina (confirmed), Sofia, and Mr. Nobody.
Chris mentions the after credits scene and how Donnie Yen might not see his daughter again due to him potentially getting murdered. I think he wouldn’t see her regardless due to him being blind.
😹😹
I thought that too... But I knew what he meant. 😆
BOOOOO
You deserve a ⭐️ comment
_angry clapping_
I love that the ending has just enough mystery where you’re satisfied if they leave him dead but it’s not completely illogical if Keanu wants to come back and do another
This is exactly what i loved about it.
Remember Chris Hemsworth in Extraction? It had an open ending too, involving his "mortally wounded" scene. Well, he will be back in part 2.
He's obviously not dead because of how Lawrence Fishburne laughs at the end, it's like saying "you know that i know"
Okay, but when are we getting a John Wick Terraria skin for an epic playthrough on your couch?
Hello Chippy
I finally saw this with my husband today. On our way back I asked him how long the movie was exactly. He said “I dunno. Almost 3 hours?” and I just looked over at him and went, “Yeah… I think I could’ve kept watching it.” Like if John Wick 4 went on for an indefinite amount of time I simply would not mind. It was so entertaining, at points it was difficult to contain ourselves. (The scene that starts with Winston walking next to the never ending wall of paintings at the Louvre for like a whole minute was so funny to me for no reason.)
Personally the idea of John choosing to die, not even as a sacrifice, but knowing he could probably live, and still kicking the bucket, is awesome. If he’s supposed to be the Baba Yaga, the boogeyman, or some personification of death, then death should be on his terms.
In the first movie we see John Wick almost succumbing to similar injuries, but his wife’s voice telling them to “go home” from an old recording motivates him to live on. At the end of John Wick 4, he’s also slowly bleeding out, and asks Winston to take him “home.” He then thinks of his wife, and this time her memory motivates him to let go. It’s perfect.
On a slightly different note, out of all these male action movie protagonists who tend to sleep around with beautiful women, it’s refreshing to see at least one guy who just really loved his wife and never forgot the happiness she gave him. Nothing wrong with either, but it was a nice change. Very Keanu of him.
Perfectly said 👏
you told him "Yeah in john wick's voice right ?
@@aligmal5031 No but I should have.
Fantastic post - I whole heartedly agree and i agree with Chris. I have no objection to John Wick: Chapter 0 (the impossible task) but i really dont want a chapter 5, the ending was perfect.
Ngl the part where Winston walking past the paintings was a bit funny. The way he was walking and it felt like that walk scene was gonna last forever.
He’s coming back in avengers 7
@Don't Read My Profile Picture F YOU
@Don't Read My Profile Picture lame
Stupid joke.
Or fast & furious 11 😂
That would be a fun crossover if done correctly
The casting director needs a shout out too because everyone was perfect for their roles. That goes for the whole franchise honestly.
Most definitely
Especially the Continental Managers. They chose the perfect Zaddy in archetypal outfits to represent each city.
The dog looking off screen was absolutely not a wide shot and was confirmed by the filmmakers in being part of the alternate ending of John surviving. The idea was the director wanted him dead, the studio wanted him alive so they made a happy medium.
Source please
@@San.Garcia Interview with Collider. Chad talks about filming two different endings to please the studio cuz they were iffy about having John die. I believe the alternate ending added two more shots to imply he’s alive. And the one we got was a little more definitive. Although the point of both was to let the audience decide to leave room for a sequel just in case.
It’s a perfect ending. If they want to make more then they should do spin-offs.
f off is not perfect, yet...dont you would like another one with keanu as the protagonist?
@@sebastiangarcia6103 That's stupid.
They already have 2-3 in production/post-production.
John Wick: Resurrections
They should do a prequel
There was also this look Winston gave him right when John asked to be taken home.
I actually wondered why on earth is Winston so sad all of a sudden.
And then I realized that after the life he led, he can probably tell if a wounded man is going to survive or not.
And I agree - that's a perfect ending.
The ending was poignant and perfect as is. John went out on his own terms as a free man even though it was brief. His arc ended in a high note and it's best to leave it at that. Plus, they created this entire underworld around him and it opens up opportunities for new stories to be told within that universe.
i think a continuation with the nobody man( the man with the dog) would be thrilling, his performance was awesome, he captured every scene he was in , his fighting style is fresh aswell , where he goes stealth and uses his dog as decoy or a close fight assistant.
And the fact that he allowed his death to be at the hands of a man who just wants to be left alone with his family-exactly like John wanted.
He’s gotta take on the table tho.
It's just gonna be a bunch of Woman Wick wannabes. Have fun
No it doesn't. This isn't star wars. Literally nobody cares about anyone else other than the titular character. You're just a marvel zombie, desperately clinging to "cinematic universes".
The two gunshot wounds John received are the same wounds that he gave the doctor in chapter 3, which the doctor indicated as non lethal wounds. They buried the legend, but the man remains.
This!!!! I noticed this right away, but a lot of people are overlooking this.
He got 3 wounds, not 2.
@@Azolture ya your not gonna bleed out from a graze to the arm.
They discuss it on the steps . 12&9 they tell each other .
very interesting. this is a masterpiece ending
*John dying* is the ultimate perfect ending - - he has no life to rebuild or continue living.. unless he faked his death and went to try and start living again without his wife.
Sorta like Gladiator...the only way Maximus could be happy in the end was to be with his wife and child. I'm surprised they didn't use a visual like that for Wick at the end...
chaburchak - ehh I agree but the whole “Vision of afterlife” has been done before countless times and could be corny.. kind of like (hot take) that goofy scene from ”The Whale”
He faked his death, it is the only interpretation possible, there is no debate.
if it’s perfect ending what is the point of killing of this bad guys? We could have just die after 1st or 2nd movie
So if john is alive he just abandons his dog???
The ending was perfect. They left enough ambiguity for us to have. To me the line where they discuss if he is in heaven or hell and the answer "who knows" will always leave a hint that he may be still alive. This one was the most memorable after the first one. The shots they've pulled off with the fire breath shotguns or the Scott Adkins cameo. I think it was this long because the creators wanted to use every idiea they had in case this is the last one. Great movie and great series.
I think a dead give away is that in all the previous films after killing the "final boss character" so to speak, they all respond to John Wick by saying, "be seeing you," before succumbing to their wounds. From the very beginning to the 3rd, all these lines to me is a clearcut statement from the writers and directors that John Wick's story was only going to end one way. John himself probably knew and this movie was about him going out on his own terms, really as good of an ending as a man who's lived that kind of life can achieve.
That’s a great point
I agree this is a good point but also in a broader context it's really interesting as something assassins would say to each other, they'll all die the same way eventually, and that way isn't in their sleep. They might have different paths but all share a destination.
Cool, but they're making a fifth one. And more, probably. He's not dead.
well, it's hard to say anything with a bullet between your eyes (the marquis), and donnie yen won't be seeing anybody in this movie.
Interestingly, when I watched this movie for the 2nd time, John's death touched me more, I even teared up. It was beautiful, even poetic, sad, peaceful and plain right. Sometimes heroes just have to go, and it is a great example.
The worst thing they can do to this franchise is to make prequels about younger John Wick. Keanu Reeves' acting is so fitting and his looks are so unique I just cannot imagine any other man playing him.
Hello, Liza. How are you doing today?
Yeah I really don’t think they’d be able to find another actor who fits enough
@@keanureeve877 hi keanu i hope constantine 2 gets made
@@xhillwontmiss thanks for your reply fan. Well, I’m a movie celebrity actor Keanu Reeves also know as John wick. Here’s my personal RUclips channel I use to reach out to my fans for their support towards my career when I came across your RUclips channel here. Anyway may I know you more better? Where originally are you writing from?
I’m pretty sure that many young actors can do the job for prequel! I mean James able to play a young Charles Xaiver very good that same level of Patrick’s Xaiver
As a writer myself I have a preference for beginnings and hard endings. That is what the story is and that's where it ends. The fact that a story ends makes it more valuable and stays in my heart more. I love it when things actually end. I've been following many tv shows over the years, and some have had definite conclusions and I was perfectly happy to see them go, because it psychologically creates that closure for me to have experienced that story completely. Like when you eat a good meal, you start it, then you finish it. You might eat another next day but it won't be the same one. Things are precious because they are finite and ephemeral.
Exactly. This is actually part of the reason I struggle with never ending series like Doctor Who or horror sequels where they kill the villain over and over but you know they come back in the next movie or the end credit scene. I love closed, finished stories
beautiful
What a beautiful words
I don’t want to call myself a writer, but I’m in the process of learning even though I’ve been at the process for 6 years now. I’ve never been to college or anything, I just do research in my free time. But as a writer how do you feel about the monomyth? There’s just something about it that intrigues me so much.
@@TheJoker-bz3ms I wasn't aware of the term 'monomyth', but Google tells me it's the Hero's Journey(?) Is that what you meant? I mean, stories are a reflection of human life - we all get one life that is filled with events that we turn into a narrative. The point of stories I think, is (among many other things that would require a long time to discuss) to teach us how to form and interpret those life narratives in a better way.
I think the best way they can continue forward with the franchise is through spin-offs. They created a world so rich, immense, and lived in that they can totally populate it with equally intriguing characters and storylines. I for one would love to see more characters/actors from other parts of the world like South Korea and Thailand.
They clarified with the newest film that there are Continentals in major cities around the world (I respect that they focused on the Osaka one during that section of the film rather than confirm to cliché and have it situated in an upmarket area of Tokyo such as Ginza).
The Ballerina film is due for release next year that'll supposedly have a John Wick cameo. We'll have to see how that compares as it'll be as important who is behind the camera as it will be the actors performing the action/scenes.
Yes, the spinoffs have potential to be quite good. As long as they find actors and actresses willing to put in the work. Keanu trained for months for each of these films, and it shows. Halle Berry trained like crazy for Chapter 3.
I'm excited for Ballerina! I like Ana De Armas quite a bit, and after Chapter 3, definitely want to see more of the dance theatre and The Director's (Angelica Houston) assassin girls.
@@patrickhoneyman9019 Len Wiseman is directing Ballerina. You'll know him from such films as Underworld, Underworld Evolution, Live Free or Die Hard, and Total Recall (2012 remake).
I'm not thrilled he's who the studio chose, but it is what it is. I am excited for the movie, and Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski are both Producers, so hopefully their influence will be felt in the final product.
Why can’t people just let stuff go. It came and was awesome now let it go and stay awesome without having 50 other things tied to it that could turn out bad.
@@Houdm Nah I wanna see more of this world. That's the true intrigue about the franchise not really the protagonist.
I loved the way they kept it open ended. Really fits into the “boogeyman” persona people have given him
Reaper came close but was scared to talk to John.
I agree. It does not really matter if he is "truly dead", if the "killer" John Wick is dead(alive, but free and retired) or if he is alive and "active"(possible sequel role). The point is, the ending could be whatever the viewer wanted it to be. That is incredible hard to do in a convincing way. Very impressive.
It's nothing new, Hollywood is used to keep endings open just for the money of course
JOHN WICK 5: BABA YAGA
It's not open ended at all. The fact that King had possessions of Johns dog means John is 100% dead. John wouldn't be off enjoying a secret vacation without his dog.
John Wick's death is also very in line with the line he shared with Caine.
"A man who clings to death, will live. A man who clings to life, will die."
John has been clinging onto his life, fighting tooth, nail, nunchuck and gun to survive so that he may be able to remember Helen. I think he finally accepted his death due to seeing his survival also means the death of his friends and there really is no end.
The Bowery King laughing at Winston's shrug and "Who knows?" response when he asked if John went to heaven or hell is all I need to know. Winston covered up John's death to allow him to enjoy a quiet retirement.
That's exactly what I thought, he's retired in a place removed from direct links to this madness, living peacefully with bis dog.
@Isaac Alonzo but he didn't bring his dog, he abandoned his dog.
@@alexcross7583 someone was taking care of the dog since he had to go Europe
@Isaac Alonzo ye but at the end the bowery king takes the dog, so if john is alive he abandoned it.
Let's assume that's true and the writers wanted us to think he's alive. Why couldn't they just give us what we wanted and show him on a beach somewhere cuddling his dog, watching the sunset? What's so hard about that? So either way, it's a shity, blue balled fucking ending, and it made me hate the entire fucking franchise. I'll never watch anything except the first one ever again. I just wanted John to be happy
The way I took the ending was this. When Winston says "John", I interpreted it as "John the assassin is dead". But Jonathan the man, the husband, the man we came to care about is free to grieve like a regular person in private as he was doing in the 1st film.
Same, plus the Marquese said something like killing the idea of John, instead of the man. So it would also make sense that John Wick is dead to the world, so John can finally live a normal life.
But the dog wasnt with him?
@@burhanbudak6041 He might just be in a hospital to recover, and Winston took the dog for that period of time.
Then how is he coming back for John wick 5? Will he return to fight the high table ?
Would really like to see a movie devoted to Donnie Yen's character. I felt he was just as entertaining to watch as John Wick. Also a huge fan of the Ip Man movies Donnie did.
He was my favourite part of the movie lol
Winston's eyes were wet when John asked him to take him home. Loved the subtlety of that shot and a clear indication that Wick was meant to die no matter how much money was made.
I honestly came out of that movie thinking that Caine was going to be the new main character to lead the franchise. They set him up beautifully, showing several times that he is in many ways John Wick's match, and also close to a brother to him. Donny Yen has shown that he has the chops to lead an action franchise, and Caine was incredibly charismatic. The universe clearly has a lot to show, and it'd be great to see other events and places through a different perspective.
idk if he'd carry the franchise/lead it. We love JOHN WICK because of the original movie. the way everyone got behind it just can't be handed over to someone else.Its like Keanu coming in to carry on IP MAN, after Donnie's character died. It just doesn't make sense.
He may be able to do 1 movie, but most people including myself would just go to see what happened to Keanu, then that's the hype gone. at least IMO
The ending scene is a cautionary reveal. The man who kills John Wick, John, by faking his own death, is no longer clinging to life or the idea that he can go back to one as himself if he wants to continue honoring his wife's memory by living on. Caine, however, has been plagued with his weakness of thinking he will ever contact his daughter again. He is the one clinging to life, yet that life is dead. His daughter is dead. He is dead. Essentially, Caine WAS in the wrong the entire movie, despite his efforts to keep his daughter safe. His only choice, was to completely vanish. But he chose to trust that his past would allow him to "retire" as long as he played by the High Table's rules. The only thing the High Table did was exonerate him of blame from their end. All of Caine's stupid actions to become "free" from the High Table damned him with many other individuals that will descend upon him and his daughter for the rest of his life. And those who have no affiliation or care for the High Table are on their own.
John has nothing to protect but his own vows to his dead wife. And if John Wick doesn't want John to be found, he won't be. Thus truly earning his freedom at the cost of never planting down roots again. Caine made a deal with the devil, and trusted him to keep his word. John made a deal with the devil, then shot him in the face.
@@kieranwatt1937 I wouldn't watch anything John Wick related without Keanu Reeves at the helm. No spin offs, no recasts, nothing. I'm fairly sure there's enough fandom out there to make marginal success with other things in the same universe, but for how long? When a large portion of the fan base is there for the actual John Wick, starring John Wick, you've lost pretty much all ability to continue momentum at the current pace. They'd have to bring in constant no-name actors and pay then less to keep costs down and the budget would have to suffer. I think the real question is, which portion of the fandom went to see the movie more than once.
@@CodeguruX great analysis
I want them to do a John Wick 5 mostly because I just can't get enough of him. But also I think it would be great to see another volume of John Wick films where he is free from the high table. Like this chapter in this franchise is over, let's explore something else.
100% agree. John Wick 5 - he's now free of the high table, quit being an assassin, now he and his mate Winston go on a excellent time travel adventure!
@@brentjackson6966 yeah and then John marries a transgender woman to introduce some wokeness in the series..
@@smg6013 Man shut up seriously. Do you guys ever get tired of the shittt y’all say?
@@smg6013 damn, transgender folk really be on your mind 24/7.
Loooool
I am also perfectly satisfied with believing he really is dead. It feels right. The overhead view hunt/fight scene had my son and I absolutely hysterical with glee -- the choreography of that whole sequence is astounding. I will absolutely be seeing it again in the theater (perhaps a couple more times - mostly because of that one scene).
Hello. blue. How are you doing today?
That scene was so fun and awesome, I had a smile painted on my face the whole face. The top-down shots of him just igniting people from 3 feet away with the incendiary buckshot were friggin amazing.
Reminds me of the breach and clear games that sequence was so damn good
I feel like it would be incredibly frustrating if they chickened out of Chapter 4’s ending. Would they bring him back just to somehow conclude it differently, or just have him die again?
I think people who say “John should’ve lived and had a happy ending” don’t understand how stories work.. we knew from the way the story was set up since the 2nd movie - - there was only one way out for John.. you have to honour what you’ve set up - or the story goes completely left field.
Agreed
@First Last the first movie is about a guy whos dog is murdered and proceeds to kill a 100 people exclusively with head shots. I don't think you need to see the second movie to get the real point. It's a popcorn flick. Sure movies like this obviously set up main character death expectations but I've never considered John's fate something integral to the story. I honestly don't think any thing is but the violence and John's personality staying the same. I'm a simple man. If they bright him back for a fifth film and it was as good if not better than the best(honestly id settle as long as it's better than 3)I consider that worth it. I couldn't imagine watching a great 5th John wick movie where he lives and thinking "ah man this breaks the immersion for me now". If you can watch 50 guys run around with full mobility in bullet-proof suits you can suspend your disbelief just a little harder. Honestly if they made a spin off that starts with his zombie hand punching out the dirt I'd watch it with all the glee of a 12 year old girl lol.
I want the franchise to end with him bringing down the High Table.
@@anthonynelson6249 Yes
Never mind the story line. Keanu looked knackered and definitely getting slower. Perfect time to call it a day. I loved the franchise, an amazing set of movies. Thank you once again Keanu, you're a legend ❤
In fairness Keanu was doing a lot of his own stunts. So it really might not be him aging out, it might just be that he was actually physically tired as hell when some of those scenes were shot. I think that, for whatever the explanation is, given the amount of punishment the character has taken, him being a little slower lends some realism in a franchise in which what's realistic is intentionally and overtly cherry-picked.
The way they killed him off in the last one is the perfect way to do it. Ultimately what the films have protrayed is his past coming back to haunt him and preventing him from grieving. That's the reason his dog meant so much, that's what made him take revenge, ultimately every step since the ending of the first movie was to get out of this situation and find peace. Ultimately him winning, it didn't matter if he died, he was finally free from his past, the left over threads sealed and he finally had time not just to grieve but find solace again with his wife. He won over the high table in a way that actually meant something, he beat them at their own game with their own rules. It's a perfect ending for me, genuinely hope they keep him dead for that sake, every step felt justified and I really didn't see it coming.
The ending was similar to Cowboy Bebop. Keanu always wanted to do a live action of the show, and this is about as close as it will get.
Wish more people talked about this, totally an homage to bebop
My thoughts exactly!
I think what I love about this franchise is how much of it revolves around identity. The people under the table call John "Baba Yaga", the table/Marquis de Gramont call John "killer" and remind him that John Wick will always be one. John Wick defines himself differently in the end, almost defiantly, as "Loving Husband". It's why I'd actually be okay with either a literal or symbolic death because either way John Wick, as the world chose to see him, 'died': he escaped the life that he no longer wanted to be defined by.
I would love if there was a fifth film but I also understand that this is a good bookend to his story. That’s why if they were to make another, I think a prequel where we see John take on the impossible mission to get out of game before the events of the first movie would be dope
Yes I was thinking of them doing something like that or how he became so skilled
I feel like that wouldn't be good for the character. Part of what makes him so cool is the mystique around his past and what exactly he did to be so feared. Actually showing it would cheapen the character.
@@shayposting Yeah, this is something that happens a lot with media. Halo, for example, had games that ruined the mystique of the Forerunners and turned them from these ancient, unknown beings into scary monster men.
It's also why attempts at explaining where the Xenomorphs in Alien come from, fail. No one wants to know where the scary land-shark that bites people's heads in comes from, because whatever answer that could be provided by the films would ultimately be less satisfying than the various theories crafted out there.
Exactly. If they do a prequel, I'm hoping they just call it "Baba Yaga" and give us the three men with a pencil scene, the impossible task Viggo gave John, and show him falling in love with his wife and why he wanted to get out. It would make the four current films even more powerful in hindsight.
@@CountOrlok22 Michael Nyqvist "Viggo" died 5 years ago. He can't make a comeback for a prequel. Also Keanu is 9 years older and closing 60.
Keanu Reeves is such a perfect actor for John Wick, he is really talented, the action is chef's kiss
Kid named babayaga
Come on, I absolutely love the guy, but He might be the least talented mainstream actor working today. He delivers each line as if it were the first words he's ever spoken. John Wicks plays to his strenghts, one of which is being a super hard worker, passionate about the story he is telling. He does have incredible charisma, too. I heard someone say he could play Ted Bundy and you'd root for him.
I do agree that he is the absolute perfect actor for this. I can't picture anyone else in the role.
(Spoiler for breaking bad)
He got the same ending as heisenberg
@@LPChipi I agree, after seeing some of keanus line delivery in jw4 I was left thinking “is that really the best take the had for that line?”
I asked my friends about this and they said it kind of fits his character to be sort of akward and not a great speaker.
I also agree with this to a degree. He is good at killing and not speaking I guess is the best explaination.
@@kdogvods964 I can agree to an extent but if you watch speed he does deliver lines better in that movie so he can do it.
I want both, I'm fine with either ending. If they want to bring him back, then great, I look forward to the next movie. If he's truly gone, it was an epic way to go out for the character and I loved his story and we can always watch it again.
After hearing interviews with Keanu and the Director, they’re so excited about all the ideas and possibilities they have and lose threads they left, I have no doubt in my mind that there’s going to be a 5th one.
if he comes back it would feel incredibly forced. “somehow Palpatine returned” levels of forced
@@massterwushu9699 bro no way it’s the same. I respect what you’re saying but I totally disagree. Star Wars forced a villain that was dead back to life with no explanation other than “mysterious ways”. They literally didn’t plan for it, the ship was sinking with “The Last Jedi” and then they decided “let’s try bringing back palatine, no reason on how or why, just cause”. When SW didn’t need him back, nor was anyone asking for him back. They already had a villain in Kylo Ren and Palpatine already had a definite death.
John wick on the other hand didn’t have a definite death. It was left intentionally ambiguous for a reason. Also he’s the main character so it’s not forcing anything if they make a new one. It also logically makes sense because all that needs to be explained is “he survived the gun shot wounds” which as many noticed, weren’t in any particular lethal areas.
If they do keep him dead (which I highly doubt), then this is a good ending for him. But knowing Hollywood, they’re gonna keep milking this.
After 3, a 4th and 5th was confirmed, but now the 5th is paused. Though the franchise is dead after the disaster of 4.
I can already imagine how spin off they can make!
-Mr body
-Caine
- Sofia
-Zero
-Akiras and her father
@@massterwushu9699 Disagree! As long as the creatives are passionate about making a 5th film, it will be worth it.
100% with you on this one. The moment I heard Chapter 2 was being made I needed John to die eventually. I’m fine with leaving John’s impossible task to the imagination but if a 5th film is gonna happen I’d prefer a prequel of some sort
I agree. A good friend mentioned that creators should have an ending in mind to work towards and know when to bring an end to their main character's journey. This tetralogy of films feels like the right amount with the stakes being upped in the right way to the point where John and co. are able to fathom a way out that adhered to the High Table's code.
Let John Wick rest in peace. He's had a great run and now its time for him to be with his wife and hound for the rest of his days.
If you've been paying attention to all of the movies in this series, 4 doesn't give fans the payoff they deserve after 4 films. The High Table is the over-arching series villain that we never get to see John go after.
@@derekjeter1532 It's made clear the high table powerful and unreachable even if kill one they would just replace one. Unless John became part of high table. For me personally this there should be only one movie.
I think I also prefer the idea that John Wick is dead. It makes all those moments like him talking about what he wants on his tombstone and telling Winston to take him home so much more meaningful. Those moments really make it feel that the whole movie is building up to him dying and showing that he dies as a free man and is finally at peace in death. But things like the dog looking off to the side and us not seeing John’s death up close still leave the room for him living on. And he does live on in some form since like they say in the film, beating the high council makes him now a myth that will never truly die. Whether he’s dead or alive, I like that we didn’t see anything conclusive in the film so it could be either way. John Wick is the Schrödinger’s assassin.
There was a great article on Vulture talking about how the only way John Wick could achieve real freedom and peace was to "die" (a.k.a. faking his death). He knows Caine is being hunted down despite him seeming to achieve freedom. This is the fate that John is trying to avoid...and that's why he must disappear off the face of the earth. Anyways, its a great article...it even talks about how Chat and Keanu deserve their freedom too...to do other projects.
The grave scene...that could have happened a year or two after his actual death and burial. We didnt see a funeral, just the guys meeting at his grave. They could always right it that way, then if he's not dead after JW4, the fifth movie could be the events that lead to that actual death. But i agree Chris, it works better with him being dead.
Well said
Well that's an interesting theory , the two scenes are not necessarily connected on a temporal level , even though the one is consecutive to the other
Never thought about that.
It was really reminiscent of the ending of Blade Runner 2049; a mission completed, a father free to meet his daughter, a heavily injured man having a nice lie-down on a flight of stairs. It may just be coincidence, but since K is widely believed to be dead, I’m pretty certain they meant for this to be the end…but they left it open-ended so that when Lionsgate demands Chapter 5, Stahelski can just revive the character.
Remember that Reeves has said that he is willing to make as many John Wicks as he can; it kind of is like any big series ending; almost definitive, but just enough for a comeback, just like Indiana Jones, or Bond.
I hope they don’t make another one. It’s good to end things when it feels right, and this film is the epic finale we were hoping for. Reviving franchises after what seemed to be a satisfying conclusion has rarely seemed to work. Just look at Jason Bourne and Toy Story. Those series would have been better off ending on the notes that they originally did.
Something else that I haven’t really seen anyone point out is the scene where he is in the church with Caine and Caine asks John if he believes his wife can hear him. John says “no” but at the end of the movie when he’s on the steps, he says his wife’s name as if he’s talking to her. I took this as John passing over into the afterlife and his wife was calling out to him. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s dead, but if they choose to keep him dead then that is a beautiful way to end John’s story!
He died.
Chad Stahelski confirmed that they filmed the scene with Caine being killed by Akira that was originally going to be in the actual film, and not the credits but he felt it was cooler being open ending.
I believe that Caine is so spatially aware , when Akira opened the knife (in the post credit scene) it made a “shing” noise. I bet Caine heard it and was able to defend himself
In fact his smile slightly fades once Akira approaches him like knows something is wrong.
Is this a post credit scene? I didn't see it on Prime.
The ending of Chapter 4 struck me as really interesting for a number of reasons. First up, the scene made me think a lot about the finale of Cowboy Bebop, and the ambiguity of Spike's fate. Was his apparent "death" a literal one, or a metaphorical one as he's effectively faced down his past and eliminated everything that was a problem (namely Vicious). Personally, I think that Spike is very literally dead at the finale, as it holds more weight for me.
I could go either way with John Wick's fate. To me, it does absolutely make sense that John Wick has faked his death. The reason for this would be that he knows as long as the High Table and associated crime lords know that he's alive, everybody will want to get a piece of him. People believing he's dead allows him to, well...Rest in Peace.
On the other hand, I think there's something really poignant about Wick's death being legit. With the exception of, maybe, the first movie, everything that happens is because John Wick doesn't want to die. That's really powerful to me because of the level of grief he had to go through in the first movie, up until the end when he adopted the dog and takes him home. It could be argued that Chapter 2 had his sole focus be to seek revenge, but clearly by the end of that movie/beginning of Chapter 3, something has changed and Wick really does want to survive his ordeal. Wick really wants to give his life some kind of meaning outside of bloodshed. Enter Caine...
Caine is someone who's in a very similar situation as John. The key difference though is that Caine has a loved one (his daughter) who is actively being threatened by members of the High Table, particularly the Marquis. Much like John in Ch. 2, Caine really doesn't have a choice in accepting his task, despite not wanting to do so. He even says as much to John, which is why John's so set on trying to destroy the High Table, or at least enough of its members that they'll leave him alone and, as a result, also leave Caine alone. Unfortunately, the members of the High Table are full of people whose pride will not let them accept a loss or insult like that. Even if they were to leave John alone, the last time they did that, he still came out of retirement and raised Hell. So Winston gives John a way out.
So why is it so poignant that John Wick dies for real? As I said, the previous two movies establish that John really does want to live his life. At the climactic duel, he let's himself get shot badly enough that it lowers the Marquis's guard so that he verbally releases Caine and his daughter, before giving John an opening to kill him, ensuring that the Marquis won't be a problem anymore. Even though his injuries from the duel don't appear to be fatal, he could very well have bled out. Or, as others have pointed out, his collective physical trauma all adds up and his body just couldn't take it. Whatever the actual medical cause, John put himself in a position to be killed, and I took the significance of it to mean that his end goal there was to ensure Caine and his daughter were freed. John gave up something that he wanted because somebody else needed help.
With that said, I think they left it ambiguous so that, if they decided to, they can bring John Wick back to kick more ass. Why would he reveal his survival and come out of retirement again? Well, personally, I have seen no evidence in these movies that the High Table will hold to its promises. Caine's daughter will be used against him again (if he isn't killed by the other woman). This would also be the reason why he faked his death, because he knows that as long as the High Table knows he's alive, they won't leave him alone. This makes a lot of sense, because what we've seen of the members of the High Table suggests they're all blue bloods who feel no obligation to their lessers at all. So it's back to Plan A: Destroy the High Table.
Bro this is such an underrated comment, well written
The high table must fall
Absolutely incredible comment, very great insights and fully fleshing out both possibilities.
Some more evidence for why he may be dead for real: poetically, John played an active part in ending the cycle of violence to animals. Coming full circle from the first film, he made an active decision to put his own life after that of another assassin’s animal. He was more prepared to die than to let another dog get killed due to his actions. That’s so poetic and intentional if he’s truly dead, as opposed to still being alive.
I feel there’s something to be said for ‘Tracker’ or ‘Mr. Nobody’. He spends all his time looking up to these figures and or organizations in that underworld and studies it, gets good at it. Follows John’s every move but doesn’t kill John, maybe because he’s not being paid enough or he really can’t kill John Wick because no one can
I also love the end where despite John not being a perfect person, hell even being a good person let alone decent person, he has still developed friendships and relationships and done enough good with the right people in the end to where it does finally pay off in the end. Willem Dafoe helps, Hank from the hotel, Charon, Winston, Bowery King, Sofia, and Hiroyuki Sanada and Donnie Yen. Specifically at the end, Donnie Yen and Winston help him in the end because John Wick has helped them and it’s minor and unspoken and even unthanked but Donnie shoots John just in a place that looks lethal enough to let The Marquis’ guard down. And Winston says something to distract The Marquis just enough to get his guard down and then John gets him. Its poetic and it was awesome
I love this comment. I agree with everything you said. I am fine with either decision they do. Both fates make sense
I would like this to be this character's final bow, not because of anything due to the franchise outliving its shelf life, but I truly feel these films have been leading up to that conclusion. There's just so many superhuman feats this man can do until the stakes don't mean anything. "Home" was with his wife, his grave. Other than having acquaintances and friends, he had already lost his greatest purpose for leaving his old life behind. How he charges into battle isn't a man simply looking for vengeance, but also a man seeking death. Also, by the end of 4, his arc and what he needed to resolve is resolved. They can certainly have his character pop up in the spin off movies, depending on where they land in the mythos. I really hope they don't do a prequel series of films either. I don't think we need more backstory; it's already treaded ground, no need to fill in the holes. Would I have liked he lived? Sure, but narratively, it serves no real purpose than wish fulfillment instead of the story and its logical path.
Honestly I was hoping he’d take down the high table first, but this ending isn’t too bad as well.
Definitely agree. All good stories must come to an end.
John Wick is The One, just like he was in The Matrix films.
@@acow1385 agree. Why not make chapter 5 but without Wick, al let's see someone else follow his footsteps. I trust Donnie Yen as enough star power to be the new face of the franchise, add some other stars..... maybe Scott Adkins could come back as a new character, he was unrecognizable in last film so it wouldn't be a problem. And as long as they maintain the quality of action and world building of previous films I don't see how it wouldn't be successful.
One of Chris’ best videos yet, very well said. Complete insight of how the filmmakers and industries work in reality.
Had to look up some words from the director and Keanu, and if what I read is correct they wanted it to be up to the audience and have it done in a way where it IS a finale for Wick’s story so they could take a break from these movies. However, they did say depending on reception the break could be shorter, meaning Wick’s possible return in future movies.
If he returns, I wouldn’t want it to be focused on Wick himself as his story is wrapped up. I’d want him back as a support character or paragon type character for a new/different protagonist.
In such a sequel, Wick does not even need to be a character at all. He could be referenced, sure. Maybe even a flashback to "something John once did with someone". But these movies have created a world that can stand on its own even without John Wick. I would be interested to see more about Nobody, Caine and Akira.
@@fendelphi I believe there’s one called Ballerina in the works also
They did a test screening with an alternative ending in which it is clear that John Wick lives, and apparently the test audience absolutely hated it.
I'm glad that you mentioned Cowboy Bebop 😅. It was the first thing that came to my mind as I was watching the ending. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the inspiration for the scene and ending. Keanu is a huge Cowboy Bebop fan, and maybe it was a way for him to play Spike Spiegel without getting the role hehehe.
But I agree with you, the ending was perfect, and John Wick 5 could potentially ruin 4.
Keanu is in his 50s, and it's a lot harder for him to train at the level of a John Wick movie.
As a new John wick fan “we want but they shouldn’t” it was the perfect ending. No spin off, just let it be. Great movie 🍿
Was not perfect.
Chris… I don’t think Caine can see his daughter…at all
so stuuupid 💀
Because he’s blind. I see what you did there.
I absolutely agree with you. John choosing his gravestone mark and asking to be taken home was to me a clear indication of his death. Yes, they've left the door open, but if John comes back it'd be too similar to the first film in my opinion. I won't complain if they give us more John Wick, but this ending is as perfect as it gets.
Great content as usual 👏🏻🔥
I believe the line of dialogue between Keanu and Donnie before the final shot is the key. Clinging to live and clinging to death. It mirrors both their desires.... Donnie to live on with his daughter, and Keanu to be "Dead" to the world and be free from everything.
Hopefully Keanu isn't obligated to do another film. This was the perfect ending. I think a spinoff with Shamier Anderson's character would be cool. Or maybe even some backstory or a deeper dive into Donnie Yen's character would be awesome. They teased a little of that at the end.
Thank you for pointing out the similarities with Cowboy Beebop and John Wick 4. That’s exactly what I said to my friend about that ending scene. I think the creators made a clear and deliberate reference to CB with the ending.
Exactly what I thought of when I saw it the first time. Also they cleary been stating that the high table will always be replaced, and Winston, who I personally think is John's father, would always be warning him to be careful and that there is only one way out.
I completely agree with you Chris. His character deserves to be in peace… but I thought the same about the dog and the wide shot on the steps. I want this to be the ending but it probably won’t be. As you said it is amazing and the box office numbers proved it.
I think they could easily do JW5 while keeping him dead. It could be about the aftermath of his death & martyrdom, with conflict stemming from his death, or it could even be a prequel (his "impossible task" alluded to in the first movie). Also I feel like John Wick could easily mirror Mad Max as a franchise - sort of detached legends/stories involving the same character.
its gonna be a new james bond type of thing
"his "impossible task" alluded to in the first movie" NO, PLEASE NO.
Feel exactly the same way. I think to give this character a freeing death was very satisfactory and it'd be very disappointing to see this ending being cheapened
It is the end of John Wick, but he didn't die, he faked his death, is the perfect ending.
Just watched John Wick 4 and it was amazing, my personal favorite movie in the series, beautifully shot, story was really good, the action was epic and overall the movie was a super fun thrill ride, cast was great too, Donnie Yen and Shamier Anderson stole the show, the perfect way to wrap up John Wicks’s story, masterpiece movie, really enjoyed it 👏👏👏👏
That ending was very accurate to the theme of the movie which is called "freedom". It all started with the death of his dog and it ended as intended.
This series has respected its story from start to finish by respecting the character's development bit by bit.
His motivation for fighting in movies 2-4 was to gain his freedom. And the second he got it, he died. That makes the entire plot of movies 2-4 fucking pointless. John Suffered so much, and his actions directly lead to the death of his friends. But all of that would have at least meant something if he lived and got to enjoy retirement. But the fact that he died made it all so fucking pointless. He could have killed himself at the start of the second movie, saved himself pain and suffering(including the death of his friends) and achieved the exact same result. It was a bullshit ending that totally disrespected the story, and the characters. It was a slap to the face of everyone who was rooting for john.
They should follow the tracker guy. The was such a mystery around who he was and what his deal was. I want to see more of him
Me too. He was compelling and bad ass. Definitely needs a spin off.
If they do Chapter 5, I hope it would either be a prequel of John's life, or take place after Chapter 4 and follow the impact of John's legacy through people like Donnie Yen's and Halle Berry's characters who knew John for a long time.
As I get older, I'm starting to appreciate definitive endings. Yeah sure, John Wick is a masterpiece of a saga. But I'd much rather things end on a high note than possibly being milked by Hollywood.
End with John wicks death and not explaining the aftermath of the high table world building? Hardly a high note.
I feel there should be an Oscar category for best color grading also as this would easily make it to top of the list. Visually this is one of the best movies I've seen, up their with Avatar 2.
Photography was just gorgeous, they've been playing with colours since the first one, but 4 shows they went beyond what was necessary to ensure each scene looked gorgeous.
I'm pretty sure Colour grading is considered in the judging of the best cinematography category.
@@derg6222 Good point, forgot about cinematography. Looking at the BTS segments of this movie being shot it's kind of crazy how much color grading went into it.
Even if he is still alive, there’s no point of continuing his story anymore. He got out and got his freedom that he wanted since the first film. Just leave it at that! It was a perfect ending for his character.
I really hope they keep it at 4 with this ending and channel their effort into the spinoffs. a lot of possibility there to build up the world but keep a polished gem with the first 4 films!
It's pretty clear to me at least after reading a bunch of articles and watching some interviews of Chad and Keanu, that they purposefully made the movie open ended. In the beginning of the movie they kept on setting up Wick "having to live a good life before dying", and in the later half of the film they set up Wick as "gone too far and has to die". It's very good writing in my opinion.
Chad and Keanu, particularly Chad, are completely burned out making this film. Chad just a few days ago, made a public statement that he's not going to come back for Chapter 5 no matter what Lionsgate say. A different person will take over the subsequent John Wick Saga.
So is John Wick dead? If according Chad he would definitely say yes because he doesn't want to make John Wick films anymore. If it was Lionsgate they definitely say no he is still alive. Of course, thankfully, the writers have allowed a dual interpretation of the ending.
Me personally I think it made far more sense for him to be alive, as he still hasn't live the good life Helen wanted him too. But, I'm completely ok with him passing away as he finally defeated the high table in their own game. I'd really like to see how the high table crumbles after this, because Wick basically proved to every other denizens of the underworld, that they probably don't need the high table anymore.
Im sure Keanu has also said he won't come back unless Chad does. Chad said in an interview they'll likely sit down in a bar in Tokyo in September when the movie releases there and have a real talk about what they would do for John Wick 5. So until then I'd assume this is it
If Chad really is done, I cannot think of anyone more fitting than Gareth Evans to take up the mantle.
I like the idea that it’s up in the air whether he’s dead or not. Even the wounds inflicted on him were the same non-lethal shots the doctor in the second film asked him for.
No disrespect, it was the third one that happened in
An open ending that can be both a definitive conclusion to the main story as well as a coverup for a potential 5th film. But also a launchpad for possible spinoffs thanks to the notable world building and especially the post credits scene. Great stuff
So I haven’t seen the film yet but the ending I always wanted for John was him just quietly retiring and getting to enjoy life with the dog, while the world thought he was dead. Learning to live life peacefully. So I don’t want another John wick movie but I would love if it later gets confirmed he gets to live life for a little while longer.
I love that the ending is ambiguous and open to the viewer. But as Chris mentioned, the film did so well that a 5th is possible. The way it ended is that it’s up to the writers if they want to bring him back or leave him dead That’s the way I see it.
I think he will come back. I would love to see him gather all the assassins he got to know during the movies that are still alive and go all out war on the high table. Samurai 7 style.
Another part of me also agrees yes it is good ending and excellent closure to the character.
Forcing things to keep going just seems like a bad idea. There’s such a thing as a time to end things, and this is the ending the series deserved. “John Wick” died, and John can finally be at peace, whether it’s in heaven with his wife or off the grid away from the criminal world. But he may never be at peace for as long as he lives because he is wanted by somebody. I still think this was the right place to end it.
Look, if this is the end for John, then it's perfect. However, if Chapter 5 is back on, and we get to see John wiping out the whole High Table, that's even more perfect. I would be happy if they played it safe and didn't over-extend themselves with another entry, but I would also love to see a true flipping of the High Table.
John becoming the high table and wrapping the story there would be so damn satisfying.
@@makatron I don't think that works with John's character. He's a guy seeking a way out of the system, not to become the system.
@@rachelblake2350 maybe he sees becoming the head of the table the best way to ensure nobody cares to cross him
I was kind of hoping to see John kill everyone and take over the high table.
@@rachelblake2350 aint that poetic? Trying everything to get out of the system, but then he became the system he despises?
I didn’t even think about the “can you take me home” as meaning his body. I thought it was more like “I’m so wrecked, I literally can’t do anything alone currently”, and he was clearly okay on the stairs.
And the grave being a metaphorical grave, that John Wick the boogieman is now dead and he’s leaving that life behind. I dead on believed that the shot would end with a reveal that John is also standing there with them and looking at the tombstone
The fade to the graveyard was also absurdly short, like “ok he dead now”
It was very satisfying but I would love to get more too. The director did say in interviews they shot multiple endings and there was one where he is definitely alive but they decided to keep it ambiguous.
I love that it is open-ended. I would be happy with it either way. I think if they make a JW5 and keep him alive, it will be a secret so that he can go after the High Table. Also I think they really laid the groundwork in JW4 for all of the spinoffs and developing these new characters so that the franchise can continue without him at the helm. I think JW4 was masterfully done in many ways
I love this series and I do not like action movies traditionally. But this franchise is so phenomenal in how it subtly turns certain action movie tropes on its head. The movie makes you root for a guy who is essentially a sociopath and points that out to you. The movie features really good fight scenes that also feel tragic because every kill feels like John losing a bit of his soul(again). Every victory John has feels almost tragic because he just wants to die but no one is good enough to kill him.
My take is that it's Schrodinger's Wick. He's both alive and dead at the same time until we get another movie.
😅 nice lets juss keep 4 and leave this cat in the box 🫣
Honestly, from the ending of John Wick 3 i was expecting for Bowery King to start overthrowing the High Table with John's help and other previous/new allies. Idk i felt like 3 was building up for that coup d'é·tat direction
Yeah that's exactly what John Wick 3 ended with
I think I would prefer this to be the end of John Wick, and the filmmakers just go on to make a new franchise; it could even start Keanu Reeves. I DEFINITELY want more action movies like this.
I would love a 5 in a few years. Have him cameo or show up as a horror movie type character taking people out off screen. Shoot it like the docks fight in batman begins.
I absolutely agree that while the fourth film in a series seems a little odd considering the formula usually runs in multiples of 3, the death of John Wick in this film was perfect. He went through absolute hell since the first film driven by vengeance, survival, and finally absolution. Now where I could see the future of the franchise going is a spin-off following Akira (Shimazu's daughter) pursuing Caine (or the consequences of assassinating Caine especially if it occurs near Caine's daughter as the post-credit sequence seems to suggest). I would only see that spin-off really being one film because I don't really see any motivation for Akira to say upend The Table. But I absolutely see her becoming the new head of the Osaka Continental things ending there. Otherwise, honestly I'm ok with the post-credit ending the way it did as well. I've never really took issue with open-ended endings that are left for the audience to fill in. Not to mention, Akira was introduced in presumably John Wick's final chapter with really no character development. So I didn't personally connect with her on a deep enough level to really merit interest following her story. And as for Caine, sure he did get more time for development and connection. But as the movie's theme stated: Consequences.
Just watched it again for like the 3rd time last weekend. I hope they keep making them
100% I absolutely LOVE this character, and as much as it pains me, him being dead is the best way to end HIS story... now I'd absolutely love to see what they do with the spinoff characters. But I'm all in if they do happen to bring him back 😄
Yes! Totally agree. There are hints about The Ballerina.... Even though she was hardly in the movie.
This was a perfect ending for John Wick. I’m okay with him coming back in the Ballerina prequel film but this was a great ending for the character.
I think Winston was talking to the audience as much as he was talking to John. “Where does it end?” I mean he has a suit that is essentially a bullet sponge and adamantium skeleton for fall damage. We can’t keep pushing his story and upping the action any more.
So I think Keanu and Chad came out and said that they would do a 5th if people went out and saw the film. While people are seeing it it's currently tracking way behind the 3rd film. I like that they left it for interpretation and that Chad himself said they were taking a break from making these films anyway. I think right now they want to focus on the 2 spinoffs they are making which I think is great.
I agree they should focus on spin-offs and leave these 4 movies as they are. But just so you know, the 4th movie is not tracking behind 3rd in terms of box office. It’s set to surpass it, and had the biggest opening weekend. Currently it’s at like 306 million and still going, while the 3rd ended with around 320 million
What do you mean tracking way behind the third film? The third film grossed 327 million worldwide and the fourth one is already at 304 million. It’s gonna surpass it for sure.
Chad has Highlander I think, so gotta be a new director, maybe David could come and have a credited directorial entry in the franchise.
@@vladimirlemon8345 apologies Box Office Mojo didn't update for me. Last I saw it it said $276 million for some reason so I think it's still updating from this weekend. Also I agree focus on the spinoffs.
@@KrustydaClown apologies Box Office Mojo didn't update for me. Last I saw it it said $276 million for some reason so I think it's still updating from this weekend.
That throwaway bit of dialogue where Lawrence Fishburne talks about having a grave/faking his own death leads me to believe that he possibly did the same favor for John. That way; if they're truly done with John's story, they can say he's dead here, and if they do bring him back, they can use this as the reasoning.
I thought he was probably alive because of the Winston/Bowery King dialogue, plus it didn't really feel like an ending to me. I think there's a good idea for a potential fifth and final film where Wick is living somewhere else alone in hiding and falls in love again. He has to protect his new love after he's discovered and has one last final battle, Bourne Supremacy style, to live a happy life once more. But I'd be fine with them finishing at 4, I already thought 3 would be the last one until they greenlit a sequel, his injuries in 4 are no where near as severe as they were in 3.
They have a bunch of new characters that would make for good stories to tell that they don’t need to go back to John Wick to continue the franchise. They already have Ballerina and The Continental on the cards, and they have a few new options from Chapter 4 as well:
They can do a spin-off of Donnie Yen and Rina Sawayama’s characters where he tries to show her that the (justified) revenge she’s seeking will only lead to her death, citing John as an example
They can delve into Mr. Nobody and his motivations, what is his limit when it comes to earning the money? He wants a lot, but has a bit of a code. How far does that go? They could also expand on his tracking abilities, and make him have to search for clues to find an elusive, but highly-valuable target
John should stay dead, but the universe should live on and expand so long as they treat it right
At the end when John asks Winston to take him home, Winston clearly looks down and sees that Cain’s last shot was a fatal shot. When the bullet proof jackets are taken away a gut shot is fatal. John knows it and that is why he asks. Winston knows it and that is why he replies the way he does.
Totally wrong . 12&9 Cain and him say the same places he shot the dr non lethal
I really appreciate your perspective on this. Nothing is really set in stone and they will do with it as they see fit.
I loved the ending
Chapter 4 will be ruined if there is a Chapter 5. The sadness and closure of Chapter 4 is what made it great.
Depends...if they pull a Hangover and just do a similar plot then yeah, it'll ruin it. I actually hope they can follow up after Ballerina & The Continental series.
I'm of two feelings about it.
Much like yourself, I like seeing a hero go down fighting (if it's done well), and I think it can be more satisfying than the all-too-often tagged on happy ending or the poetic riding into the sunset. Kiefer Sutherland's Doc Scurlock in "Young Guns II", Sean Bean's Boromir in "The Fellowship of the Ring", Toshiro Mifune's Kikuchiyo in "Seven Samurai" all have these beautiful death scenes where you aren't sure if you should stand up and cheer or dab the tears in your eyes. It can be an opportunity for a morally ambiguous character or antihero to make a noble sacrifice, find some redemption, and to die on their own terms in a manner echoing their way of life as a warrior. It can also win over an audience as Willem Dafoe says in "Spider-Man". The people do love "to see a hero fail, fall, die trying." Though I had more issues with the inconsistent quality of the writing in the series, I would add James Bond in "No Time to Die" to that list as well. I wish Nolan had the guts to do it with Christian Bale's Batman. I also think "John Wick: Chapter 4" is the most emotionally resonant of the films since the first one, and while I love the action and cinematography in "Chapter 3" as well, my issue with the second and third film is that the deep emotional motivation for the character just doesn't feel like it's there. In this film, he's not getting revenge, he's not reluctantly taking out a target, he's not on the run... he's simply trying to get out of this old murderous life that won't let him go. It feels like a fitting end.
That said, I DO want more of this character on-screen, and I do think there are still interesting stories that could be told, exploring his past as a killer (the three men with a pencil), his relationship and desire to settle down, and the impossible task that Viggo gave him. BUT "Chapter 4" was intended to be shot back-to-back with "Chapter 5". Unless they dramatically rewrote "Chapter 4" to make it the final film, which would be odd given the franchise's success, I think that the things you somewhat dismiss are clues. Even at the first showing in my area that I went to, everyone was talking about the Bowery King's laugh and the dog's reaction, and there was a lot of conversation about the line "Those who cling to life die and those who cling to death live." Up until this film, John clung to death, specifically that of his wife and to the death of the puppy and to those whom he killed. In this film, he seems to be choosing to live, but for what? He sacrificed himself essentially so he wouldn't have to kill his friend Caine, who clings to life for his daughter. The post-credit scene reveals that Caine is likely about to die for his killing of Koji, so that line would either be misleading, or we have to assume that John was choosing death by not firing his gun, therefore saying that he would live, leaving Koji's daughter Akira to kill Caine.
It's also worth noting that "The Ballerina" will be a film set between "Chapter 3" and "Chapter 4" and both John Wick and Charon will appear in it. Obviously, Lance Reddick's character can't return, but I suspect the seed will be planted in that film somehow for John's survival. I wouldn't be surprised if it's revealed he had a daughter and that somehow ties into his resurrection and need to be alive.
i lowkey want a back story type of movie where they explain who exactly he is and why he turned into this assassin
They have a comic book series detailing his early life and how he was discovered as an orphan and what led him to be John Wick.
A stunt category at the Oscars is such a good idea! I'd love that
Agree. Honestly that now more relevant these days vs special effects.
Yeah but it would be kinda tragic to start giving out Oscars for stunts AFTER all the wild shitnRom Cruise did the last 10 years. I'd kinda feel they robbed him. They should still do it though.
On the one hand the ending was perfect, poetic, and fitting end for the character and the franchise, true art. On the other hand, $500 million (make JW5). $0 vs. $500 million, such a heart-wrenching difficult decision for a studio executive, lol.
If you pay attention to what was said in the movie, you clearly know that John Wick is NOT dead (especially in the scene where he talks about death with Donnie Yen). But I do love this ending, if they don’t do another one, you can take it as if he’s dead, it’s alright, but there’re a lot of clues in the movie where you can guess that he’s still alive.
They both were shooting each other into not lethal spots. John was shot into the same spots he shot the doctor in the third film, when he instructed him to shot him.
For legacy sake I hope they let John wick die. I don’t want John wick to be the next Jurassic park series or fast and furious franchise. I am also worried about ballerina. I hope that’s good
Amazing beast of a movie!!!! Loved it.
One of the best action movies in the last 20 years.
If John isn’t dead, my interpretation of the “take me home” and “who knows?” lines is him staying in hiding in the continental.
I think it would feel a bit cheapening if he was revealed as alive, but I also wouldn’t be too broken up over seeing more of him. That being said, if we see more John, I’d rather that be in a prequel showing his “impossible task”.
I’m looking forward to any potential spin-offs about other characters like Akira, Caine, the Ballerina (confirmed), Sofia, and Mr. Nobody.