John Wick Explained: 10 key moments you might have missed in the franchise

Premiere Of Summit Entertainment
Premiere Of Summit Entertainment's "John Wick: Chapter Two" - Arrivals - Source: Getty

The John Wick franchise is like a heaven for action movie lovers. It has opened a new horizon in the world of action thrillers. The franchise has captivated the audience with its extraordinary performances and excellent stunt scenes. If you have already watched it, maybe you missed some very important moments. However, below are discussed in detail.


10 key moments you might have missed in the franchise

John Wick's real name and background

John Wick's real name is Zhardani Jovonovich. Born in Belarus, the character grew up as a member of the Ruska Roma criminal group. Later John Wick became known as the top assassin of the Russian mafia. This was not clearly presented in the first film of the series. But it is explained in detail in the later films.

The title "Baba Yaga"

John Wick was given the title "Baba Yaga", the name of a ghostly character in Russian folklore. But you know what John Wick is not actually "Baba Yaga", but "the man sent to kill Baba Yoga". This title is a symbol of his fearsome reputation and skills.

The Death of Helen and John's Retirement

John Wick retired after the loss of his wife, Helen. He was emotionally devastated and left his old life, and began to live a peaceful life. Though this peaceful life did not last long, his pet dog Daisy was killed. And then the twist came, you must watch to know.

The "Marker" System

John Wick: Chapter 2 (Image via Prime Video)
John Wick: Chapter 2 (Image via Prime Video)

The John Wick franchise has a special system, which is the "Marker". It is a blood oath that forces each other to do a job. This system is detailed in the second movie in the series, "John Wick: Chapter 2".

The Continental Hotel and its rules

The Continental Hotel is a neutral place where no murders can be committed. This hotel has its own rules and laws, which are strictly followed in each movie in the series. The hotel manager, Winston, strictly follows these rules.

"Excommunicado" Announcement

In the movies, when John Wick commits a murder at the Continental Hotel, a interesting turning point arises. Then he is declared "excommunicado". This means that John Wick has been expelled from all criminal organizations and a bounty has been announced against him. This brings an important place in the third film in the series, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum.

"High Table" and its power

The High Table is a secret organization that controls all criminal activities in the world. The members of this organization are extremely powerful and disobeying their rules means the death penalty. John Wick fights against this organization, which is the center of the main story of the movies.

Bowie King's Character

Bowie King is a mysterious character who acts as John Wick's assistant. He is the leader of a secret criminal organization and provides John with various weapons and information. His character plays an important role in the fourth film in the series, John Wick: Chapter 4.

Ken's character and his past

John Wick: Chapter 4 (Image via Prime Video)
John Wick: Chapter 4 (Image via Prime Video)

Ken is a blind assassin who is an old friend of John Wick. His character is explored in detail in the fourth film in the series, John Wick: Chapter 4. His past and relationship with John reveal several new aspects of the series' storyline.

The future of the franchise and new projects

There are many new projects underway regarding the future of the John Wick franchise, like "John Wick: The Continental", which is in development. This animated prequel film will discuss


ss John Wick's past and the history of the Continental Hotel.

More you should know

John Wick (Image Source: Prime Video)
John Wick (Image Source: Prime Video)

The biggest specialty of this series is its world-building. The Continental Hotel, the High Table, the Marker, the Excommunicado – these are not just made for the movie, but define an alternative criminal society. A society where there are rules, and breaking those rules has severe consequences.

In addition, John Wick's pain and anger—the death of his wife, the loss of his dog, and the forced return from retirement—all deeply affect the hearts of the audience. Because of this, every fight John Wick faces is not just an external one, but an internal struggle as well.

Another excellent aspect is the film's screenplay and stunts. Each fight scene is as beautiful as the choreography, where John Wick's fighting techniques, weapon skills, and the scenes of defeating the enemy using the surrounding environment are unique in a word.

Through the sequels, we understand that even a professional killer can have love, grief, and a sense of justice in his life. John Wick's character teaches us that no matter how terrible the past, a man can do anything for the one he loves.

Finally, the John Wick series is not over yet. There are new movies, prequels, and television series ahead, which will further expand and deepen the world of this franchise. If you just want to watch action, then this series is definitely for you. And if you prefer a deep story and character analysis, this series will still touch your heart.

More movies like John Wick

If you're looking for more movies that have the same kind of action, thrills, great stunts, and deep character analysis as the John Wick franchise, some great names will impress you.

The Equalizer movies, where a former CIA agent brings justice to ordinary people, much like John Wick's sense of justice. Another movie become quite popular among John Wick fans is "Nobody," where an innocent family man suddenly confronts his horrific past and fights an entire gangster world.

Atomic Blonde, where an MI6 agent takes part in espionage and deadly action missions in 1980s Berlin. More notable is "Man on Fire," the story is a great blend of emotion, action, and a man's pain.

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Edited by Ranjana Sarkar