Chapter 4′ Streams on Peacock in March

The action genre is nothing without, well… action. The best screenplay, cinematography, acting, and catering in the world can’t save an action movie if the fight scenes, chases, and explosions aren’t up to par. But one Keanu Reeves action franchise meets the standard and then blasts right through it, completely redefining the genre. What began in 2014 as a potentially straight-to-DVD action flick has transformed into a multi-billion-dollar franchise that spawned a tidal wave of imitators and completely redefined action cinema in the 21st century.

Atomic Blonde and Netflix’s Extraction were decent imitations, but nothing compares to the intense style and action of John Wick. All four movies in the core franchise are brilliant (and Ballerina: From the World of John Wick has its fans). But each film massively increased the scale and scope of its predecessor. The most recent entry, John Wick: Chapter 4, took things to new heights as Mr. Wick (Reeves) trotted across the globe to find the High Table and finally retire peacefully. We’re not saying you need to re-watch all four John Wick movies this weekend… but you certainly should, especially because John Wick: Chapter 4 is about to stream on Peacock.

John Wick was the brainchild of screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who has written all four movies in the core franchise. David Leitch and Chad Stahelski co-directed the first film, with Stahelski taking over as the sole director for the remaining three (and potentially for the next one). Reeves brought his usual dry line deliveries and complete dedication to the stunts in John Wick, and it’s why the movies work so well.

‘John Wick’ Is By Stunt Performers, For Stunt Performers

Stunt performers are the backbone of the filmmaking industry. The Oscars still haven’t given them the recognition they deserve, but movies like John Wick give performers a chance to show off everything they’ve got. Stahelski was Keanu Reeves’ stunt double on The Matrix and has worked as a stunt professional for decades. He brought that knowledge to John Wick, with each fight scene emphasizing a different element of stunt work.

The first movie predominantly focuses on hand-to-hand combat and gunplay (or “gun-fu” as it’s unofficially called). John Wick: Chapter 2 then upped the ante by incorporating more driving and car stunts, while increasing the intensity and frequency of the shootouts and also cementing the franchise’s neon-drenched visual style. Chapter 3 might be the most over the top, with a horse chase through New York and ninjas on motorcycles. But the grounded choreography made it all work. Then there’s Chapter 4, which capped off the franchise by incorporating a piece of everything and pushing it to its very limits. Trust us, you’ve never seen fight scenes like John Wick: Chapter 4.

Will ‘John Wick: Chapter 5’ Actually Happen?

David Lee/©Summit Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection

Following the release of Ballerina in 2025, all eyes have turned back to Reeves and Stahelski for another John Wick movie. Chapter 4 was initially billed as the final one, especially given its ending. After the movie was released in 2024, though, Stahelski and Reeves both expressed a desire to make a fifth film. However, at the time of writing, that sequel is still in the very early stages of development, and it still may never happen.