John Wick’s Surprising Accuracy To The Mafia Explains Why Keanu Reeves’ Action Franchise Has Gone 4 Movies Without A Flop

The John Wick franchise’s surprising accuracy to the mafia explains why Keanu Reeves’ titular character has appeared in four highly successful movies. John Wick has become a massive name in the action movie genre in the last decade as Keanu Reeves’s character has become a fan-favorite all over the world. As a result of the movie franchise’s $1 billion box office success, John Wick now has many spinoff TV shows and future movies planned for development; one of which includes the new Ballerina movie set in John Wick’s universe, which will release in June 2025.

Despite the many changes in the John Wick franchise since its 2014 movie, there is one thing that remains the same; the way the world of John Wick has been built around a mafia-like system of hitmen. As characters navigate this world, they find themselves battling over targets and forming allies in a way that is reminiscent of the famed organized crime unit. With John Wick’s proven dedication to authentic representations in its fight scenes and gun handling, it comes as no surprise that the movies have some element of accuracy in the portrayal of the mafia.

The John Wick Movies Are Surprisingly Accurate To The Mafia

John Wick’s Shootouts Were Praised By Expert

Keanu Reeves as John Wick in the Red Circle nightclub

John Wick’s portrayal of the mafia brought a positive reaction from experts. In an interview with Insider, former CIA agent and Russian mafia investigator Joe Serio gave John Wick a 7 out of 10 for accuracy, stating that “Maybe not quite as many bodies dropped in a five-minute period as John Wick,” but “Shootouts in nightclubs or bathrooms or anything like that, that’s accurate.” This is of course a reference to the nightclub shootout in the first John Wick, as the hitman hunted down Iosef (played by Alfie Allen).

The nightclub shootout in 2014’s John Wick has also become famous due to Keanu Reeves’ use of the “magazine flip” reload technique, showcasing an impressive level of fluidity from the actor. John Wick uses a lot of weapons throughout the movies, so the shootouts are extremely important to get right. With an authentic use of reloads – multiple reloads typically aren’t seen in action movies and most guns have infinite bullets – Keanu Reeves’ extensive gun training, and mafia experts praising the franchise’s accuracy, John Wick has definitely nailed the art of realistic action, which only adds to its fantastic worldbuilding.

John Wick’s Authenticity Is Felt In Its Amazing Worldbuilding

The Franchise Is Full Of Interesting Lore

Laurence Fishburne as the Bowery King smiling in John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum

The world that John Wick is set in feels very different from other action movies due to its authenticity. Director Chad Stahelski has explained the planning process for building John Wick’s universe through a range of sequels and spinoffs, with each new installment focusing on new corners of that world. Stahelski has described the process as going “full Lord of the Rings” in that they decided to make a fantasy world full of concrete lore. As John Wick’s universe expands with each release, the franchise can showcase this lore about the vast underground network of secret assassins, making it feel both fantastical and grounded.

John Wick’s Main Continental Hotels

Name

Location

Appearance

Continental

New York

John Wick (2014)

Il Continentale

Rome

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Continental Casablanca

Morocco

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

The Continental Osaka

Tokyo

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

The introduction of the Continental was a huge part of John Wick’s world expansion as it brought about something to connect the characters and their ideals. With a Continental in nearly every city, the hitmen have a central hub to return to that helps them with their jobs, from stocking up on weapons to simply getting a good night’s sleep. The Continentals are crucial for making the world of John Wick feel authentic as, in a domain of violence, there needs to be a certain structure and code in place that audiences can relate to, which also feels realistically plausible.

John Wick’s Accuracy Helps Wick Himself Feel Like A Real Character, Not A Superhero

John Wick Is More Grounded Than Other Action Franchises

Keanu Reeves before a fight as John Wick in John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum

John Wick’s accuracy not only affects the worldbuilding but also the characters, as John Wick himself feels like a real character instead of a superhero. Following the shootout at his home in the 2014 movie, John Wick makes a “dinner reservation” for the 12 dead bodies, which turns out to be a cleaning crew. This scene establishes the reality of the franchise, and the oddity of the interaction is something that John Wick clings to, demonstrating something that other action movies wouldn’t; John Wick is just one guy, and so he will need help in disposing of 12 bodies.

John Wick has made a name for itself in the action genre, however, the movies in the franchise also have quite a few funny scenes that set it apart.

There are plenty of scenes in John Wick that make no sense, and there are definitely a few “superhero” moments as Keanu Reeves’ character defies all odds. However, for the most part, John Wick is more grounded than other action franchises, with John becoming frustrated when things don’t go to plan, having knife throws completely miss their mark, and being kicked around by his enemies. It is the somewhat realism of the characters and world of John Wick that has made the franchise so enjoyable to watch, and so hopefully future projects will reinforce this to merit them a similar success.

Sources: Insider

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John Wick

“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.

Created by Derek Kolstad

Upcoming Films Ballerina

Cast Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Donnie Yen, Laurence Fishburne, Mel Gibson, Ian McShane, Michael Nyqvist, Willem Dafoe, Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgard, Alfie Allen