John Wick: Chapter 4 — release date, reviews, trailer, cast and everything we know about the Keanu Reeves movie
Keanu Reeves returns for more action in John Wick: Chapter 4.
While many have tried, no one has been able to kill John Wick yet, but that doesn't mean people won't still be at it in John Wick: Chapter 4, the next installment of the Keanu Reeves-led action franchise.
What started off as a small action movie has become one of the most popular and acclaimed roles of Reeves' career. Each movie has gone bigger: expanding the world of assassins that John Wick occupies and ratcheting the fight sequences to brand new levels. Fans are eager to see how Chapter 4 is going to do the same, as it is one of the most anticipated 2023 new movies.
Here is everything that we know about John Wick: Chapter 4.
John Wick: Chapter 4 release date
John Wick: Chapter 4 arrives exclusively in movie theaters on March 24 worldwide. Tickets are on sale now.
Though there were plans for it to come out in 2022, those behind the movie tried to break the news of a delay to their fans in a pretty cool way, announcing the release date in a short video featuring the pool of wire operators that handle all the assassin contracts in the movie's universe:
Be seeing you. 3.24.23. pic.twitter.com/7r9KKjEhSCDecember 22, 2021
The fourth entry in the John Wick franchise helps make March 2023 a particularly busy one, as Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Creed III, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Scream 6 are all premiering in the month.
John Wick: Chapter 4 trailer
The official trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 is here, featuring some killer moves and teasing some great faceoffs for Reeve's assassin. See for yourself below:
Also check out this previously released sneak peek:
Also, more promo material is likely on the way, as Lionsgate has teased that February 13-17 is going to be "Wick Week," with new exclusive content being dropped every day. That includes the final trailer ahead of the movie's premiere, which features John Wick doing what he does best, killing bad guys in the coolest ways possible:
You can also see some new footage and behind-the-scenes materials in this feature for John Wick: Chapter 4.
John Wick: Chapter 4 reviews — what the critics are saying
After the John Wick: Chapter 4 first reactions got the hype rolling for the action movie, official reviews are starting to come in following a special screening at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 13. In our John Wick: Chapter 4 review, What to Watch thinks it has earned and can hold the title of best action movie of the year.
As of March 21, John Wick: Chapter 4 is officially "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 94%, which currently ranks as the best in the franchise.
John Wick: Chapter 4 plot
Ever since he was brought back into the world of assassins after his dog was killed by a gangster's kid, John Wick has been trying to escape and get back to a normal life. Unfortunately, despite racking up the body count, he's been unable to do so and at the end of John Wick: Chapter 3, he was betrayed by long-time ally Winston but gets help from the Bowery King to once again try and beat the High Table that runs this massive network of killers.
In John Wick: Chapter 4, John is offered his clearest path to freedom yet. But of course, a lot more people are going to need to die. Here's the official synopsis:
"John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes."
John Wick: Chapter 4 cast
Keanu Reeves is back as John Wick, aka Baba Yaga, the most feared assassin in the world. The role of John Wick has been a career revitalizing one for Reeves. Not that the actor had stopped working, but it brought him back to the height (perhaps even exceeding it) that he had when movies like Speed and The Matrix trilogy were playing: a true A-list actor that can bring fans into the theater.
Also returning for another go around are John Wick veterans Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) as Bowery King, Ian McShane (Deadwood) as Winston.
Sadly, on March 17, John Wick star Lance Reddick, who returns for Chapter 4 as Charon, passed away at the age of 60. It is reported that he died of natural causes.
Reeves and director Chad Stahelski gave this statement to Variety on Reddick's passing:
"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly."
New members of the John Wick universe include Bill Skarsgård (IT), Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train), Shamir Anderson (Invasion), pop star Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins (Day Shift), Natalia Tena (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Marko Zaror (Alita: Battle Angel), Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) and Donnie Yen (Ip Man), who John Wick fans are probably most excited to see Keanu Reeves fight.
What to Watch sister publication Total Film has also has a look at many of the key players of the John Wick cast on the cover for their February issue. Take a look below:
Exclusive! John Wick: Chapter 4 fronts the new issue of Total Film magazine, which features exclusive interviews with Keanu Reeves and the filmmaking team.The subscriber exclusive cover (left) is in the mail to subs now; the newsstand cover hits shelves on Thursday, 2 Feb! pic.twitter.com/veSR7YfxMGJanuary 27, 2023
John Wick: Chapter 4 runtime
John Wick: Chapter 4 clocks in at two hours and 49 minutes, the longest in the franchise.
However, according to director Chad Stahelski, the initial John Wick: Chapter 4 runtime was even longer, at a whopping three hours and 45 minutes. Thankfully, they were able to cut it down.
What is John Wick: Chapter 4 rated?
John Wick: Chapter 4 is rated R in the US and 15 in the UK for "pervasive strong violence and language."
John Wick: Chapter 4 director
Just as Keanu Reeves has led the John Wick franchise in front of the camera, Chad Stahelski has been responsible for it behind the camera and continues doing so as the director of John Wick: Chapter 4.
Prior to directing John Wick, Stahelski was a stuntman and stunt coordinator. This included being Reeves stunt double in The Matrix movies and working on other high-profile projects like V for Vendetta, Rambo, The Expendables, The Hunger Games and The Wolverine.
Stahelski is slated to expand beyond John Wick soon, with him attached to direct a Highlander remake and an adaptation of the video game Ghosts of Tsushima.
John Wick: Chapter 4 poster and images
Check out the John Wick: Chapter 4 poster (with John sporting a "killer" tied) and images right here.
How to watch John Wick movies
If you want to catch up with the first three John Wick movies before John Wick: Chapter 4, here's what you need to know.
All three movies are streaming on Peacock or are available via digital on-demand in the US. In the UK, they are all streaming on Prime Video.
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Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.