Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Extreme, over-the-top violence in Reeves' action epic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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John Wick: Chapter 4
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say this film is packed with thrilling action and features many intense fight scenes, but it is not suitable for younger audiences due to graphic violence and strong language. While some find it to be the best action movie ever, there are warnings about disturbing scenes and excessive bloodshed throughout the story.
- intense action
- strong violence
- mature audience
- graphic content
- lots of swearing
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is cut off from the Continental, and everyone who ever tried to help him is in trouble with a powerful member of the High Table who's known as the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård). The Marquis starts by shutting down the Continental Hotel in New York. Wick is lying low at a sister hotel in Osaka, Japan, thanks to his friend, hotel manager Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada). Unfortunately, the Marquis knows Wick is there and sends an army to dispatch him, including another of Wick's old friends, blind swordsman Caine (Donnie Yen). Wick escapes and vows revenge against the Marquis, but, according to the rules, Wick must challenge him to a duel. Unfortunately, even that much isn't going to be easy.
Is It Any Good?
Clocking in at a hefty 169 minutes, the fourth Wick movie spreads its wings and goes full-blown epic. Every single shot is a dazzler, it has a surefooted pace, and the simple story is elevated to mythical status. The original John Wick was stripped to the bone, clean and classic at just 101 minutes, but by the time John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum came along, the franchise had become flabby -- and exhausting.
But if this franchise as a whole has been inspired by Sergio Leone, then John Wick: Chapter 4 is akin to The Good, the Bad & the Ugly. The cinematography is consistently luxurious, calling to mind the indelible images of movies like Kill Bill, Skyfall, and Blade Runner 2049. And if that wasn't enough, director Chad Stahelski reaches high and pays homage to Lawrence of Arabia, Taxi Driver, and The Warriors, too. His pacing is supremely confident: He knows when to rest, when to pour on the clear, vivid action, and when to ramp it up another impossible notch. Ultimately, John Wick: Chapter 4 still isn't really about much more than violence and revenge, but this time Wick and his various layers of ambiguous friends/enemies (including the amazing Yen and a very good Shamier Anderson as the Tracker) find themselves wriggling between the concept of ending violence and the worrisome notion that this may not be possible.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about John Wick: Chapter 4's violence. How did it make you feel? Shocked? Thrilled? Do you think all of it is necessary to the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Is John Wick a hero or a villain? How can you tell? Is it OK to sympathize with characters who do illegal or wrong things?
John is strongly motivated by revenge. Is that understandable? Is revenge ever an acceptable excuse for violence?
How important are rules in this story? Are rules made to be broken? What about rules in your home or school?
How does this sequel compare with the other entries?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 24, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : May 23, 2023
- Cast : Keanu Reeves , Donnie Yen , Bill Skarsgård
- Director : Chad Stahelski
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 169 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive strong violence and some language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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