They killed his dog. They stole his car. They woke the Boogeyman.

In this week’s Born to Watch episode, Whitey, G Man, Damo, and returning guest Bones suit up for John Wick (2014), the sleek, stylish revenge thriller that redefined modern action cinema and reignited Keanu Reeves' career.

From the moment Daisy's fate is sealed, we're all in on Wick's mission. This John Wick Movie Review isn't just a breakdown of the action (though there's plenty of that), it’s a deep dive into the film's razor-sharp choreography, cool-as-ice world-building, and why it's become a modern classic.

We kick things off with our "overs and unders" rewatch count—Bones leading the way, Damo admitting he was late to the party, and G Man confessing he's only seen it twice. Whitey takes us back to his video shop days in 2014, when he first stumbled on John Wick and knew instantly it was something special.

From there, it's all action:

Breaking down the legendary Red Circle nightclub sequence.

Counting the kills (84 in total—just for Wick).

Celebrating the signature "two to the body, one to the head" technique.

Laughing at Kevin Nash's polite Russian bouncer cameo.

But John Wick isn't just about the bullets; it's about the world. We explore The Continental, the gold coin economy, the 'no business on Continental grounds' rule, and how these details make the universe feel lived-in and fascinating. Ian McShane's Winston, Willem Dafoe's Marcus, and Michael Nyqvist's Viggo all get their due.

Keanu Reeves' transformation into John Wick is front and centre, with his precision, stoicism, and physical commitment to the role. We talk about how his stunt training, tactical reloads, and judo throws brought a level of realism rarely seen in modern action films.

Of course, in true Born to Watch style, we go off on a few tangents:

The Etiquette of Russian Baths and Japanese Onsen.

The magical pills Wick's doctor gives him.

Whether Russians are cinema's ultimate movie gangsters.

The debate over whether Iosef’s death was an anticlimax.

We also cover the film's box office performance, which grossed $86 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, and how strong word-of-mouth led to three sequels, a spin-off (Ballerina), and a TV series (The Continental).

It's part celebration, part roast, and all Born to Watch, our unique mix of movie nerdery, nostalgia, and nonsense. If you're a fan of modern action movies, slick revenge stories, or Keanu Reeves at his absolute best, this is an episode you can't miss.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Is John Wick the best modern action film or just a stylish headshot marathon?
Which kill in the Red Circle nightclub is your favourite?
Was killing the puppy the ultimate way to make audiences cheer for revenge?

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