‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Review:A Thrill From the First Bullet to the Last
Written by SOURCE on March 24, 2023
In talking about John Wick: Chapter 4, it’s best to discuss South Park first.
In browsing TikTok the other day, I came across a recirculated video of Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone lecturing a group of NYU students over a decade ago about storytelling—specifically, the idea that good scripts are moments assembled around the concept of “but” or “therefore.”
“This happens, and therefore, this happens,” says Parker in the clip. “But this happens; therefore, this happens.” It’s a simple concept, but it highlights the importance of cause and effect throughout storytelling.
Messing around and finding out is the core ethos of the John Wick franchise, but the latest installment of the Keanu Reeves-fronted action series turns its gaze towards the horizon and sees the chickens come home to roost. Picking up moments after the end of Parabellum, Chapter 4 begins with Wick renewing his crusade against the High Table and its governance over the shadowy underworld of assassins. Only this time, the Table is taking a more involved approach, sending high-ranking official Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) to execute a series of schemes to bring Wick down once and for all.
