What can we learn from John Wick?

If you haven’t seen the John Wick movies yet, I highly recommend them, not just for their thrilling action scenes and stunning cinematography, but also for the complex and charismatic character at the center of them. John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, is a retired hitman who gets pulled back into the criminal underworld after a series of tragic events. But what can we learn from his story?

First, let’s look at John Wick’s character background. He used to work for a mysterious organization called the High Table, which maintains a strict code of honor and rules over the assassins’ network. John was so feared and respected that he earned the nickname “Baba Yaga,” which means the boogeyman in Russian folklore. However, after falling in love with his wife, who later died of illness, John left the High Table to live a peaceful life. He even got a puppy as a final gift from his wife, who wanted him to have something to love and take care of.

Unfortunately, John’s brief happiness is shattered when some thugs break into his house, steal his car, and kill his dog. This is where John’s journey of revenge and redemption begins, and we see what makes him so unique and inspiring. John Wick is a man of intense focus, discipline, and resilience. He has a set of skills that he has honed over the years and uses them with deadly precision. He also has a sense of justice and loyalty that guides his actions, even when they put him in danger. John is not just a killing machine; he’s a human being who values honor, respect, and dignity.

However, John Wick is not flawless. His flaws are what make him more relatable and human. He’s haunted by his past, which he can’t escape, and sometimes struggles with his emotions, especially when he confronts his former colleagues or allies who betrayed him. He’s also vulnerable to physical injuries and exhaustion, which he has to overcome with pain and willpower. Finally, John’s thirst for revenge can sometimes blind him to the bigger picture and put him in more trouble than he bargained for.

So, what can we learn from John Wick? We can learn that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we can find the strength to fight back and make a difference. We can learn that our skills and passions can be used for good or evil, and that it’s up to us to choose wisely. We can learn that honor and loyalty are not empty words but powerful values that can shape our identity and purpose. And we can learn that our flaws and vulnerabilities can be our greatest assets if we embrace them and use them to connect with others.