WICK IS PAIN (2025)

SYNOPSIS: Witness the never-before-seen footage and true story behind the John Wick phenomenon, starring Keanu Reeves – from independent film to billion-dollar franchise.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Over the past decade, John Wick has gone from sleeper hit to genre-defining action phenomenon. With its success, leading man Keanu Reeves enjoyed a career renaissance while former stuntmen-turned-directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch became some of the hottest names in Hollywood.

Wick Is Pain dives deep into the making of the original John Wick (2014). It’s a must-watch documentary for fans of the billion-dollar franchise especially when you consider that no one initially wanted to finance or distribute the film. That is, until Eva Longoria stepped in at the last minute with a $6 million check, saving the production after an investor pulled out.

The documentary is largely led by Reeves and Stahelski who recount how they first met and how Stahelski got his start as a stunt double for Brandon Lee in The Crow. Leitch, who went uncredited as co-director due to complicated DGA regulations also joins the conversation to discuss his creative partnership with Stahelski.

Throughout the film, we witness the literal and figurative blood, sweat and tears poured into the project. Stahelski opens up about personal struggles including relationship troubles with his former partner, stunt coordinator Heidi Moneymaker. Leitch discusses his efforts to break away from the franchise to direct Atomic Blonde. Meanwhile, Reeves demonstrates unwavering dedication to performing his own physically demanding “gun-fu” stunts.

Credit also goes to director Jeffrey Doe, who ensures the spotlight isn’t only on the stars. Producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee share juicy behind-the-scenes stories, while Reeves’ stunt double Jackson Spidell breaks down the jaw-dropping fall from Chapter 3, a scene you might assume was CGI.

Given the scope of the franchise’s stuntwork, the documentary can’t cover everything. We get brief glimpses of the iconic knife fight, the attack dogs alongside Halle Berry’s character, and a short segment on how Donnie Yen joined Chapter 4. Honestly, a full series on the John Wick stunts feels necessary, two hours just isn’t enough to do justice to such a groundbreaking saga.

Despite minor omissions, Wick Is Pain is an electrifying, insightful documentary especially for diehard fans of the Baba Yaga himself. Whether or not Ballerina lives up to Wick remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Reeves is John Wick. Wick is pain. F*** yeah!

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee