TheJohn Wickfranchise is renowned for its fantastically choreographed fight scenes, with Keanu Reeves delivering impressively fast-paced action. Since the success of the first film in 2014,John Wicknow has four movies and three spinoffs in development. AlthoughJohn Wickdelivers a dark and gritty universe full of assassins, with Keanu Reeves’ titular character being the most feared of them all, there are moments of levity within the violence, offering a surprising layer of humor to the franchise.
Amid the high-stakes violent combat, John Wick offers exasperation when things don’t go to plan and human mishaps that bring the far-fetched grim world back into reality. Arguably,the comedic moments inJohn Wickhave become just as important to the franchise as its action sequencesbecause they set it apart from other action movies. From deadpan deliveries to slapstick physical comedy, John Wick showcases various forms of comedy throughout its four-movie franchise.
10"Oh."
John Wick
When Viggo calls Aurelio to ask why he struck his son, we are given the first of a recurring joke in 2014’sJohn Wick. Despite Viggo’s menacing demeanor and anger at the situation, the moment Aurelio explains what happened, Viggo simply utters a resigned, “Oh.”The complete lack of argument from the otherwise dangerous criminal shifts the tone completely off-kilter, and the second iteration of this line by his son makes it even funnier.
9“You Working Again?”
John Wick & John Wick: Chapter 2
The beat cop, Jimmy, appears inJohn WickandJohn Wick: Chapter 2, and his appearance is purely comedic because he repeats the same line. Following John’s violent shootout at his house,Jimmy awkwardly shows up yet wants nothing to do with the situation, offering pleasantries despite the obvious dead body in the background. Thecharacter’s return in John Wick’s sequelmakes the line even funnier because, although John’s house is on fire, Jimmy still goes through the same pleasantries and leaves as soon as he can.
8The Sommelier
John Wick: Chapter 2
Much like the“dinner reservation” code used inJohn Wick,John Wick: Chapter 2has a scene in which an everyday situation is used to mask criminal elements. Peter Serafinowicz’s Sommelier supplies assassins visiting The Continental with firearms and ammunition. However,John and the Sommelier only ever talk about the various weapons in a bizarre reference to wine tasting, making for great comedy as John prepares for a violent assault.
7Subtle Subway Shootout
The subtle subway shootout inJohn Wick: Chapter 2demonstrates the perfect mix of action and comedyfor the franchise. As John and Cassian make their way along the subway, they very subtly shoot at each other with silencers on their guns. The whole setup is reminiscent of a comedic sibling rivalry in that they are slyly trying to get one over each other while trying not to draw attention, and their side eyes make it even funnier.
6The Undefeatable Sumo Wrestler
During the visual manifestation of the famous pencil kill story, John Wick finds himself fighting an undefeatable sumo wrestler.The scene has a lot of physical comedy as John repeatedly punches and strikes the larger man to no avail, whereas the guy has no problem picking John up and throwing him across the street. In addition, multiple gunshot wounds barely affect the sumo wrestler, and John gets rather visibly exasperated as he struggles, showcasing a relatable comedic edge to the violent scenario.
5Using A Horse As A Weapon
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
John Wick has used quite a few weaponsthroughout the franchise, butJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellumintroduces the most unexpected weapon against assassins ever: a horse. In quite possibly the most bizarre scene in theJohn Wickfranchise, John fights a group of people in a barn. Lacking a weapon, with enemies keeping the guns firmly out of his reach, John positions people behind a horse and hits it, causing the horse to kick them down. Aside from the pencil, this method of killing is one of the most absurd.
4Antique Armory Throwing Knife Fight
In a classic example of human error,John Wick finds himself fighting two assassins in an antique store full of weapons with just his fists. After both John and Huang do a double take at what is available around them, they begin to have a rather pathetic throwing knife fight. In an interview withPolygon, director Chad Stahelski called it, “a snowball knife fight where nothing fits,” claiming that “it’s super serious. No one’s trying to do a gag,” which makes it even funnier.
3Zero Is A Fan Of John Wick
As Zero and John are fighting inJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, when they sit down in the Continental, audiences would expect there to be a lot of tension between the two serious assassins. Despite the numerous chairs and ample space available,Zero decides to sit ridiculously close to John, building up tension in the silent scene. However, this tension is abruptly (and hilariously) broken by Zero’s apparent fanboy moment as he gushes over John and his dog.
2Caine’s Doorbell Alarms
John Wick: Chapter 4
Caine was an interesting addition to the latest film, so much so that there will beaJohn Wickspinoff about Caine. The character is shown to be a proficient fighter, delivering quick punches at his enemies, but is also well-prepared with his motion sensor alarms inJohn Wick: Chapter 4’skitchen scene. Yet,the kitchen scene turns into a funny gag as the sensors emit the most doorbell-like sound, which does not fit with the tone at all.
1The Endless Sacré Coeur Stairs
John Wick: Chapter 4delivers a brilliant setup and punchline in its Sacré Coeur staircase scene, which is only made more hilarious by its length. Tense music kicks in as John reaches the long staircase and begins to battle various groups of people as he struggles his way to the top. However, when he reaches the top,the punchline is delivered as John is kicked down countless flights. Just when you think it’s finished, he tumbles down even more, and it showcases a fantastic moment in whichJohn Wickbecomes more comedy than action.
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.
