John Wick 1

Introduction Beginning End

• Natural death of Helen; his wife
that introduced him to Love &
civilian life
• Q: What are its consequence/s?
• Iosef killed Daisy; gift from Helen
signifying John’s opportunity to
grieve unalone.
• Q: Why kill further?
• John seeked a redemptive path of
humility; saving a dog to be killed
tomorrow to accompany him in
loneliness & grief
• Q: Why save another
dog?

THINK!
John Wick’s heart is dealing with the loss of his wife; to grieve in loneliness – his only
purpose to continue living. But it was taken from him.
What will you do if you lose your only purpose?

Introduction
• Q: What are its consequence/s?
• Natural death made him
confused & extremely lonely.
Helen was his only purpose after
quitting. When she naturally died
no one is to blame
John Wick 1
Beginning End
• Q: Why kill further? • Q: Why save another dog?
• His need to grieve expanded • To re-start grieving
exponentially when daisy got
killed out of ‘fun’. This sin got
inherited leading to mass ruin

Why is John Wick Good?

1. We sympathize with him with the murder of his puppy
2. It’s heavily realistic
3. We all had our worst/bad days
Movie Takeaways:
JW fully knows what he’s doing, it’s not a simple vengeance but a
controlled and calm manner to have ‘justice’
JW was never out of control & the only time he displayed emotion
was when he was explaining who & what is Daisy to him
His ‘civility?’/being civilian was completely taken from him
He lost his purpose, so in order to regain it he must journey
‘Redemption’; Is John allowed to find redemption though his hands
are filthy?
Why did Keanu Chose JW?
Script (Tribute Movies Similarities of the Two:
Interview; https://youtu.be/XIwMdb8QCyc)
“I like John’s grief, the John Wick Keanu Reeves
way he suffer – he chose • Man of focus • Man of focus
the life of love instead of • Commitment • Commitment
the dark. He was given • Sheer will • Determination
the dog as token of grief • Respect • Respect
• Man of Action • Man of Action
& unloneliness and it was • Humility • Humility
taken from him” -2014 • Reserved • Reserved
Interview: https://youtu.be/-aUgYgUVxhQ
Why did Keanu Chose JW?
Personal Side Note on Keanu:
In 1999 he was expecting a child with his then girlfriend Jennifer Syme, sadly it
died stillborn. In 2001 she was killed in a car crash. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000206/bio
He was not rumored to anyone not until 2019 when he publicly announced
their relationship. https://bit.ly/3JUqbpy
He gives significant amount of donation for research on Leukemia treatment as
his sister once suffered leukemia

Q: Does Keanu have personal take on John Wick?

Outline: “They Shouldn’t Have Killed His
Dog”
• Who is Daisy
• Token of grief from dead Helen
• “semblance of hope to grieve unalone”; his thin string of purpose to grieve
• Killed in front of him
• Her death brought mass ruin
• Who is John Wick?
• “A man of focus, commitment, and sheer will”-Viggo
• Gained justice in the death of Iosef
• Rescued a dog to be killed tomorrow. Why?
• Link Between Keanu and John
• Characteristics
• Keanu’s child and loyalty to his girlfriend
• "I like John's grief the way he suffer“
• My Personal take
• Redemption
• John was not looking for salvation/redemption
• A calm man looking for freedom and peace to grieve again, undisturbed.
• Can he find redemption? Is he even allowed to find redemption though his hands are filthy?
 “They Shouldn’t Have Killed His Dog”
• I was given the burden to bridge to you a man who lost his first love on natural death. So he lost his purpose, and lost love. On
the day his wife got buried she scheduled a gift of companionship for him. Daisy; a puppy who was his semblance of hope to
grieve unalone, hindi para ipagpatuloy ang buhay pero para malungkot ng may kasama. He was trying to cling onto this thin
string of purpose left for him, at pinatay yun sa harapan niya. He lost his only opportunity to grieve. So his grief expanded
exponentially eventually killing 77 other people.
• This man of focus, commitment and sheer will; John Wick killed 77 people over this one dog. They shouldn’t have killed his dog.
At the end of the movie we saw him rescuing a dog that's supposed to die tomorrow, Bakit? Daisy was his companion in
loneliness, in mourning, in deep sadness. Rescuing this dog implies that John was able to have justice in the death of Iosef and
is ready to re-start filling his remaining life in loneliness and grief. He chose the path of humility, sadness, and loneliness, over
his dark and famous past of being an assassin. And shared this purpose to the dog.
• The movie sounds simple, you killed my dog so I'll kill you. But it was a homage to a grieving empty man. A homage to a sad
man who is humble, simple, reserved, and generous. John Wick and Keanu Reeves. As I research on this movie and Keanu
Reeves, I found more similarities between this two. In 1999 Keanu and his then girlfriend lost their stillborn child. They were so
expecting and even prepared a whole name. And in 2001, his girlfriend died on a car crash. Throughout the years he broke the
internet with his famous sad Keanu meme, Keanu in the train. And it's only in 2019 he got romantically involved again. In an
interview he said he took John Wick because "I like John's grief the way he suffer" But this is my personal take.
• I was tasked to find John’s redemption, but I can't seem to find it. The more I watch the movie the more I can't find it. Then I
felt, John's action is not to seek redemption. It's not to be 'saved'. In this movie he’s a broken empty man calmly making things
right. He was seeking vengeance/justice so he could be lonely again. He sought justice because his peace was disturbed. All
those events is to begin again his purpose of grief and loneliness undisturbed. Either way, I can see that his struggle will
eventually lead him to salvation. Just not in this chapter. Maybe in the next ones.

Beginning
• John was peacefully re-starting his
lonely life when D’Antonio visited
him and showed him his marker.
He refused as he swore not to
return and as he want to grieve for
Helen.
John Wick 2
Beginning
• He was forced by Santino
D’Antonio to return to his old
assassin life by burning his home,
due to his refusal on the marker
• Q: Why did he shout?
• Opening the box in the keep-
shop reminded him of his past
life he swore never to return to.
End
• JW killed D’Antonio in continental
grounds so he was ex-
communicado. Now his mind is
clearer and more ready to face
whoever it is that will disturb again
his loneliness.

Movie Themes:
a. Mirrors – represents reflection
b. Consequences – violence begets violence, the more he fought the deeper he had fallen
back to Baba Yaga.
Movie Takeaways:
This time he lost all of his wife’s memorabilia as his home got burned.
What’s the mirror motif for?
 The movie takes us back to JW’s old life. The mirror may represents JW’s struggle on re-
embracing his identity as an infamous assassin, because unlike before he now learned
what and how to love.
John realized and felt heavily the consequences of choosing violence in 1. And so
here in 2, as he fought more the deeper he falls back.
Regaining a sense of purpose is a journey.
 Soul searching, self-discovery is crucial in finding purpose and meaning in life.

The notion above made us discover that John Wick didn’t know who he is. Who is
JW apart from being the “Baba Yaga”?
Why continue on Chapter 2? What is the reason Keanu came back for 2 & 3?
Who is John Wick?
Who is John Wick in John Wick 2?
In-debt, and so he need to honor the marker / blood oath, forcing him to return to become Baba
Yaga once more.
What’s his purpose in Chapter 2?
To honor his debt, and face the consequences of returning to violence
Outline: “Who is John Wick?”
A. The blood-oath
• Santino D’Antonio wanted the Baba Yaga, Wick refused so he burned his home
• This forced Wick to become Baba Yaga once more
• As he opened the case in keep-store he shouted, realizing the consequences of choosing violence
B. The Betrayal
• Santino framed him for killing his sister, making Wick fight for his life
• Resulted for killing Santino on continental grounds
• This made his mind clearer and more ready what’s to come
C. Why Continue to Chapter 2?
• Keanu Reeves chooses his movies ; in an interview he rejected the offer of Speed 2 https://youtube.com/shorts/Ic1MkphZUtI?feature=share
• John Wick’s choice of humility and loneliness in 1 doesn’t make him a ‘saved’ man
• Regaining a sense of purpose is a journey, so John Wick should journey to find out who he truly is
D. Who is John Wick Apart from being the Baba Yaga?
• The mirror motif representing his struggle to re-accept his assassin identity
• Before Helen he was busy running around not knowing who he is; Helen was his identifier
• Gained clarity
E. Redemption
• “If you don’t fight for your love, what kind of love do you have”-Reeves. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6825R0733Eo
• Was he successful in finding redemption?
 “Who is John Wick?”
• Last week I introduced to you John Wick, we ended to question his redemption. Today we will slowly look for answers, by looking on
chapter 2.
• In the start we saw John enjoying a peaceful lonely life with his rescue dog. Then Santino visited and we got to learn about this blood-oath,
a debt he must honor. Wick refused, for he was looking for “Baba Yaga”, but he was forced when Santino burned his home; losing all his
memorabilia on Helen. When he got to the keep-shop he shouted, realizing the consequence of choosing violence. It continued with Baba
Yaga getting framed by Santino and so he fought for his life. Then killing Santino on continental grounds making him ex-communicado.
• For me John Wick 1 was enough. He fought for undisturbed loneliness, he got it.But why make Chapter 2? And why did Keanu Reeves chose
to continue becoming John Wick? Keanu chooses his projects carefully, he rejected Speed 2 a notable movie but he continued John Wick
until Chapter 4. He had an immense training, and yet he chose to become John Wick. Why? Because Keanu understands that this character
is not yet a saved man. He was saved by Helen, but her death made him choose violence once more. Returning him to the dark. Keanu
understands that John’s re-gaining a sense of purpose can’t be completed without him journeying. Because to find salvation is to know first
oneself. But the more he fight the deeper he falls back to the time when Helen is not yet with him.
• In this sequel there’s a strong mirror motif, representing Wick’s struggle on re-embracing his assassin identity because he had gained a
different persona as he learned what and how to love. He became Helen’s lover after being the Baba Yaga. And this notion made us realize
that before Helen, he was running around not knowing who he is. Now that she’s gone Who is John Wick apart from Baba Yaga?
• As we look for his redemption let us first be reminded that regaining a sense of purpose is a journey of soul searching and self-discovery.
Paano ko ililigtas ang sarili ko, kung hindi ko alam sino ako? Paano ako maliligtas kung walang pagmamahal sa buhay ko? Now we feel who
Helen is to John Wick. The movie ended to Wick with a clearer mind and more ready on what’s to come. For he realized, that yesterday I
was fighting for Helen, so today I will fight for my love of Helen.
• And so Who is John Wick? A fighter, and a lover. Because as Keanu said “If you don’t fight for your love, what kind of love do you have”.
Thus, drawing Wick closer to redemption as he fight for his love.
Outline: “Who is John Wick?”
A. The blood-oath
• Santino D’Antonio wanted the Baba Yaga, Wick refused so he burned his home
• This forced Wick to become Baba Yaga once more
• As he opened the case in keep-store he shouted, realizing the consequences of choosing violence
B. The Betrayal
• Santino framed him for killing his sister, making Wick fight for his life
• Resulted for killing Santino on continental grounds
• This made his mind clearer and more ready what’s to come
C. Who is John Wick Apart from being the Baba Yaga?
• The mirror motif representing his struggle to re-accept his assassin identity
• Before Helen he was busy running around not knowing who he is; Helen was his identifier
• Gained clarity
D. Redemption
• Regaining a sense of purpose is a journey of soul-searching and self-discovery
• “If you don’t fight for your love, what kind of love do you have”-Reeves. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6825R0733Eo
• Was he successful in finding redemption?
 “Who is John Wick?”
• Last week I introduced to you John Wick, we ended to question his redemption. Today we will slowly look for answers, by
looking on chapter 2.
• In the start we saw John enjoying a peaceful lonely life with his rescue dog. Then Santino visited and we got to learn about this
blood-oath, a debt he must honor. Wick refused, for he was looking for “Baba Yaga”, but he was forced when Santino burned his
home; losing all his memorabilia on Helen. When he got to the keep-shop he shouted, realizing the consequence of choosing
violence. It continued with Baba Yaga getting framed by Santino and so he fought for his life. Then killing Santino on continental
grounds making him ex-communicado.
• For me John Wick 1 was enough. He fought for undisturbed loneliness, he got it. But the more he fight the deeper he falls back.
In this sequel there’s a strong mirror motif, representing Wick’s struggle on re-embracing his assassin identity because he had
gained a different persona as he learned what and how to love. He became Helen’s lover after being the Baba Yaga. And this
notion made us realize that before Helen, he was running around not knowing who he is. Now that she’s gone Who is John
Wick apart from Baba Yaga?
• As we look for his redemption let us first be reminded that regaining a sense of purpose is a journey of soul searching and self-
discovery. Paano ko ililigtas ang sarili ko, kung hindi ko alam sino ako? Paano ako maliligtas kung walang pagmamahal sa buhay
ko? Now we feel who Helen is to John Wick. The movie ended to Wick with a clearer mind and more ready on what’s to come.
For he realized, that yesterday I was fighting for Helen, so today I will fight for my love of Helen.
• And so Who is John Wick? A fighter, and a lover. Because as Keanu said “If you don’t fight for your love, what kind of love do
you have”. Thus, drawing Wick closer to redemption as he fight for his love.

Beginning
• Escaping within the 1hr time
limit; retrieving the marker & the
ticket
• Q. Why did he calmly took out
his past bearings unlike in
Chapter 2?
Movie Themes:
a. Consequences: I did this to me; John became the one thing Helen rescued him from
b. Answer Seeking/Truth: All for the chance to remember his wife
John Wick 3
Beginning End
• Ruska Roma; took us back to JW’s roots, where
JW learned to be the BABA YAGA; He demanded • Got shot by Winston. But
his ticket to be accepted, “You are bound & I am Winston knew it will not kill JW.
owed” “You pissed John?” – YEAH
• Q. Why did they helped JW despite the • Q. When will JW Stop? Will
consequences?
• Sofia; in-debt to JW and so she also reluctantly
stopping lead him to his
paid JW. She was dealing with the consequences
redemption & satisfaction?
of choosing ‘management’ life, but was given the
chance to find her daughter when she helped JW.
• Zero: “We are the same, both are Masters of
Death” – NO we’re not; JW doesn’t recognize his
killing skills as his skills. “This is y ur special John”
• Q. What made him special?
• The ELDER; one who sits at the Table.; demanded
JW’s weakness, ‘Helen’ represented by the ring.
Gave JW chance by tasking him to kill Winston.
“Never seen a man fight so hard to end up back
where he started”
• Q. Tell me Jonathan, why do you wish to live?

Beginning
• Q. Why did he calmly took out his
past bearings unlike in Chapter 2?
• In 2 he shouted when he opened &
took his bearings bcuz he was
frustrated & was forced to return as
Baba Yaga. But here in 3, we now
have a JW who gained clarity on his
purpose to fight.
Movie Themes:
a. Consequences: I did this to me; John became the one thing Helen rescued him from
b. Answer Seeking/Truth: All for the chance to remember his wife
John Wick 3
Beginning End
• Q. Why did they helped JW despite • Q. When will JW Stop? Will stopping
the consequences? lead him to his redemption &
• They know JW. They know HIS SOUL, satisfaction?
HIS HEART. THOSE 2 HE HAD ALL • He is unstoppable. He seek to made
THIS TIME BUT WAS LIT ON FIRE BY amends but it made him fall deeper.
HELEN I think only death can truly bring him
• Q. What made him special? peace. Death over fighting for love.
• John stopped bcus of children
crossing as he is considerate enough
of the children. He have soul &
heart.
• Q. Tell me Jonathan, why do you wish
to live?
• “My wife Helen, to remember her, to
remember us. –At least a chance to
earn it (memory of love T^T)
Movie Takeaways:
“If u want peace, prepare for war”
Why Continue to 3? To find clarity on John’s purpose
“Art is pain, life is suffering” – Is this JW’s truth?
Assassin: “Men who have faith & who abide their beliefs”
John is different from Zero. Zero recognize his killing skills as gift. JW doesn’t
acknowledge his killing skills as a gift. John knows what’s a gift and what’s not.
“You will die John” - Sofia
Why not kill Winston?
He wants to continue living “as the man who loved & was loved by his wife”. Not the
Baba Yaga bounded to the High Table. JW is already bounded to Helen
John Wick’s Clarity
What is his purpose in 3?
• To seek amends with the one (Elder) sitting above the table. In order to do this he must return
to his allies, or people he can ask for help
• To continue to live so he can earn the chance to remember his wife Helen
Outline: “John Wick’s Clarity”
A. What John Wick do we meet now?
• John Wick with clarity on his purpose to fight
• More ready
• Ready to seek amends
• Humbled by the consequences of his actions
B. Who is John Wick?
• “A man of focus, commitment, and sheer will”-Viggo
• Gained justice in the death of Iosef
• Rescued a dog to be killed tomorrow. Why?
C. Link Between Keanu and John
• Characteristics
• Keanu’s child and loyalty to his girlfriend
• "I like John's grief the way he suffer“
• My Personal take
D. Redemption
• John was not looking for salvation/redemption
• A calm man looking for freedom and peace to grieve again, undisturbed.
• Can he find redemption? Is he even allowed to find redemption though his hands are filthy?
 “JW 3
• Paano ko ililigtas ang sarili ko kung hindi ko babalikan ung pinanggalingan ko?