When John Wick was first released, the film enthralled audiences and critics alike. The story of an assassin coming out of retirement for revenge was nothing new. But the incredible fight sequences elevated the action genre. John Wick became a cult classic, and the box office returns skyrocketed with each chapter released. The first three chapters set the benchmark for what American action films should be and deliver unforgettable kills that linger after the credits roll.
The combined number of kills in John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum come to an astounding 299. So which five of these kills stand out in the first three films? This list will recount the most memorable kills of the John Wick franchise so far.
1. The Continental Revokes Ms. Perkins’s Membership (John Wick)
The first film does some incredible world-building that introduces us to fascinating characters like Ms. Perkins (Adrianne Palicki). She acknowledges John’s (Keanu Reeves) return to the continental, but her true intentions come to light when a bounty is put on his head. Ms. Perkins is a straightforward character, but that’s the beauty of John Wick.
The rules of the world are simple yet complex, and characters like Ms. Perkins stand out because the film isn’t bogged down by the weight of its story. There are plenty of cool kills in the first film, but the continental revoking Ms. Perkins’s membership marks the highlight for several reasons. First, it established the rules that would play a part in future John Wick films. Even more, Ms. Perkins’ assassination was also a pretty cool bit of irony as well.
2. John Wick Kills Assassins With A Pencil (John Wick: Chapter 2)
This could be considered cheating, but the kills all happen in the same scene, so it can count as one. In John Wick: Chapter 2, the titular character finally completes his marker for Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio). So, he’s after the wicked gangster that forced him back into the life he escaped.
Once again, a bounty has been placed on John’s head, and there’s a montage of kills from several different locations. The highlight is the scene in the subway where John kills three assassins with a pencil. Needless to say, the kill is brutal and nasty but inventive and simple enough to stand out.
3. John Wick Kills Ernest With A Book (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum)
This time, John doesn’t have luck on his side. Breaking the continental rules by killing Santino D’Antonio on company grounds results in a $14 million bounty. He’s given an hour before he’s considered excommunicado, but Ernest (Boban Marjanović) doesn’t care.
What’s great about the fight is the difference in styles and sizes. John has fought bigger guys before, but each of these sequences feels different from one another. The kill isn’t anything flashy, but it’s unique and realistic. No doubt, Chapter 3 has the most epic fights, yet Ernest’s neck being snapped by the impact from a book is one of the most original kills in the series.
4. Death By Knife (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum)
Thanks to the expert level of marital arts and the clever integration of weapons, this makes for an amazing fight. The kills are given more style here, with the quick precision of John thrusting the knives into his victims. The final kill was brutal and vicious. Slowly inserting the knife into the assassin’s eye was not an easy watch, but a strong conclusion to a tremendous fight sequence overall.
5. Sword Through The Throat (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum)
Chapter 3 tops itself once again with this masterful fight sequence on a bridge and everything about the scene is perfect. The long shot shows expert movement, the fight choreography, and of course, the kills. They aren’t just violent and brutal, but there’s a level of style that goes into each one. The highlight is the final fight with two bikers. John gets rid of them both by piercing a sword through their necks at once, ending the best fight in the series.
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