The action film genre in Hollywood has always utilized violent actions and staged fights to entertain the viewers. The recent installment of the John Wick franchise, John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), is one such movie that falls in the category of a modern-day action flick. Arguably, the most defining action sequence in the entire film is when Wick faces off with a group of assassins in a dimly lit club, seamlessly blending action choreography with dramatic mise en scène elements. This paper aims to analyze the selected sequence focusing on mise en scene, camera movement, editing, and representation of violence, race, gender, and ability. It expands on this idea in relation to the frequency of the genre, its relevance to people’s lives, and its box office success based on scholarly insights and industry statistics.
Mise en Scène and Action Dynamics
The frame of a nightclub scene is striking where John Wick is surrounded by neon lights and cascading water effects with the attackers clad in black. The mise en scène reflects the franchise’s signature style, emphasizing atmosphere and character placement. Focusing on the determined facial expression and precise physical performance, as well as sharp costume contrasts, the viewer is drawn to Wick as the main figure in the action. The placement of props such as tables and pillars elevates the depth of the scene and provides depth to the chaotic but visually organized setting.
The sequence’s editing is cut very rapidly, with about 50 edits in one minute, which increases the pace and tension of the sequence. These transitions are smooth, thus allowing the viewers to stay engaged without having to be consciously aware of the cuts being made. The camera work consists of both close-ups and wide angles with frequent cuts from Wick’s point of view (POV) and the third-person perspective. The series of shots imitate Wick’s movements during the fight, and abrupt cuts remind the audience of the danger. The choreography also involves quick movements and hand coordination to depict Wick’s physical ability in handling multiple aggressors.
Violence and Representation
The nightclub scene is a clear example of stylized violence with planned shootings and martial arts choreography. Despite the general intent to kill, the fighting scenes are cut with precision, allowing the audience to perceive it as tactical rather than savage. Wick is played by Keanu Reeves, who, as the central male character, sustains the notion of the male hero as authoritative in action movies. The attackers, mostly male and racially diverse, underscore the international nature of the franchise’s antagonist network. Nevertheless, the show is far from perfect and still suffers from a lack of accurate representation of gender and ability, as there are few female combatants or people with disabilities depicted as active characters.
The setting of the action sequence—the neon light of the nightclub accompanied by pulsating music—contributes to the feeling of sensory overwhelm similar to the fight. This environment amplifies the kinetic energy of the action while retaining the visual aesthetic of the franchise.
Prevalence in Contemporary Action Films
The use of such elements as choreographed violence, rapid editing, and stylized environments is typical for contemporary action movies. As Tasker (2012) has pointed out, the genre is characterized by hypermasculinity and control of physical force, which is reflected in the character of Wick. In the same vein, Neale (2000) also examines the theoretical propositions of the movie as a genre that explores visual display through mise en scène and high-tech editing. These qualities are on the rise, as the audience expects more engaging and visually appealing content.
Furthermore, stylized violence has become an essential aspect of action films, with movies like John Wick and its sequels providing standards for choreography and cinematography. This overdependence on thrilling sequences and complex backgrounds can be easily pinpointed as a staple of modern action movies, thus guaranteeing their unceasing demand.
Box Office Performance
John Wick: Chapter 4 was incredibly successful at the box office as it garnered over $440.180 million in worldwide collections (Box Office Mojo, 2023). The box office success of the film proves that the audience is interested in action-based storylines and impressive visuals. It would also be fair to state that the franchise already had a following and the fact that the film was expected was also a boost to its financial success thus making it a hit franchise.
Real-Life Implications of Action Films
Evidently, action films – and particularly those that depict stylized violence – can shape viewers’ perceptions of violence and conflict resolution. Anderson and Bushman (2018) postulate that the long-term effects of violence are that individuals become less sensitive to the suffering of others and become more accepting of aggression. On the other hand, such films also afford people opportunities to venture into other realms of existence that are free from the consequences of the physical world.
Nonetheless, critics have identified possible negative impacts of the action films, including portraying violent behavior or promoting stereotypical views of male dominance. The gender stereotype of action heroes such as Wick may reinforce stereotypes of hypermasculine roles and physical strength. Moreover, the absence of diverse representation in lead roles hinders the diversity of the genre, which may negatively affect some viewers.
Conclusion
The nightclub sequence in John Wick: Chapter 4 represents the very essence of the modern action film in terms of stylistic approach, technical proficiency, and aestheticized representation of aggression. Although it is a commercial hit, the movie raises questions about representation and viewers’ influence. It is therefore important to address these issues in order to ensure that the genre remains culturally responsive and socially inclusive.
References
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2018). Media violence and the general aggression model. Journal of Social Issues, 74(2), 386–413. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12275
Neale, S. (2000). Genre and Hollywood. Routledge.
Tasker, Y. (2011). Spectacular bodies: Gender, genre and the action cinema. Routledge.
Box Office Mojo. (2023). John Wick: Chapter 4 – Box office performance. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt10366206/?ref_=bo_se_r_2.
David
The analysis of the *John Wick: Chapter 4* nightclub scene offers a detailed breakdown of technical elements like mise en scène, choreography, and violence, but it doesn’t fully connect these aspects to the scholarly sources it references. While it describes the film’s rapid editing and camera work, it doesn’t explore in-depth how these elements relate to the ideas of scholars like Tasker and Neale. For instance, Tasker’s argument about hypermasculinity in action films could have been further developed, not just in terms of Wick’s role as a masculine hero, but also how this reflects broader gender and racial dynamics in the film.
The paper touches on the lack of representation of women and disabled characters, but doesn’t fully explore how this exclusion might reinforce or challenge cultural stereotypes. A deeper connection to feminist film theory and critical discussions about representation would strengthen the argument.
The claim that the violence in *John Wick* is “tactical” rather than “savage” is valid but needs more context. The analysis briefly references the desensitizing effects of violence, as discussed by Anderson and Bushman (2018), but doesn’t fully integrate this into the broader discussion about the impact of such portrayals on viewers.
The discussion of the film’s visual style—neon lights and water effects—is fitting, but could benefit from a deeper look at how this contributes to the commercialization of violence in modern action films.
Overall, the critique highlights important technical details but doesn’t fully engage with the scholarly ideas or the cultural implications of these elements. A more thorough exploration of representation and viewer impact would have enriched the discussion.