The John Wick universe boasts some impeccable action movie performances, and here are the best in the franchise.
Currently, there is no action franchise as big, or better than John Wick. From the mesmerizing action set pieces, the world-building, and the impressive physicality from all involved, none do it better than the John Wick franchise. On top of all the incredible action and deeply engaging story and world, the John Wick universe is home to some of the best performances in action movie history. Featuring the likes of Laurence Fishburne, Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, and Bill Skarsgård, here are the best performances in the John Wick franchise.
Specializing in Karate and Kung Fu, American martial artist Mark Dacascos has been kicking butt for decades. He made a name for himself in movies like Only the Strong and Crying Freeman, as well as the hit cooking show Iron Chef America. However, Mark never truly received the respect he deserved. That is, until his phenomenal role as the assassin, Zero, in John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum.
Dacascos demonstrated his impressive martial arts s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set on many occasions throughout the movie, however, what won us over with both his character and performance is how excited Dacascos got when he finally met and fought his idol, John Wick. His giddy excitement was both infectious and hilarious, showing how unruly and sociopathic Zero really is.
9 Michael Nyqvist – Viggo Tarasov
There are few speeches as badass as the introduction of John Wick, in the first John Wick movie. “He isn’t exactly the boogeyman. He’s the one you send to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 the f*cking boogeyman” is an insanely cool line. Top that with “I once saw him 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 three men in a bar, with a pencil. A f*cking pencil”, and you have one of the best speeches ever.
But as phenomenal as the chilling and badass speech is, it just wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t delivered by the great Michael Nyqvist. Nyqvist could have delivered a terrible performance after that, and we wouldn’t care, but he is just as equally intense for the rest of the movie.
8Peter Serafinowicz – The Sommelier
The assassin underworld of the John Wick movies is one of its crowning glories. The coins, the hotels, and the markers make for a wholly expensive and incredibly cool world. However, no moment is greater than the introduction to the arms dealer, The Sommelier, played by comedian Peter Serafinowicz.
Serafinowicz provides a perfect amount of suave and elegance to his role, and it’s a constant joy to watch this scene over and over again. We hope his character returns one way or another.
7Keanu Reeves – John Wick
Let’s face it, as kind and compassionate as Keanu Reeves is, sometimes he may lack it in the acting department. Most of the time he knocks it out of the park, but sometimes it’s just a little disappointing. However, Reeves is at his best in his role as “The Baba Yaga” himself, John Wick.
The John Wick universe feels like it was molded around Reeves’ line delivery. The constant “yeahs”, “be seeing yous” and name repetition, like “Winston” is very Reeves. Yet, what deserves the most praise is the actor’s dedication to the role and its action. Reeves performs all the choreography and 90% of his own stunts, making the action feel much more authentic.
6Halle Berry – Sofia
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry was incredibly interested to join the John Wick franchise ahead of the third movie’s written script. Therefore, Chad Stahelski wrote a role specific for Berry, and she did not disappoint. Her acting chops were on point as always, but what won us over, similar to Reeves, was her dedication to the role. Berry trained alongside Reeves to perfect her physicality and the choreography was very impressive, making Sofia one of the best assassins in the franchise.
5Scott Adkins – Killa Harkan
Scott Adkins‘ addition to the John Wick franchise was incredibly exciting. The deeply-s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed martial artist has always been a shoo-in for the franchise, and while we expected great martial arts from Adkins, we never expected such a great performance, as Killa Harkan, the German Mob Boss and head of the German branch of the High Table.
Killa’s large physique and big personality are accentuated by Adkins’ over-the-top German accent and performance.
RELATED:The Best Scott Adkins Movies, Ranked
4Lance Reddick – Charon
Charon has always been among the best characters in the John Wick franchise. He is a loyal, kind, and surprisingly very deadly character. However, we doubt Charon would have been as lovable with anyone but the late Lance Reddick in the role. Reddick’s death was deeply emotional, especially for fans of the franchise, and seeing his character meet his end in John Wick: Chapter 4 made Reddick’s real-world death feel much more real and gut-punching.
3Bill Skarsgård – The Marquis De Gramont
Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to delivering jaw-dropping performances. Just look at his role as Pennywise. Skarsgård pulls no punches as the main antagonist of John Wick: Chapter 4. The arrogant, power-hungry Marquis De Gramont is evil and detestable, however, Skarsgård’s spectacular performance makes every time the stylish villain is on-screen deeply enjoyable.
2Donnie Yen – Caine
Just as Scott Adkins was an incredibly exciting addition to the action-packed John Wick franchise, the legendary Donnie Yen was an equally anticipated martial artist to join the franchise. Donnie Yen stole the entirety of John Wick: Chapter 4. His performance was as hardcore as it was quite moving. Unsurprisingly, Donnie Yen kicks so much ass in the best ways possible.
Playing a blind assassin, Donnie Yen whips bad guys with his cane, slices them with his sword, and headshots a ton of enemies during the franchise’s famous gun-fu scenes. The action of John Wick: Chapter 4 is easily the best we have seen yet, which wouldn’t be as fantastic without Donnie Yen. There are many characters we want to see get their own spin-off movies, but none more than Caine.
1Laurence Fishburne – The Bowery King
Laurence Fishburne‘s inclusion into the John Wick franchise was incredibly exciting. Especially considering his past with Keanu Reeves, working on The Matrix movies together. However, we did not expect Laurence Fishburne to go as hard as he did in his role as The Bowery King.
The Academy Award-nominated actor turns the dial to 11, delivering an over-the-top performance worthy of Nicolas Cage. His dialogue is like poetry and Fishburne delivers the lines with such elegance, poise, and royalty, making The Bowery King stand out in a world full of assassins. Yet, with every installment, his performance only gets better and way more over-the-top. Just look at his spectacular speech at the beginning of John Wick: Chapter 4, quoting the infamous line from Dante’s Inferno.
