John Wick 5: Forget The High Table, A More Grounded Mission

Axel S�rensen

5 min read

Post on May 07, 2025

4.9

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A Shift in Focus: From Global Conspiracy to Personal Vengeance

John Wick 4, while visually stunning, arguably overextended the High Table storyline. The intricate web of alliances and betrayals, while engaging, risked diluting the core emotional core that made the first film so compelling. A John Wick 5 grounded mission necessitates a return to the franchise's roots: the visceral, personal loss and the subsequent, unwavering quest for revenge that fueled John Wick's initial journey.

• Less focus on intricate High Table politics: Instead of sprawling global conflicts, the focus should be narrowed. The sheer scale of the High Table's influence in the fourth film almost felt overwhelming. A more intimate conflict would allow for a deeper exploration of John's emotional state.

• More emphasis on John Wick's emotional journey: The audience needs to connect with John's emotional core. His motivations should be more clearly defined, grounded in personal loss and the desire for retribution.

• A smaller, more intimate scale conflict: Rather than a world-spanning conflict, John Wick 5 could benefit from a more contained narrative. A smaller, more personal conflict would allow for a greater focus on the character development and intense fight sequences.

• A clear, concise objective for John: The film needs a central, easily understandable goal for John. This singular objective will allow the audience to connect with his struggle and root for his success.

This shift could involve a more personal antagonist, perhaps someone from Wick's past – a forgotten enemy, a betrayer, or someone who directly caused a significant loss that has remained unresolved. This personal connection would heighten the emotional stakes and amplify the impact of the inevitable confrontation.

Grounding the Action: Intimate Settings and Realistic Fight Choreography

The evolution of John Wick's fight choreography is undeniable. From the relatively contained gun-fu of the first film, the action escalated to become more expansive and visually dazzling in subsequent installments. However, a John Wick 5 grounded mission demands a return to more claustrophobic, visceral fight sequences. The over-the-top, visually overwhelming action of the previous entries, while impressive, occasionally overshadowed the emotional core of the story.

• Fewer expansive, visually overwhelming action set pieces: A more strategic use of locations, prioritizing smaller, more intimate environments, can heighten the tension and impact of the fight scenes.

• More emphasis on practical effects and believable combat: While CGI has its place, a renewed focus on practical effects and realistic fight choreography will amplify the visceral impact of the action. The raw intensity of close-quarters combat would resonate more deeply with viewers.

• Utilization of smaller, more intimate locations: Imagine tense gunfights within confined spaces, knife fights in dimly lit alleyways, or brutal hand-to-hand combat in claustrophobic settings. These scenarios offer a more intense and grounded experience.

• Focus on brutal, realistic hand-to-hand combat: The choreography could return to a style that emphasizes brutality and realism, creating a more impactful and unforgettable viewing experience.

This shift in approach would allow for a more intense, personal experience for the audience, directly connecting them with the emotional toll on John Wick.

Exploring Character Depth: Beyond the Baba Yaga Persona

While the "Baba Yaga" persona is undeniably iconic, a John Wick 5 grounded mission needs to explore John Wick's character beyond the assassin archetype. The film needs to delve deeper into his past, exploring his relationships and motivations on a more profound level.

• Flashbacks to illuminate his backstory and motivations: Strategic flashbacks could provide crucial context, revealing more about his past and illuminating the events that shaped him into the legendary assassin we know.

• Development of his relationship with existing characters (e.g., the Bowery King): Strengthening existing relationships, like the one with the Bowery King, can provide emotional anchors and inject compelling subplots into the narrative.

• Introduction of a new, compelling supporting character who challenges John: A new character, with a strong personality and potential conflict with John, could offer fresh dynamics and new emotional layers to the story.

• Exploration of the emotional toll of his life as an assassin: The film should depict the emotional scars and trauma John carries, showing the human cost of his life of violence.

By exploring these avenues, the film can create a richer and more emotionally resonant narrative, enhancing the overall impact of the John Wick 5 grounded mission.

Conclusion

By shifting the focus away from the overwhelming scope of the High Table and towards a more personal, grounded mission, John Wick 5 can recapture the raw intensity and emotional depth that made the first film so impactful. A return to intimate settings and realistic fight choreography, alongside deeper character exploration, would make for a more satisfying and ultimately more compelling cinematic experience.

Are you ready for a more grounded, emotionally resonant John Wick 5? Let’s discuss what a John Wick 5 grounded mission could entail in the comments below! Share your thoughts on how a more personal and intimate storyline could revitalize the franchise. Let's hope the filmmakers consider a more John Wick 5 grounded mission approach.