John Wick 4: Behind the Scenes – Unraveling the Magic of Stunts, Cinematography & VFX
Remember that scene in the first John Wick movie where someone says, “I once saw him kill three men in a bar with a pencil”? That line perfectly encapsulates what makes the John Wick franchise so special. Since its debut in 2014, these films have redefined the modern action genre, delivering jaw-dropping sequences that leave audiences both thrilled and amazed.
Now, with the release of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” the bar has been raised even higher. But how do they do it? How does the team behind John Wick craft these lean, mean fighting machines that have us glued to our seats? In this deep dive, we’re going to pull back the curtain and explore the stunning world of stunts, cinematography, and visual effects that make John Wick 4 an action masterpiece.
The Mastermind Behind the Action: Chad Stahelski
At the heart of the John Wick universe is director Chad Stahelski. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, his work certainly will. Before stepping into the director’s chair, Stahelski was a trailblazing stunt coordinator. He co-founded 87Eleven Action Design with David Leitch (who co-directed the first John Wick), a company that’s been pushing the boundaries of action design for years.
For Stahelski, directing the John Wick series was a chance to apply everything he’d learned as a stunt coordinator to create the ultimate action movie. His approach is driven by two key principles:
- Make the action sequences look as real as possible.
- Present these realistic sequences within a stylized visual world.
As Stahelski puts it, “If we don’t do some kind of artistic interpretation of the choreography, it’s just martial arts, it’s just action. And we wanted to lift the whole project up a bit.” It’s this blend of gritty realism and artistic flair that sets John Wick apart. Now, let’s dive into how they achieve this, starting with the cinematography.
Painting with Light and Motion: The Cinematography of John Wick 4
The visual palette of John Wick was established by DP Jonathan Sela in the first film, and Dan Laustsen has been pushing it further with each sequel. What makes John Wick’s cinematography stand out? In a word: smoothness.
Smooth Moves: The Art of Camera Work
Many American action films rely on shaky handheld camerawork to add energy to their scenes. Not John Wick. Here, the priority is on smooth camera movements that let you see the action clearly. As Laustsen explains, “It’s not relying on camera shake… it’s really relying on the performance of the actors.”
To get this smoothness, they use dollies, cranes, and Steadicams. In John Wick 4, Laustsen took it a step further. He tried to move the camera as little as possible, even when handheld. Instead, he let the actors’ movements dictate the focus and framing. It’s like watching a beautifully choreographed dance – every move has purpose.
Going Wide: The ARRI Large Format Advantage
Another key to making the action feel real? Wide shots. By showing more of the scene, Stahelski and Laustsen can capture entire fight sequences without constant cutting. For John Wick 4, they doubled down on this approach. Laustsen used an ARRI large format camera with ALFA anamorphic lenses, giving us an even wider, more immersive view of the action.
Take the stairwell scene, for instance. It’s actually two shots stitched together: one on a crane, then shifting to a spidercam overhead. The shot is so wide that Laustsen had to light it using sources outside the set. It’s a technical marvel that puts you right in the heart of the action.
Painting with Light: The Bertolucci Influence
While the camera work keeps things real, the lighting cranks up the style. For John Wick 4, Stahelski drew inspiration from Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci, known for his bold colors and unconventional lighting. As Stahelski says, “We try to have these open conversations… I can have a sun flare for no reason. Like, is there a reason everything’s red? Sure. Let’s just try red today.”
But it’s not just style for style’s sake. Laustsen uses lighting to emphasize character. For Keanu Reeves (John Wick), both eyes are lit. But for antagonists like Clancy Brown and Bill Skarsgård? More shadows over their eyes. It’s a subtle way to signal who we should root for.
Getting this lighting right, especially with all the action, takes serious planning. Laustsen does a lot of pre-lighting – setting up lights before the cast arrives. As he puts it, “A lot of the painting with light takes place in the pre-lighting because you have to see everything through the camera. You can’t just put it down on a piece of paper.”
In John Wick 4, both the realism of the camera work and the stylization of the lighting are pushed to their limits. It’s a visual feast that sets the stage for the jaw-dropping action. But what about when things get a bit too dangerous for the camera? That’s where visual effects come in.
The Invisible Hand: Visual Effects in John Wick 4
In many blockbusters, VFX are the star of the show. Not in John Wick. Here, they’re the unsung heroes, used sparingly to make the real-life action even more convincing.
Blood, Sweat, and Digital Tears
One of the main uses of VFX in John Wick? Blood. To sell the violence, you need blood spatter. But using blood packs on set would slow things down. As stunt coordinator Stephen Dunleavy explains, “Using blood packs, we would only be able to get less than half the work done.”
Instead, they film fake blood spraying against a green or black screen. This lets them add blood wherever it’s needed in a scene, making every punch, kick, and gunshot feel brutally real.
Guns, Lots of (Digital) Guns
Speaking of gunshots, the franchise’s weapon of choice also gets a digital upgrade. Because many gun battles happen up close, they can’t even use blanks. Instead, they use “plug guns” – props with blocked barrels. The muzzle flashes and smoke? Added in post.
But don’t think this makes things less real. Stahelski is a stickler for realism. “The physics of what you see in the movie are actually taken off live footage,” he says. “Ninety percent of what most people know of a gunfight is from movies, and ninety percent of what movies do is wrong. So we’re trying to put reality back in.”
For Stahelski, VFX is just one tool in the arsenal of creating realistic action. But the real heart of that realism? That comes from the stunts.
The Art of the Fight: Stunts in John Wick 4
Let’s be clear: John Wick wouldn’t be John Wick without its mind-blowing stunts. And a huge part of why these stunts feel so real is because, well, they are. Thanks to Keanu Reeves.
Keanu Reeves: The Actor Who Does It All
Keanu does the vast majority of his own stunts. It’s not just impressive; it’s crucial to the film’s style. Because he can handle the action, Stahelski can use those long, wide shots we talked about earlier. No need to cut around a stunt double.
But it doesn’t come easy. For John Wick 4, Keanu trained for over three months, five days a week, four hours a day. As co-star Shamier Anderson puts it, “I was surprised, man. That stairs scene, he’s running up the stairs, doing choreography… and he wanted to repeat it until he feels that he killed it, like, a hundred percent.”
This dedication means the fight choreography can adapt on set. Keanu’s got such a wide repertoire of moves that he can roll with changes without having to learn new stuff from scratch.
Choreographing Reality: The Art of the Fight
Speaking of choreography, John Wick’s fights are a whole other level. As the series has evolved, it’s leaned into “gun fu” – martial arts with guns. To make it feel real, they use actual martial arts moves, sometimes tweaked for the camera.
Fight choreographer Jonathan Eusebio explains, “Everything is based on something real, but when you choreograph for movies and TV, you always have to choreograph for camera. We take what’s real and then alter it a little for cinematic purposes.”
One key to John Wick’s fight style? Movement. Inspired by Jackie Chan, Wick is always on the move. This allows for those dynamic tracking shots we love. Plus, as Stahelski notes, it helps suspend disbelief when Wick’s up against impossible odds.
For John Wick 4’s epic stairwell scene, Stahelski looked to another legend: Buster Keaton. The question was, “How would Buster Keaton do it?” The result? A fight scene that’s equal parts jaw-dropping and… funny. It’s that blend of skill and humor that makes the scene unforgettable.
The Unsung Heroes: The Stunt Team
Of course, all this comes down to the stunt team. As Keanu himself says, “Chad is literally one of the greatest choreographers of our generation. He’s been there, he knows exactly what you might be feeling or what your doubts about the scene… it’s a common language, and you feel so safe.”
Conclusion: The John Wick Formula – Realism, Style, and a Very Good Dog
“John Wick: Chapter 4” is the culmination of the intricate visual language Chad Stahelski and his team have been building over four films. Through meticulous cinematography, subtle VFX, and honest-to-goodness stunt work, they’ve created a world that feels both hyper-real and stylishly heightened.
It’s a world where every gunshot, every camera move, every splash of vibrant color serves a purpose. Where the star does his own stunts, and the director knows what it’s like to be in the thick of the action. Where visual effects enhance reality instead of replacing it.
In short, it’s a masterclass in modern action filmmaking. And as we eagerly await whatever John Wick does next, there’s one lesson we should all take to heart: whatever you do, don’t mess with his dog.