The 10 Best Movies That Channel The John Wick Style

7 min read Post on May 11, 2025

The 10 Best Movies That Channel The John Wick Style

Mastering the Gun-Fu

This section explores movies that replicate John Wick's signature blend of gunplay and martial arts. The John Wick style isn't just about shooting; it's a precise dance of death, a balletic display of controlled violence. These films understand and deliver that same level of choreographed intensity.

The Matrix Trilogy

Influential in shaping the modern action movie landscape, the Matrix series' innovative fight choreography directly impacts the John Wick style. The iconic bullet-time sequences and the fluid, almost acrobatic fight scenes set a new standard for action cinema.

Wire work: The use of wires allows for gravity-defying movements, mirroring the fluidity of John Wick's fight style.
Slow-motion: Strategic use of slow-motion emphasizes the precision and artistry of each move, highlighting the skill of the fighters.
Balletic gun-fu: The combination of gunplay and martial arts creates a visually stunning and highly effective fighting style, a core element of the John Wick aesthetic.
Innovative fight choreography: The Matrix pushed the boundaries of action filmmaking, inspiring countless imitators, including John Wick itself.

Atomic Blonde

Charlize Theron's portrayal of Lorraine Broughton showcases a similar level of brutal efficiency and stylish action. Atomic Blonde is a visceral experience, filled with extended, intricately designed fight sequences that are both brutal and breathtakingly choreographed.

Hand-to-hand combat: The film features intense and realistic hand-to-hand combat, mirroring the close-quarters fighting style seen in John Wick.
Intense fight sequences: Long, unbroken takes showcase the athleticism and skill of the actors, adding to the film's visceral impact.
Gritty atmosphere: The film’s Cold War setting and dark tone create a similar sense of neo-noir atmosphere to John Wick.
Strong female lead: Theron's performance is a standout, delivering a powerful and capable female character that rivals John Wick's iconic protagonist.

Nobody

Bob Odenkirk's surprisingly lethal character brings a different, yet equally effective, approach to the genre. Nobody subverts expectations, showcasing unexpected action prowess from an unlikely hero. The fight choreography is notably realistic, grounded, and brutal, a welcome change of pace from more fantastical action films.

Undercover assassin: The premise of a seemingly ordinary man with a deadly secret echoes the hidden depths of John Wick's character.
Unexpected action prowess: The film’s surprise element enhances the thrills and adds a layer of unexpected excitement.
Realistic fight choreography: The fights are grounded in reality, adding to the film's visceral impact and enhancing the believability of the action.
Dark humor: Nobody infuses its brutal action with dark humor, offering a unique blend of tones that complements the John Wick style.

Neo-Noir Atmosphere and World-Building

This section focuses on movies that create a similar dark and stylish world to John Wick's. The John Wick universe is meticulously crafted, with a distinct visual style and a detailed sense of place. These films share that attention to atmosphere and world-building.

Drive

Ryan Gosling's stoic performance and the film's atmospheric visuals create a comparable sense of cool detachment. Drive uses its visuals to tell a story, showcasing a neon-drenched, almost dreamlike Los Angeles. The minimalist dialogue allows the mood and atmosphere to take center stage.

Stylish visuals: The film’s visuals are as much a character as the actors themselves, creating a distinct visual identity.
Minimalist dialogue: The limited dialogue allows the atmosphere and visuals to speak volumes.
Neon-drenched settings: The use of neon lights and dark shadows creates a distinct visual style that mirrors John Wick's neo-noir aesthetic.
Brooding atmosphere: Drive cultivates a mood of suspense and unease, enhancing the overall tension and excitement.

Blade Runner 2049

This visually stunning film shares John Wick's focus on world-building and a gritty, futuristic aesthetic. The detailed world of Blade Runner 2049 is as captivating as the plot itself. The film showcases a meticulously designed dystopian future, rich in detail and atmosphere.

Detailed world-building: The film explores a richly detailed future world, creating a sense of place that is crucial to the narrative.
Stunning visuals: The film's visuals are breathtaking, adding to the film’s overall atmosphere and immersive quality.
Noir elements: The film incorporates noir elements into its futuristic setting, adding to its dark and mysterious tone.
Mysterious plot: The intriguing plot line keeps the viewer engaged and further builds upon the atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.

The Night Comes for Us

This Indonesian action film delivers brutal, unrelenting violence within a richly detailed underworld setting. The Night Comes for Us showcases a different kind of action, grounded in Indonesian martial arts and a hyper-violent aesthetic. The underworld setting is immersive and richly detailed.

Intense action: The film is filled with relentless action, making it a must-see for fans of intense fight choreography.
Morally grey characters: The characters are complex and morally ambiguous, adding depth to the story and making it more engaging.
Dark and gritty world: The film’s dark and violent underworld setting helps to ground the story and build a sense of reality.
Indonesian action cinema: The Night Comes for Us showcases the best of Indonesian action cinema, delivering a unique and exciting style of action.

Compelling Characters and Intriguing Plots

This section highlights movies that feature memorable characters and captivating storylines. The John Wick films are just as much about their characters as their action sequences. These films deliver compelling narratives and memorable characters that elevate the action to new heights.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2

Quentin Tarantino's iconic revenge saga shares John Wick's focus on meticulous action and a compelling female protagonist. The Kill Bill films are a masterclass in stylized violence and character development. The iconic fight scenes are memorable and the revenge plot is captivating.

Revenge plot: The central revenge plot drives the narrative and provides a clear objective for the protagonist.
Strong female lead: Uma Thurman's performance as Beatrix Kiddo is iconic and delivers a powerful female protagonist.
Stylish violence: Tarantino's signature style of stylized violence is a key element of the films' appeal.
Memorable characters: The film is populated with memorable characters, both protagonists and antagonists.

Paid in Full

A classic crime drama that features memorable characters, engaging narrative, and a focus on loyalty within a criminal underworld. Paid in Full showcases a realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld, with complex characters and a compelling story.

Crime drama: The film offers a grounded and realistic look at the criminal underworld.
Gritty realism: The film's gritty and realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld adds to its authenticity.
Memorable characters: The film features several memorable characters, each with their own motivations and backstories.
Underworld setting: The criminal underworld setting provides a rich and complex backdrop for the story.

The Equalizer

Denzel Washington's portrayal of a retired assassin provides a similar sense of quiet intensity and deadly efficiency. The Equalizer presents a morally grey protagonist who delivers justice in a stylish and effective manner.

Retired assassin: The premise of a retired assassin seeking justice is similar to John Wick's backstory.
Measured violence: The violence is deliberate and impactful, showcasing the protagonist's skill and efficiency.
Strong protagonist: Washington delivers a compelling and nuanced performance as the main character.
Moral ambiguity: The protagonist's actions raise moral questions, adding depth and complexity to the story.

Conclusion

From the balletic gun-fu of The Matrix to the gritty realism of Nobody, these ten films capture the essence of the John Wick style, offering a diverse range of action, atmosphere, and character development. Whether you're a seasoned action movie fan or new to the genre, exploring these films will provide hours of thrilling entertainment. To experience more of the stylish action and intricate world-building that defines the John Wick style, check out these films and prepare for a cinematic thrill ride. Ready to delve deeper into the world of John Wick style movies? Start watching!