The Case Against John Wick 5: Has The Series Jumped The Shark?

Chloe Fitzgerald

6 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.1

Share

Keywords: John Wick 5, John Wick franchise, John Wick movie review, jumped the shark, franchise fatigue, action movie review, Keanu Reeves, over-the-top action, repetitive plot, declining quality.

The John Wick franchise, once a breath of fresh air in the action genre, redefined gun-fu and stylish violence. Its intricate world-building and Keanu Reeves' captivating portrayal of the titular assassin captivated audiences worldwide. But with the release of John Wick 5, many are questioning if the series has finally "jumped the shark." This article delves into the arguments suggesting the franchise may have lost its way, exploring criticisms surrounding its repetitive action, weakening plotlines, and overall declining quality.

Repetitive Action Sequences and Lack of Innovation

The John Wick franchise built its reputation on innovative and stylish action sequences. However, John Wick 5, and to a lesser extent its predecessors, seems to rely heavily on the same formula, leading to a sense of repetition and a lack of originality.

The Same Old Moves: Analysis of Repetitive Gun-Fu and Fight Choreography

• Repeated Fight Styles: The signature gun-fu remains, but the variations feel limited. Many fight scenes mirror previous encounters, lacking the inventive choreography that defined the earlier films.
• Lack of Evolution: The action, while still visually impressive, lacks the evolution and surprising twists that kept the first few films fresh. The same techniques are employed repeatedly, leading to a sense of déjà vu.
• Comparison to Earlier Films' Innovation: Compare the intricate, almost balletic gun fights of John Wick to the more straightforward, albeit still violent, encounters in John Wick 5. The difference is stark. The earlier films felt more carefully crafted, while the later ones feel rushed and formulaic.

The reliance on familiar fight choreography, while visually appealing initially, ultimately hinders the overall impact. The spectacle becomes predictable, diminishing the excitement and thrill of the action sequences.

Over-the-Top Violence Without Substance

John Wick has always been known for its over-the-top violence, but John Wick 5 seems to amplify this aspect without a corresponding increase in narrative depth or emotional impact. The violence feels gratuitous, lacking the purpose and weight it carried in the earlier films.

• Examples of Excessive Violence Lacking Emotional Resonance: Many scenes depict extreme violence without adequately exploring the emotional consequences for the characters or the audience.
• Diminishing Returns of Escalating Action: The escalation of violence feels less like a natural progression and more like a desperate attempt to maintain audience interest through sheer spectacle.

The violence, therefore, becomes a mere spectacle, detracting from the narrative and failing to deliver the emotional punch necessary for a truly compelling action film. This overreliance on visceral thrills compromises the storytelling and leaves the audience emotionally unfulfilled.

Weakening Plot and Predictable Storytelling

While the action sequences initially defined the John Wick franchise, a strong narrative was crucial to its success. However, subsequent installments, particularly John Wick 5, have seen a decline in the quality of storytelling, resulting in predictable plots and thin narrative threads.

A Thin Narrative Thread: Criticism of Increasingly Thin Plotlines

• Plot Holes: The plot in John Wick 5 contains several noticeable plot holes and inconsistencies, which undermine the narrative's credibility.
• Underdeveloped Characters: Supporting characters often lack depth and development, hindering emotional investment in the story. The focus remains firmly on John Wick, neglecting the potential of other characters.
• Lack of Originality: The storyline relies heavily on established tropes within the action genre, lacking the unique narrative twists that characterized the earlier films.

The focus on non-stop action has overshadowed the storytelling, resulting in a predictable and less engaging narrative. The thin plotline fails to provide sufficient context or motivation for the characters' actions, leaving the audience feeling unsatisfied.

Overreliance on Established Tropes

The John Wick franchise's later installments have increasingly relied on familiar action movie tropes and clichés. This lack of originality contributes to the feeling that the series is creatively stagnant.

• Predictable Plot Twists: The narrative often employs predictable plot twists, offering little in the way of surprise or suspense.
• Repeated Character Archetypes: The characters themselves fall into familiar action movie archetypes, lacking the nuance and complexity that would make them more compelling.
• Reliance on Established Tropes: The overuse of familiar tropes, such as the relentless pursuit, the betrayed ally, and the climactic showdown, indicates a lack of fresh ideas.

The overreliance on clichés creates a sense of predictability, diminishing the audience's engagement with the narrative. The lack of originality makes John Wick 5 feel derivative and uninspired, failing to offer anything new or exciting to the well-established action movie formula.

Franchise Fatigue and Diminishing Returns

The John Wick franchise has experienced a significant expansion, leading to concerns about franchise fatigue and diminishing returns.

The Law of Diminishing Returns: Franchise Fatigue in the John Wick Series

• Declining Quality: Many critics and viewers have noted a decline in quality between the earlier films and the latest installments.
• Evidence of Audience Fatigue: Box office performance and audience reception may suggest a growing weariness towards the franchise.
• Box Office Performance Compared to Previous Installments: The lower box office performance of John Wick 5 compared to earlier films may be a sign of audience fatigue and a decline in interest.

Franchise fatigue is a real phenomenon. Audiences can become overwhelmed by the relentless release of sequels and spin-offs, leading to a decline in interest and a sense of oversaturation. The John Wick franchise may be falling victim to this very phenomenon.

The Impact of Over-Saturation: Multiple Spin-offs and Sequels

The expansion of the John Wick universe through spin-offs and potential sequels has raised concerns about the dilution of the core concept and its potential negative impact on the overall quality of the franchise.

• Potential for Dilution of the Core Concept: The expansion risks diluting the core themes and unique aspects of the original film.
• Negative Impact of Over-Expansion: Over-expansion can lead to a decline in quality, as the franchise attempts to stretch its concept beyond its natural limits.

The potential for over-saturation threatens to diminish the impact and originality of the franchise. The sheer number of films and related media may be overwhelming audiences and contributing to the declining quality.

Conclusion

While the John Wick franchise initially captivated audiences with its stylish action and compelling world-building, John Wick 5 highlights concerns regarding repetitive action, weak plotlines, and overall franchise fatigue. The diminishing returns seen in the latest installment raise serious questions about the future of the series. The over-reliance on established tropes, predictable plot points and diminishing innovation in the action sequences have left many feeling that the series has lost its unique identity.

Call to Action: Do you agree that the John Wick series has jumped the shark? Share your thoughts on John Wick 5 and the future of the franchise in the comments below. Let's discuss whether the franchise can revitalize itself or if its time has passed. Is the John Wick franchise showing signs of fatigue, or can it overcome its challenges? Join the conversation!