The John Wick franchise, starring Keanu Reeves, has grown significantly since its original release in 2014, not only in popularity but also in runtime. Starting as a compact action film of 101 minutes, each subsequent installment has gradually become longer, expanding the mythology and scale of the story. This trend culminated in the latest entry, John Wick: Chapter 4, which reached an unprecedented length of 169 minutes, marking the longest film in the series to date.
The steady increase in runtime reflects the franchise’s evolution from straightforward action to an elaborate saga with a complex narrative universe. While the John Wick spinoff Ballerina runs 125 minutes, it raises the question of whether the next sequel, John Wick 5, will continue this pattern of extended runtimes or adopt a more concise approach.
John Wick: Chapter 4’s Extended Length and Its Impact
John Wick: Chapter 4 received widespread praise from critics and fans, achieving as much as a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with becoming the franchise’s highest-grossing film, earning $447.1 million globally. Despite these successes, the almost three-hour runtime drew some criticism for being overly long.
Many of the film’s action sequences maintain a brisk and engaging pace without feeling drawn out, yet the slower scenes between them tend to inflate the overall duration. These moments are designed to build emotional depth and provide a fitting resolution to the ongoing story arcs, delivering a satisfying conclusion to this chapter of John Wick’s journey. Still, this extended viewing experience may make repeated viewings more daunting compared to earlier, shorter films in the series.
The longer runtime of John Wick 4 was more acceptable given the film’s positioning as a potential climax for the saga. With the announcement that the franchise will continue, the necessity of such an epic length in future installments is less clear.
Why John Wick 5 Should Opt for a More Streamlined Runtime
Given the history of increasing runtimes in the John Wick series, there is an expectation that John Wick 5 might be even longer than its predecessor. However, a shorter film could better serve both the story and the audience. After defeating the High Table, John Wick’s narrative may have reached a natural conclusion, allowing future films to focus on tighter, more focused stories within the expansive world already established.
The rich and detailed universe developed so far offers many possibilities beyond John’s personal journey, as demonstrated by the Ballerina spinoff, which succeeded with a more contained storyline while retaining the franchise’s signature action intensity. This suggests that John Wick 5 does not need to follow the scale of Chapter 4 to remain compelling and engaging.
Choosing a shorter runtime could also make the return of Keanu Reeves as John Wick feel fresh and accessible, rather than overwhelming. It allows for an intense, action-packed experience without the burden of extensive exposition or prolonged scenes, thereby respecting the audience’s time and maintaining the franchise’s momentum.
Notable Cast Contributions to the Franchise’s Depth
The continuing appeal of the John Wick series is partly due to its talented cast, including Hiroyuki Sanada and Clancy Brown, who enrich the film’s complex world and bring depth to their characters. Their performances contribute meaningfully to the expansive mythology and high stakes drama that define the franchise.
As the John Wick universe grows, creators face the challenge of balancing richly detailed storytelling with economical pacing. The next installment’s length and structure will be crucial in determining the franchise’s future appeal and sustainability, especially for long-time fans eager to see how John Wick’s saga unfolds beyond Chapter 4.
