John Wick: Chapter 4 seems to close the book on the action series, but there are ways that the planned fifth movie can still be an organic sequel.
The following contains spoilers for John Wick: Chapter 4, now in theaters.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is another exciting entry in the action-packed revenge story, though some might also think that it's the last. The movie's conclusion seems to suggest that no more stories can be told in the franchise, at least in terms of forward momentum. Nevertheless, there are ways in which the fifth and final chapter could be told.
John Wick had adventures before the first four movies, and such tales could be interwoven with present-day events. Likewise, it's highly likely that Wick isn't quite as dead as he would seem, allowing for one more blood-soaked story. Here's how the John Wick series could continue for another chapter.
In the final scenes of John Wick: Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves' John Wick seems to die after sustaining intense injuries from his latest series of fights. He's then buried back in America, with his impromptu funeral attended by his old friend Winston and the Bowery King. Thus, the fact that Chapter 5 of the series is planned is incredibly questionable if for no other reason than the protagonist himself is dead. One way for this fifth movie to come out is to have it set after Chapter 4, with Winston and the Bowery King trying to pick up the pieces of John's ended life. Likewise, it could tie into past events of said life that took place before the series began, allowing Keanu Reeves to jump back into action as the character in a series of extensive flashbacks.
This method would allow for more no-holds-barred action, as Winston and the Bowery King likely wouldn't be up to such movements. It would not only be a fitting epilogue to the legend of John Wick but also be an unconventional way to truly end the series without repeating too much of the past films' structure. Still, some might see it as "cheating" or as an artificial way of extending the franchise's story. A more natural way to make a true sendoff to John Wick would ironically be to reveal that he isn't dead at all.
It's worth noting that, despite Winston and the Bowery King going to John's grave at the end of John Wick: Chapter 4, Wick's officially dead body is never seen. He collapses after his showdown with Caine and the Marquis, but this alone isn't confirmation that he's dead. On top of that, the Bowery King asks Winston whether John went to Hell or Heaven. He simply responds with a smirk as the two walk away, signaling the end of the franchise as audiences have known it. This series of events suggests that Mr. Wick isn't quite as dead as it would seem.
John Wick may still be alive, having faked his death and gone on to live a new life. Doing so would permanently sever his ties to the world of assassins, allowing him to experience the type of peace that his wife wanted for him. John even tells Winston to "take him home" after the fight with Caine, and this could have meant returning him to the streets of Belarus, where he was born. The problem with this theory is that John was already free of the High Table's machinations, removing any need for him to fake his death. It'd also again be a sort of artificial extension of the story and even bring down the quality of the fourth film. Thus, while John Wick: Chapter 5 may still be coming down the pipeline, it's unknown exactly what form it will take or how it will use the series' protagonist.
To see how it might leave the door open for another chapter, John Wick: Chapter 4 is now playing in theaters.
Timothy Blake Donohoo is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he majored in Communication and minored in Creative Writing. A professional freelance writer and marketing expert, he’s written marketing copy and retail listings for companies such as Viatek. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, watching documentaries and catching up on the latest Vaporwave and Electro-Swing musical releases.