Why Doesn’t John Wick Have a Broken Back?

Jill Pantozzi | March 28th, 2023

Actor Keanu Reeves is walking away from a church altar lit by a ridiculous number of candles. He's wearing his trademark all-black suit. There is a man sitting in a chair facing away from him with dark hair and a dark suit. — Keanu Reeves as John Wick in the fourth installment of the Chad Stahelski action franchise.

The Keanu Reeves-led John Wick: Chapter 4 exploded into theaters this weekend like a…well, like a headshot from John Wick. Chad Stahelski’s new film achieved a box office best for the franchise with a $73 million opening weekend and continued the great tradition of beating the ever-loving crap out of Mr. Wick.

When you go into a John Wick movie you’re going in with the knowledge that you’ll get tons of heart-pounding, bone-breaking action—Stahelenski is also a stunt coordinator after all. Though you may be wondering how, after four films worth of Reeves’ character being hit by speeding cars, thrown off buildings, and getting tossed around by hundreds of assassins, this man could possibly not have a broken spine, let alone ribs, arms, legs etc. Allow me to explain.

Why isn’t John Wick’s back broken?

Because the John Wick franchise is fictional and John Wick is the hero.

You’re welcome.

John Wick: Chapter 4—also starring Donnie Yen, Laurence Fishburne, Rina Sawayama, Ian McShane, Shamier Anderson, Hiroyuki Sanada, Bill Skarsgård, and the late, great Lance Reddick—is in theaters now. I highly recommend it.