The John Wick film series is known for its intense action, gripping storylines, and most importantly, its meticulous fight choreography. From hand-to-hand combat to thrilling gunfights, the film showcases a unique blend of martial arts techniques that set a new standard for action movies. But what makes John Wick stand out from other action series? It combines diverse martial arts styles to create intense and realistic fight sequences. This complete guide takes a deep dive into the martial arts featured prominently in the John Wick series, shedding light on their styles, their origins, and how they were utilized to create some of the most memorable fight scenes of modern times. I’ll guess. cinema.
Kali (Filipino Martial Arts)
Kali, also known as Eskrima or Arnis, is one of the most prominent martial arts used in the John Wick series. Kali is known for focusing on weapons training, especially with knives, sticks, and other hand-held tools, and also incorporates hand-to-hand combat techniques. Keanu Reeves, who plays John Wick, trained extensively in Cali for the film, focusing on smooth, efficient movements that work well in close quarters combat.
John Wick’s choreography frequently features quick, decisive strikes with weapons, especially during intense combat moments when John must quickly disarm and incapacitate his enemies. Kali’s principle of attacking and defending at the same time fits perfectly with the series’ fast-paced action style.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is another central martial art in the John Wick series. With its emphasis on groundwork and submissions, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows practitioners to use leverage and technique to incapacitate opponents, rather than relying solely on force. This is best if your opponent is larger than you or physically imposing.
In John Wick, BJJ is used to great effect in grappling and submission-based scenarios. These techniques are especially useful in close combat where John needs to control his enemies and finish the fight efficiently. The transition from standing to ground combat and back again is often seamlessly integrated into action scenes, making combat feel fluid and natural.
Judo
Judo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on throws, joints, and pins, and is another important style featured in John Wick. Judo techniques are all about harnessing the opponent’s strength, making it perfect for the series’ quick and reactive fighting style.
Keanu Reeves specifically trained in judo for the film’s most spectacular fight scenes. The off-balance principle in judo can be seen in several scenes in John Wick, where John uses his opponent’s momentum to throw or destabilize his opponent to the ground. These techniques are extremely important for a character like John, who often faces multiple enemies in a confined space.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu, especially Wing Chun and other traditional Chinese martial arts, are subtly woven into the fabric of John Wick. Martial arts that focus on quick strikes, fluid movements, and strong stances fit perfectly into the series’ dynamic fighting style.
In certain fight scenes, especially in later films, John Wick is seen using the quick hand strikes, low kicks, and close-range attacks that are characteristic of Wing Chun. Kung Fu’s emphasis on precision and adaptability works well with John Wick’s tactical approach, especially when you have to maneuver through tight spaces or against multiple enemies.
Sambo (Russian Martial Art)
Sambo is a Russian martial art that combines judo and wrestling techniques and is another important style used in the John Wick movies. Sambo is known for its devastating leglocks, throws, and grappling techniques, which are used to quickly incapacitate opponents during combat.
Sambo’s influence is especially noticeable in the way John handles his opponents in hand-to-hand combat, especially when he quickly disarms or incapacitates his opponents with submission holds. Considering that many of the villains in the John Wick series are of Russian origin, it makes sense that sambo would play a role in John’s fighting style to defeat his enemies.
Boxing
Boxing, with its emphasis on punches, footwork, and head movement, completes John Wick’s martial arts mix. Although the series is known for its intricate choreography, simple boxing techniques are often used during key moments of hand-to-hand combat.
John Wick’s boxing training shows in his ability to close distance and land powerful punches in tight spaces. Whether attacking your opponent while dodging incoming gunfire or using your fists to break free from a grapple, boxing provides a solid foundation for the fast and brutal combat your characters will often encounter.
Gun Fu
One of the most iconic aspects of John Wick’s fighting style is “gun fu,” a combination of martial arts and firearms. This hybrid style is designed to make John Wick the ultimate fighter, seamlessly blending fluid martial arts moves with precise shooting techniques.
Gung Fu draws inspiration from multiple martial arts, but its biggest influence is Krav Maga, a style known for its practical, real-world applications. In John Wick, this is shown in the way John Wick disarms his enemies, uses the environment to his advantage, and efficiently transitions from martial arts movements to gunfire in an instant.
Final Thoughts
The John Wick series has raised the bar for action movies not only with its excellent fight choreography, but also with its integration of different martial arts styles. From Kali’s fluid strikes to Sambo’s devastating moves, all martial arts contribute to the film’s intense, fast-paced fighting style. Keanu Reeves’ commitment to learning these arts and faithfully applying them on screen helped solidify John Wick as one of the most beloved action series of all time.
If you want to learn more about martial arts in John Wick and how these techniques have shaped the series, be sure to read FMEnt‘s complete guide.
