JOHN WICK (2014)

7-Point Story structure analysis

Weakness and need: John Wick is emotionally shattered after the death of his wife,
Helen, the one person who gave him a chance to escape his violent past. Without her,
He is filled with suppressed grief. He is a retired assassin trying to live a peaceful life but
is vulnerable due to his unresolved loss. His weakness is both emotional and
situational, he has no emotional support system now that his wife is gone.

John’s need is also emotional where he wants to avenge the death of his puppy, Daisy
which was the last gift his wife left him behind with after her death.

Desire: John’s initial desire is to live a quiet and peaceful life while grieving Helen. He
seeks solace through the puppy, Daisy, which Helen gifted him to help him cope with
her absence. The dog represents his last connection to love and hope. When Iosef
Tarasov kills Daisy and steals John’s car, it awakens a dormant rage within him. John’s
desire becomes revenge, fuelled not just by the loss of Daisy but also by the disrespect
shown toward the memory of his wife.

Opponent: Losef Tarasov, the spoiled and arrogant son of Viggo Tarasov, triggers the
entire chain of events. His impulsive action of stealing John’s mustang and killing Daisy,
without knowing who John is and what he’s capable of. Viggo Tarasov, father of losef, is a
powerful Russian crime lord and John’s former employer, becomes a more formidable
opponent. Unlike Iosef, Viggo knows exactly who John is and understands the level of
threat he poses. Viggo also initiates a bounty on John to stop him from killing his son
which in turn makes the criminal underworld one of his opponents.

Plan: John devises a methodical plan to dismantle Viggo’s resources and force him to
give up Iosef. He first begins by sending a clear message, killing a group of Viggo’s men
who attack him at home. He then targets Viggo’s money and power, including raiding his
safe house where Viggo stores his wealth and destroying his assets. John uses his
insider knowledge of the criminal underworld to predict Viggo’s moves and counter
them effectively. He infiltrates secure locations, such as the nightclub where Iosef
hides, and eliminates key figures in Viggo’s network to weaken his position. John's plan
is driven by precision, rage, and his reputation as the “Baba Yaga” (the Boogeyman), a
figure feared by everyone in the underworld.

Battle: The film’s final battle occurs between John and Viggo, after John has killed Iosef.
It’s a brutal, physical fight in the rain, where John channels his pain and rage to finally
defeat Viggo. This battle signifies John’s relentless will and the resolution of his
immediate vengeance arc.
Self-revelation: John comes to a painful realization that he cannot escape his violent
nature. The peace he sought through Helen was only temporary, as his past and the
world he left behind will always pull him back in. He also comes to a realisation that
vengeance provides temporary satisfaction, but it doesn’t heal the deeper wounds of
loss and grief. Killing Iosef and Viggo doesn’t bring Helen back, nor does it fill the
emotional void left by her absence.

New equilibrium: After completing his revenge, John adopts a new dog from an animal
shelter, symbolizing a faint glimmer of hope and a potential fresh start. However, the
events of the film have permanently altered his life, his re-entry into the criminal
underworld has reignited old connections and rivalries, leaving him vulnerable to
further conflicts.

Character analysis
John Wick

• Role: Protagonist

• Personality: Quiet, disciplined, and emotionally driven. John is a grieving

husband with a violent past as a legendary assassin, known as the "Baba Yaga."

• Strengths: Master strategist and skilled in combat.

• Weaknesses: Emotional vulnerability tied to his wife’s death, and his inability to
escape his violent nature.

Losef Tarasov

• Role: Catalyst/Antagonist

• Personality: Spoiled and reckless. Iosef’s arrogance and ignorance lead him to
provoke John by killing his dog and stealing his car.

• Strengths: Protected by his father’s resources and criminal empire.

• Weaknesses: Immaturity and inability to understand the consequences of his

actions.

Viggo Tarasov

• Role: Main Antagonist

• Personality: Ruthless crime lord who respects John’s lethal reputation but is
forced to defend his son.

• Strengths: Commands a vast criminal empire and understands the underworld.

 • Weaknesses: His emotional attachment to Iosef blinds him to the futility of
protecting him.

Winston

• Role: Mentor

• Personality: Calm, composed, and authoritative as the manager of the

Continental, the neutral ground for assassins.

• Strengths: Respected in the underworld, with significant influence and control

over its rules.

• Weaknesses: Limited to enforcing the rules of the Continental, cant directly

involve himself in conflicts.

Marcus

• Role: Ally

• Personality: Loyal and experienced assassin who acts as a father figure to John,
offering guidance and protection.

• Strengths: Skilled sniper and unwavering loyalty to John.

• Weaknesses: His allegiance to John leads to his betrayal and death.

Ms. Perkins

• Role: Opportunistic Antagonist

• Personality: Ambitious and ruthless, willing to break the Continental’s rules for
personal gain.

• Strengths: Skilled in combat and resourceful.

• Weaknesses: Disregard for the rules leads to her execution.

Charon

• Role: Neutral Facilitator

• Personality: Polite and professional concierge of the Continental, ensuring the

rules are upheld.

• Strengths: Calm and efficient in his duties.

• Weaknesses: Limited to his role within the Continental.

 Three ACT structure analysis

Act 1: Setup

• Introduction:
John Wick is introduced as a grieving husband, mourning the recent death of his
wife, Helen. Her final gift, a puppy named Daisy, gives him a sense of hope and
connection to her memory.

• Inciting Incident:
Iosef Tarasov, unaware of John’s identity, steals his car and kills Daisy. This
shatters John’s attempt to live peacefully without thinking about his past and
triggers his descent back into the violent world he left behind.

• Plot Point 1:
John digs up his hidden stash of weapons, symbolizing his return to his past life
as an assassin. Viggo Tarasov, Iosef’s father, recognizes the gravity of the
situation and places a bounty on John to protect Iosef.

Act 2: Confrontation

• Midpoint:
John destroys Viggo’s money and resources as a strategic move to weaken his
opponent. This escalates the stakes, forcing Viggo to betray Iosef’s location to
save himself.

• Plot Point 2:
John kills Iosef, completing his revenge for Daisy. However, Viggo retaliates by
killing Marcus, John’s friend and ally. This act reignites John’s anger and sets the
stage for the final confrontation.

Act 3: Resolution

• Climax:
John confronts Viggo in a brutal, final battle. After an intense hand-to-hand fight
in the rain, John kills Viggo, ending the immediate conflict and avenging Marcus.

• Resolution:
Wounded but alive, John adopts a new dog, symbolizing a faint hope for a new
beginning, though his violent past remains a shadow over his future.