Onthe DVD extras for The Social Network, there’s a fascinating clip of Andrew Garfield agonising over the type of watch his character would wear. For actors, deciding what their character should wear can help to put them in the right frame of mind. For filmmakers, itcan help tell the shape the story. When it comes to creating memorablecharacters, then, clothes plays a vital role – and yet for some costume isall about style over function.
Case in point: John Wick. When the firstfilm was released back in 2015, the costumes provided by designer Luca Mosca were scrutinised purely on an aesthetic level – thetailored suits worn by Keanu Reeves’ eponymous hitman spoken of in terms thatwould make a GQ writer drool. That’s true enough, but Mosca’s slick, minimalist costume design also serves an important storytelling function.
Any frantically-pacedaction movie requires a skilled costume designer. A character’s wardrobe tells us not only whatthey wear, but alsoreveals elements of theirpersonality, their profession and their place within the world of the film. Action movies requireus to make quick judgments before the bullets can start to fly. In 1994’s Leon, Gary Oldman’s Stansfield wears a baggy suit with wide lapels to reflect his excessive personality. Bruce Willis’ John McClanesports a white vest which denotes his everyman status, while James Bond’s hi-spec tuxedos highlight his elite status.
Like Bond, John Wick’s sharp suits are an signifierofhis abilities. Yetthis particular action moviegoes deeper than most. Wick’s fashion sense charts his story. His character is sewn into the plot. Asthestory progresses, Wick graduates frompyjamas to finelytailored suits; the first act culminates in him dispatching henchmen in an all-black number. Mosca (who cameos in John Wick: Chapter 2 as, rather fittingly, an Italian tailor) and directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch set up Wick’s motivation and conflict using costume. It’s a prime example of what American film theorist Kristin Thompson calls “unobtrusive craftsmanship”.
![Why you should be paying more attention to John Wick’s suits (1) Why you should be paying more attention to John Wick’s suits (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
The filmmakers normalise Wick’s violent tendencies by leaning on certain stereotypes. In cinema, thesuit is commonly the uniform of the white-collar worker. The opening scene,in which we see John Wick showering, tying his tie and putting on a jacket, therefore suggeststhat he is just going to work. Only in this world, killing is the norm. The “boogeyman” doesn’t go to an office, but he still has his routine.
In John Wick, the all-black suit is a recurringmotif, a visual shorthand that tellsus whenJohn is at his most lethal. Itfirst appears as he begins his reentry into the criminal underworld, and when he eventually dispatches his chief target, he returns to the comfort – and normality – of his pyjamas. Only when Adrianne Palicki’s assassin attemptsto kill himat the Continentaldo thesetwo worlds collide –Wick is forced to fight her in his pyjamas, and from that point on he knowshe will never be able to retire as planned.
Visually speaking, the costumes in John Wick stitch together the action sequences together and add furthercontinuity. Yet they also help to clarify action scenes. In Jaws, when the shark first attacks the busy beach, director Steven Spielberg clarifies the chaos by using clothes as visual markers. Spielberg emphasises the boy in the red swim trunks and the woman in the striped swimsuit. The characters haven’t featured up tothis point – they are identified only through their clothes. When the shark attacks, their physical appearance makes it painfully clear what is happening.
Both John Wick and its recent sequel have received praisefor the clarity of their action scenes and this in part is thanksto Mosca’s costume design. In the standoutnightclub sequence from the first movie, the neon lighting makes a beacon of Wick’scrisp white shirt, instantlydrawing our attention. Even more crucially, he stands out against the many henchmen dressedinred and black shirts. Even when he’s fighting in the dark, the filmmakers usecostume to ensure that the action is easy to follow.
According to the V&A, the highly specialised field of dance costume design should show the overall concept of the work, emphasisefreedom of movement and aid the choreography. With the stunning bullet ballet that isJohn Wick: Chapter 2, Mosca’s immaculate designs are again woveninto the very fabric of the action scenes. Wick pairs garmentsjustas well as he dispatches henchmen with clinical head shots, and his sartorial elegancereveals a great deal about hischaracter. In short, his style has substance.
Published 20 Feb 2017
Tags: Chad Stahelski Keanu Reeves Luca Mosca
FAQs
To his enemies, John Wick's suit and tie are a signal that he is fully in assassin mode and are a "professional courtesy," as John might say, to prepare for his attack. To everyone else, John's suit and tie are a sign to stay out of his way, as he battles his adversaries in the John Wick franchise.
Why is John Wick always wearing a suit? ›
John Wick typically wears a suit and tie in the John Wick franchise, due to both being a core part of his identity.
How many words does John Wick say in John Wick 1? ›
John Wick: A Man of Few Words
According to the Wall Street Journal, in the first installment of the John Wick franchise, Reeves speaks only 484 words over a 101-minute runtime.
Is John Wick Based on a true story? ›
No, John Wick is not based on a true story.
Do bullet proof suits work? ›
A bulletproof vest is actually bullet resistant. This means it will prevent the vest from being penetrated by certain types and sizes of bullets traveling up to certain speeds. Even if a vest is strong enough to stop the bullet from penetrating, the wearer may still suffer injury.
Is John Wick suit bulletproof? ›
As seen in all three of the movies, John Wick indeed has a bulletproof suit, whether it be kevlar lined or just filled with body armour.
Why does John Wick wear black suits? ›
In John Wick, the all-black suit is a recurring motif, a visual shorthand that tells us when John is at his most lethal. It first appears as he begins his reentry into the criminal underworld, and when he eventually dispatches his chief target, he returns to the comfort – and normality – of his pyjamas.
What is John Wick supposed to be? ›
John Wick is an retired assassin who returns back to his old ways after a group of Russian gangsters steal his car and kill a puppy which was gifted to him by his late wife Helen.
Is John Wick a good or bad guy? ›
John Wick is a sympathetic antihero assassin. He's not a “hero” in the conventional sense, but neither is he a “villain” in the conventional sense either.
What is code 11111 John Wick? ›
Trivia. Winston orders #11111. It is the same number as President John F. Kennedy's executive order (executive order 11111).
He retired in order to spend time with his wife, Helen Wick, who later passed away from an unidentified illness. His superior, Viggo Tarasov, promised to allow John to quit if he first completed an "impossible task": killing all of Tarasov's enemies in a single night.
Did Winston actually betray John Wick? ›
John Wick 4: Winston Didn't Try To Kill John In Chapter 3 - Theory Explained - IMDb. After Winston betrayed John Wick at the end of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, but when Ian McShane's character returns in John Wick: Chapter 4 his true motives for doing so may be part of a shocking twist.
Who betrayed John Wick? ›
Though Winston betrayed John in John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum, hoping to stay in the good graces of the High Table, the newly empowered Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) opts to punish Winston for his loyalty to John, destroying the New York Continental and killing Charon (Lance Reddick). Winston now wants his own revenge.
What ethnicity is John Wick? ›
Fictional character biography. John was born Jardani Jovonovich (Russian: Джордани Йованович, Belarusian: Ярдані Яванавіч) in Padhorje, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union on September 2, 1964. He was orphaned at a young age before being taken in by an old friend of his father, who would eventually become John's mentor.
How much would John Wick's suit cost? ›
The problem is, those vests don't look like Mr. Wick's wardrobe at all. There are, however, options. The Hacksmith – Hackaday alum [James Hobson] — has a prototype Kevlar suit that supposedly cost a little under $100,000 to produce.
Can an AR 15 penetrate a bulletproof vest? ›
These guardians understand an AR-15's mass murder capability — and so should we. AR-15 bullets can penetrate the soft body armor typically worn by police, which is built to stop handgun rounds.
Will a bomb suit save you? ›
The suit protects in several ways. It deflects or stops projectiles that may come from an exploded device. The second way it protects is by stopping the blast wave from being transmitted and injuring the wearer.
Who is the strongest person in John Wick? ›
John Wick: 9 Strongest Hitmen In The Movies, Ranked
- 8 Ernest.
- 7 Cassian.
- 6 Sofia.
- 5 The Shinobi.
- 4 Ares.
- 3 Zero.
- 2 Caine.
- 1 John Wick.
Can John Wick beat Rambo? ›
That could turn a battle to the death slightly in Rambo's favor, but when all is said and done, Wick would be the most likely to draw first and last blood.
How many bullets does John Wick take? ›
Heckler & Koch P30L (John Wick, 2014)
The firearm first appears in the digging scene and helps John in several firefights, including the iconic home invasion and nightclub chase scenes. The model featured in the 2014 movie is chambered in the 9mm Luger cartridge and has a 15-round mag capacity.
Though the timepiece can be seen, John Wick wears it on the inside of his wrist. According to Chad Stahelski, the movie's co-director, the character wears it that way to protect it during action-packed scenes, which is similar to how soldiers wear their watches when out in combat.
Why did John Wick get branded? ›
John Wick is making his way through Manhattan before he is labeled "excommunicado" for the unauthorized killing of High Table crime lord Santino D'Antonio.
Does John Wick wear a ring? ›
John Wick accepts and seals the deal by chopping off his ring finger, with John surrendering both his finger and wedding ring to the Elder and the High Table. There are actually several reasons why John specifically cut off his ring finger, even though no straightforward explanation is given in John Wick: Chapter 3.
Who could beat John Wick? ›
The Terminator could easily take out John Wick and he wouldn't even see it coming. Impervious to basically any human weapon, Wick wouldn't even know how to dent the T2's skeleton and would be dead in a matter of seconds.
Will John Wick 5 come? ›
In an unexpected turn of events, Lionsgate Films has officially confirmed the highly anticipated fifth installment of the action-packed John Wick franchise. Lionsgate's motion picture group chair Joe Drake revealed the news during an Q4 earnings call.
How old is John Wick? ›
The script's story centered around the character John Wick, a long-retired hitman in his mid-60s to mid-70s who is forced back into his former life. John Wick was modeled on actors such as Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman.
Who is the real villain in John Wick? ›
Viggo Tarasov (Russian: Вигго Тарасов, Viggo Tarasov) is the main antagonist of the 2014 action film John Wick, and a posthumous antagonist in its 2017 sequel John Wick: Chapter 2.
Is John Wick a spy or assassin? ›
Wick was a dangerous and competent assassin, but there are some other on-screen assassins that could give him a run for his money.
What type of male is John Wick? ›
John Wick is a man of few words who prefers to let his actions speak for themselves. He is not one to engage in idle chatter or small talk, and he communicates with others primarily through his actions. This is in keeping with the sigma male archetype, which is characterised by a quiet and reserved demeanour.
Why is John Wick a 15? ›
Parents need to know that John Wick is a brutally violent, frequently bloody thriller starring Keanu Reeves as an assassin. There's a very high body count: Characters are shot, maimed, stabbed, beaten, threatened, killed with firearms at close range, blown to bits in an explosion, strangled with bare hands,…
Sequel. By 2023, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed that a fifth film was being developed alongside John Wick: Chapter 4. While it was initially intended to be shot back-to-back with the fourth installment, in March 2021 Lionsgate opted to delay production and solely move forward with Chapter 4.
What is John Wick most famous line? ›
Whoever Comes, Whoever It Is, I'll Kill Them. I'll Kill Them All."
What is the most famous John Wick scene? ›
The Best John Wick Fight Scenes Ranked
- Ernest In The Library: Chapter 3. ...
- The Hall Of Mirrors: Chapter 2. ...
- Combat In The Red Circle Club: Chapter 1. ...
- Home Invasion: Chapter 1. ...
- Showdown in the Osaka Continental: Chapter 4. ...
- New York's Motorcycle Chase: Chapter 3. ...
- A Battle of Inches and Stairs: Chapter 4.
Why was John Wick so angry? ›
He killed people for extravagant sums of money, fell in love, got out of the assassin trade, then went on a four-movie rampage to avenge a personal slight. He's not out to save the world, and he's not interested in the morality of his actions. He's just angry.
What did John Wick's wife do? ›
Helen was a famous photographer who met her future husband John Wick at a restaurant. Wick, was working for Viggo Tarasov and his crime organization as a hitman at the time, fell in love with Helen. It was Helen who caused John to complete one final task for Viggo and retire from a life of killing.
How much is a coin worth in John Wick? ›
The gold coins, in and of themselves, have no inherent monetary value. A single coin can pay for many services or products, like a doctor's appointment, a cadaver's disposal, a drink, or a taxi ride, among other things. There is no dollar conversion rate for the coins, as they are more than just money.
What is John Wick's favorite weapon? ›
17 Glock 26 (John Wick)
One of the simpler guns in the franchise, John uses the Glock 26 in each of the first three movies. While it appears to be quite basic, it is one of Wick's personal favorites, which is not good for anyone who might happen to find themselves on the other end of the barrel.
Why does Sophia hate John Wick? ›
Personality. Sofia was shown to be mad at John for bringing trouble to her Casablanca Continental, since he was excommunicado. By bringing up the marker, she's obligated to help him against her benefit, possibly fearing that her daughter being kept in hiding may be compromised.
Why did John Wick shoot Gianna? ›
John informs her that her brother had made him kill her with the blood oath he had sworn to him. Resigned to the fact she was going to die, Gianna opts to die her way, and slits her wrists while taking a bath. However, John puts a bullet in her skull after she's assumed to have lost consciousness from blood loss.
How did John Wick survive the fall? ›
John Wick Survives - And Is Taken To The Bowery King
It seems implausible that someone could survive both a gunshot wound and a lengthy fall from a New York City hotel — but this is John Wick. Naturally, he's wearing a bulletproof vest, and manages not to break every bone in his body.
Perkins is the secondary antagonist in the 2014 action film John Wick. She is a ruthless assassin who targeted her ex-colleague John Wick under orders from her boss, Viggo Tarasov. She was portrayed by Adrianne Palicki, who also played Sydney Manning in Criminal Minds and Wonder Woman in 2011s Wonder Woman pilot.
Who killed Marcus in John Wick? ›
Viggo grabs his pistol and before killing him, Marcus mocks him by saying "See?". He is then shot six times by Viggo, who later replies to a dead Marcus "Well played old friend."
Who adopted John Wick? ›
The Director brought him to the United States, and under her tutelage, Jardani developed martial art skills and basic training. At some point, Jardani adopted the name "Jonathan "John" Wick", and left the Ruska Roma for undisclosed reasons.
Is John Wick Religious? ›
The John Wick world is a godless world, but still an outwardly religious one. The underworld organizations use heavy religious terminology and inspiration—essentially operating as a religion—while also running some of their operations inside of old churches.
How realistic is John Wick? ›
If you want to see a movie filled with realistic fight scenes, don't pick John Wick 4. While the entire series is grounded in some sense of reality – there aren't any triple-backflip-corkscrew-flying-kicks or catching bullets in midair – it's a far cry from the realism similar action films like James Bond aim for.
Why does John Wick get branded? ›
John Wick is making his way through Manhattan before he is labeled "excommunicado" for the unauthorized killing of High Table crime lord Santino D'Antonio.
What race is John Wick? ›
Fictional character biography. John was born Jardani Jovonovich (Russian: Джордани Йованович, Belarusian: Ярдані Яванавіч) in Padhorje, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union on September 2, 1964. He was orphaned at a young age before being taken in by an old friend of his father, who would eventually become John's mentor.
Why did John Wick lose a finger? ›
We're always fascinated with taking away assassins' hands,” Stahelski points out. In Chapter 3, Wick cuts off his finger to show his loyalty to The High Table, but there's more to it. “He's not taking a finger. It's taking away the ability to symbolize union or love,” notes Stahelski.
Why do Marines wear their watch backwards? ›
To protect the watch from physical and water damage. To keep the timepiece hidden and out of sight. So they can see the time when holding a weapon. To reduce their exposure to others.
What does 11111 mean in John Wick? ›
Trivia. Winston orders #11111. It is the same number as President John F. Kennedy's executive order (executive order 11111). JFK's executive order on June 11, 1963, provided "assistance for the removal of obstructions of justice and suppression of unlawful combinations within the state of Alabama."
The gold coins, in and of themselves, have no inherent monetary value. A single coin can pay for many services or products, like a doctor's appointment, a cadaver's disposal, a drink, or a taxi ride, among other things. There is no dollar conversion rate for the coins, as they are more than just money.
Who is John Wick's equal? ›
Mumbai, March 10 (Ians) Actor and martial artiste Donnie Yen, who makes his debut in the 'John Wick' universe with 'John Wick: Chapter 4', said that his character of Caine, a blind assassin is going to be an equal if not greater than John Wick.