John Wick: Don’t Set Him Off (2025)

John Wick: Don’t Set Him Off (2025)
Genre: Action / Thriller | Directed by Chad Stahelski | Runtime: 2h 12min

Just when you thought the legend had been buried with the body count in John Wick: Chapter 4, the Boogeyman returns—deadlier than ever. John Wick: Don’t Set Him Off (2025) is a stunning resurrection of the franchise that brings the action back to its brutal roots while expanding the mythology to new and unexpected levels.

Set one year after the events of Chapter 4, which ended with Wick presumed dead, Don’t Set Him Off reveals that John faked his death to disappear from the blood-soaked world of assassins. Living under a new alias in the misty highlands of Scotland, Wick is finally at peace—or so he believes.

When a shadowy global syndicate called The Dominion rises from the ashes of the High Table, hunting down all former members of the assassin world—including Winston, Bowery King, and even former enemies—Wick is forced to return to protect the few people he still cares about. But this time, he's not just fighting for survival; he’s fighting to end the system once and for all.

The tagline says it all: “Don’t set him off.” Someone did. And they’re going to regret it.

If there’s one thing John Wick films guarantee, it’s jaw-dropping action—and Don’t Set Him Off delivers in spades. The choreography is once again masterfully directed by Chad Stahelski, combining gun-fu, blade combat, horseback chases, and even a one-take fight through a burning cathedral.

One standout sequence takes place in an abandoned opera house in Vienna, where Wick and a new ally—played brilliantly by Donnie Yen returning as Caine—battle a horde of Dominion enforcers amid falling chandeliers and trapdoors. Every scene is designed with balletic precision, but never loses its brutal, grounded intensity.

Keanu Reeves slips back into the suit like he never left, bringing more depth to Wick’s character this time—world-weary, emotionally scarred, but still driven by his own code. Reeves’ performance feels more personal, tapping into John’s pain and quiet fury.

Supporting cast includes Ian McShane as the ever-slick Winston, Laurence Fishburne as the fiery Bowery King, and Rina Sawayama reprising her role as Akira with a vengeance. Newcomer Rami Malek stuns as the enigmatic leader of The Dominion, offering a cerebral and menacing villain unlike any the series has faced before.

The film dives deeper into the Wickverse, unveiling the origins of The High Table, the secrets of the Continental network, and Wick’s past connections to ancient warrior clans. The mythology is rich, yet never overwhelming, balancing lore with relentless pacing.

Themes of redemption, legacy, and the cost of freedom pulse throughout the narrative. Unlike previous entries that focused on revenge or escape, Don’t Set Him Off is about confrontation—of systems, of past sins, and of one’s own nature.

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
John Wick: Don’t Set Him Off (2025) is a high-octane triumph that revitalizes the franchise while giving it emotional closure. Stylish, savage, and surprisingly heartfelt, it may be the best Wick film yet. If this truly is the final chapter, it’s a hell of a way to go out.