John Wickis an iconic character thanks to his stellar action sequences and portrayal by the one and only Keanu Reeves. With this iconic status, also comes some truly memorable quotes. While the Baga Yaga might not speak all that much across everyJohn Wickmovie, he still has some pretty impactful lines that are as memorable as some of his best kills across the series.
John Wick is an absolute legend, and as his fate remains ambiguous among die-hard fans, it’s time to go back and celebrate what we have all heard from the iconic and deadly John Wick by featuring some of his best quotes, whether they be cool, poetic, or just incredibly awesome.
10“Yeah…”
Always a Man of Focus, and Few Words
John Wick may be a man of few words, but he’s also a man of focus, commitment, and sheer will. With such, John Wick proves that few words are just as powerful when it comes from a man who can kill 2 people with a pencil. A simple word of acknowledgment, so few and yet so effective to conveyexactly how John Wick feels.
Whether it’s in response to a murder he’s about to commit, or in agreement with a teasing friend, hearing John Wick say “Yeah” is only a good thing if you’re on his side, because that word could easily mean a bullet to the brain to anyone who has evoked the wrath of the Baba Yaga.
In the Face of Defeat, an Enraged John Wick Relishes Out of Retirement
John Wick completed an impossible task to retire and be with his beloved wife, Helen. Yet, in her death, she gave John life and allowed him to grieve no longer alone thanks to her last gift: a puppy. Yet, the puppy was killed by his former contractor’s son, causing a rage like no other to boil in John Wick that would seethe through hate-filled words and force him back into the world that he wanted to leave behind.
Even tied up and ready to be suffocated, John Wick doesn’t mince his words to Vigo as he lays down one last threat. John Wick isn’t just here for revenge, he’s back for good, returning to this life for the sole purpose of killing Vigo’s son, no matter the consequence that follows.
8“You Don’t Want Me Owing You.”
It’s a Dangerous Game to Hold John Wick to a Favor
A short conversation with the Bowery King reveals truth and concern to John Wick, who tells the man that it’s in everyone’s best interest, especially the Bowery King, that he doesn’t owe him anything after the help he gives him. This is something that follows the path of John Wick, hauntingevery step and every bullet.
John isn’t just being snarky, he’s telling the truth. Those who are owed something by John Wick rarely come out alive, so it’s best if everyone leaves the Baba Yaga alone. If they don’t? They will feel his wrath upon them.
7“Tell Them… Tell Them All… Whoever Comes, Whoever It Is… I’ll Kill Them. I’ll Kill Them All.”
An Army of the Best Assassins in the World Won’t Stop John Wick
After John Wick sacrifices his freedoms by killing Santino D’Antonio in the Continental, he’s informed by his old friend and the manager of the Continental who serves under the High Table that there’s a hit out on John Wick, and theBaba Yaga will not be safe. With no fear in his voice, but sheer commitment and will, John replies that he will kill whoever comes for him.
This isn’t just a threat, it’s a confident promise and one that Winston heeds. John Wick knows the crimes he has committed against the High Table, but it’s not going to stop him, and no matter how many men and women come after him: he’ll kill them all.
6“Do You Want a War? Or Do You Wanna Just Give Me a Gun?”
It’s Better to Give John a Gun to Kill, Than to Try and Kill Him
Santino D’Antonio is hunting John Wick, and a $7,000,000 bounty weighs heavy on his head. With no other choice, John turns to the Bowery King, to which the Bowery King informs him of the price on his head and how much money that could bring in. However, John takes one look at the men in the room and asks the Bowery King in calm that he can either give him a gun or start a war that he won’t win.
John’s confidence is nothing short of chilling and even outmanned in this very room, he knows it will be a one-man war against the entire system that he would win. The war can be completely avoided by just giving him a gun and sending him on his path of furious vengeance, and it’s something the Bowery King agrees to, for good reason.
5“Consider This a Professional Courtesy.”
A Snarky Remark About Not Killing Your Enemy
Cassian was a loyal assassin who served Gianna D’Antonio, but he failed her when John Wick was able to kill her as per the demand of Gianna’s brother. Cassian, fueled by revenge, hunts John Wick, and won’t stop until one of them is dead. Yet, it’s Cassian who ends up a walking corpse, as John Wick stabs him in the heart but doesn’t finish him off, allowing Cassian a chance to live.
This is John’s way of presenting a professional courtesy, showcasing that there’s a layer of professionalism and understanding against the man who willstop at nothing to kill him. It’s also a snarky callback to what Cassian told John earlier when he said about killing him quickly.
4“It Wasn’t Just a Puppy.”
John Constantly Reinforces That This Whole Carnage Was Because of More Than a Puppy
Every character that comes into contact with John Wick always gets off a snarky comment about how all of this death and all of this destruction is just over a dog, a puppy. Yet, John Wick knows full well that it isn’t just about the puppy, but about what the puppy represents, and how the life he wanted and the grief he felt was left to rot, forcing a good man to evoke scorn across a world he once knew.
It wasn’t just a puppy, and it was never just about a puppy. Those who finally learn why John Wick has comeback into the gamewill either know for good reason or because it’s already too late. The fact that John has killed hundreds over “just a puppy” just shows how much sheer focus he has.
3“Guns. Lots of Guns.”
A Callback to The Matrix, Done With Triumph
The High Table has come for the Continental and its fugitive, John Wick. As such, John states he only needs a small list of things in order tosee the Continental through this dayto embark on a stalemate that will see them victorious: guns. Lots of guns.
On top of just sounding extremely cool, it’s also a great throwback to Keanu Reeves’ iconic role as Neo inThe Matrix(1999), in which he says the exact same line. It sounds great from Reeves, and it just shows how much of an effective killer John Wick truly is that all he needs against trained hitmen is a few rounds and a gun.
2“Those Who Cling to Death; Live.”
A Proverb That Brilliantly Shows John’s Line Between Life and Death
One of the more philosophical quotes of John Wick comes from the Japanese daimyo, Uesugi Kenshin. John paraphrases by saying “Those who cling to death; live.” A quote that has many meanings, but is often interpreted thatdeath is often in their lives, whether it’s their loved ones or those they kill in war, and through that, it is they who live.
Those who wish for death, or often dwell on it far too often, are the ones that stay alive. John clings to death every day as he tries to escape life under the High Table. It’s not until John accomplishes this goal and clings to life, cherishing Helen and the desire to be with her in another life, that he is allowed to pass on.
1“Maybe I’m Wrong.”
Before the longest night of John’s life begins, in which he has until sunrise to meet with Caine and The Marquis de Gramont toduel for his right to live, he enters a church to pay his respect to his departed wife, Helen. John sits in the church, grieving alone for his wife, until he is interrupted by an old friend and a new enemy, Caine.
Caine asks: “You think your wife can hear you?” to which John replies “No.”, and then Caine, also a grieving man with little to no hope says “Well, why bother?” What comes next is perhaps one of the more gentle and heartbreaking lines that sums up John Wick’s character. He hopes that, even if it’s a small chance, he’s wrong, and that Helen can hear him, and that part of hope shows that it’s okay to cling to life.
