Top 10 Times John Wick Went Beast Mode

“John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)
This beloved sequel sees Santino putting a hit on John Wick for the sum of $7 million. Many people are dumb enough to take the offer, which is unfortunate. For them, that is - not Wick, of course. Thus commences a brutal montage depicting countless hitmen attempting to kill John, including a sumo. Naturally, he is able to get the upper hand on every single one of them - even after being shot multiple times by a violin-playing assassin. The best fight of them all sees John taking on two goons using nothing but a pencil. It is violent stuff, but it also proves the sheer creativity and adaptability of Mr. Wick.

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
The third entry in the “John Wick” series sees The Adjudicator using a Japanese assassin named Zero to kill John and Winston. Zero’s pupils are known as the Shinobi, and they engage in a terrific martial arts fight with John. John is equipped with nothing but his leather belt and hands, whereas the Shinobi wield various knives. It’s no matter. John tosses the Shinobi around the room like they’re ragdolls before suplexing them through the glass floor. It’s an incredible fight scene, proving that Wick is just as capable with his hands (and belt) as he is with a gun.

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
“Chapter 3” opens in spectacular fashion, complete with a… horse chase through the streets of New York? Sure, why not! After being labeled excommunicado, John is forced to fight various assassins inside a horse stable. He makes great use of his surroundings - even the horses themselves - to emerge victorious. He then engages two motorcycle riders on a chase through the streets of the Big Apple, only to send them careening into vehicles. We bet that fans never thought they’d see John Wick using a horse to kill people. Then again, the first two movies didn’t feature horses. Is there anything this man can’t, or won’t, use as a weapon?

“John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)
After meeting the Bowery King, John is directed towards an art museum in the hopes of finding Santino. Find Santino he does, and it results in a gunfight for the ages. John begins the battle with seven headshots in rapid succession before stealing a goon’s gun and delivering even more damage. The ensuing gunfight sees John throwing himself down a flight of stairs, tossing empty guns at people’s heads, shooting opponents through walls, and mowing down dozens upon dozens of nameless gunmen. Also taking place at the museum is the visually stunning mirror scene in which Wick faces off against Santino’s security enforcer, played by Ruby Rose. The entire museum sequence is sheer and unrelenting action, and it was at about this time that fans saw the full extent of how unstoppable John could be.

“John Wick” (2014)
The first “John Wick” film might seem tame when compared to its successors, but it still contains its fair share of beast mode Wick. After learning of Iosef’s location through his father, Viggo, John storms the compound using a garrote and sniper rifle. He takes out numerous bodyguards with the rifle, blows up their escape vehicles, and shoots Iosef in the stomach. Then, he simply strolls up to Iosef in what’s arguably the most badass slow motion walk ever captured on film before executing him mid-sentence. This is John at his most strategic, planning out Iosef’s murder to absolute perfection. It’s also John at his most vengeful, as evidenced by the cold glare he gives to Iosef’s corpse.

“John Wick” (2014)
With the help of Winston, John learns that Viggo is escaping the city via New York Harbor. John travels to the harbor and disengages Viggo’s SUV. He uses his car and gun to dispose of various goons before engaging with Viggo himself. This confrontation sees John at one of his most badass, as he allows himself to be stabbed in the gut just so he can break Viggo’s arm, take the knife out of his stomach, and use it against Viggo. Now that takes true dedication, and it proves just how far John is willing to go to gain the upper hand. This is why it’s unlikely no one will ever defeat him.

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
The beginning of “John Wick 3” consists of non-stop action. Aside from the aforementioned horse fight, the movie also contains a stellar sequence inside an antiques shop. John is accosted by various assassins, most of whom are smashed into glass displays filled with weapons. Things get even better once antique knives are brought into the equation. Dozens of knives whiz through the air and into various body parts, and John is even able to disarm one killer by throwing a knife into his wrist. It’s one of the most extreme fights in the “John Wick” series, complete with some savage kills and injuries. By the third movie, John most assuredly was not messing around.

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
After meeting with the Elder, John vows to kill Winston and is allowed to return to New York. However, John refuses to follow through, and the Continental is proclaimed “deconsecrated” by the Adjudicator. Zero and High Table accomplices storm the hotel, leading to an all-out war. Winston throws on some classical music while John gets to work, effortlessly gunning down dozens of High Table enforcers. Despite being heavily armed and armored, the High Table is no match for John’s expertise and relentless attacks. John is quite legitimately a one-man army throughout the exciting sequence, and watching him work is a thing of beauty.

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
John goes to Casablanca seeking help from ex-friend and ex-assassin, Sofia. She grudgingly brings him to meet her ex-boss, where Berrada shoots one of Sofia’s dogs after she refuses to hand it over. Sofia in turn wounds Berrada, kickstarting what’s arguably the biggest shootout of the entire series so far. Countless goons accost both John and Sofia, but they are able to overcome Berrada’s forces with the help of Sofia’s dogs and some expert shooting. This is like watching someone play a video game with the invincibility cheat on, as neither John or Sofia are seriously wounded - or even hit, for that matter. The closest John gets to being hit is the little reload break, but even then, he’s able to reload his weapon faster than his opponents can and take them out.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

John vs. Ms. Perkins, “John Wick” (2014)
John Defeats Perkins in a Hand-to-Hand Following a Sneak Attack

Mustang Chase, “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)
John Tears Through Tarasov’s Men with His Mustang

Catacomb Gunfight, “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)
John Does His Thing Against Santino’s Enforcers

John vs. Zero, “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
John One-Ups His Self-Proclaimed Admirer in the Glass Room

Library Attack, “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” (2019)
John Breaks Ernest’s Neck with a Book

“John Wick” (2014)
The nightclub shootout sees the hitman at his typically unstoppable self, but this action sequence holds a special place within the “John Wick” series. For one thing, this was the first time that viewers got a real glimpse of what an unyielding force of nature John was: plowing through dozens of bodyguards without breaking a sweat. It was certainly an eye-opener, and it established John as a true professional/killing machine. Furthermore, it also saw John at his most dedicated and ticked off, as he storms through the Red Circle in the hopes of reaching Iosef and avenging his poor dog. This scene shows an angry man on a mission, showcasing John at peak beast mode.