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John Wick: Chapter 2

John Wick: Chapter 2 is a 2017 American neo-noir action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

John Wick: Chapter 2 is a 2017 American neo-noir action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad. It is the sequel to John Wick (2014) and stars Keanu Reeves as the retired hitman John Wick, who is forced back into the criminal underworld after a blood oath is called in.

Plot

After trying to return to retirement, John Wick is pulled back into the criminal world when a blood oath obliges him to carry out a task for crime lord Santino D'Antonio. The assignment takes him to Rome and places a target on his life.

Production

John Wick: Chapter 2 was directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad. It continues the story established in the 2014 film and expands the franchise’s assassin-world mythology.

Release

The film premiered in January 2017 and was released in the United States on 10 February 2017. It was distributed by Lionsgate.

Cast and characters

Keanu Reeves reprises his role as John Wick, while Riccardo Scamarcio plays Santino D'Antonio. The cast also includes Common, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Bridget Moynahan, and Lance Reddick.

Key facts

  • John Wick: Chapter 2 is a 2017 American neo-noir action-thriller film.
  • It is the sequel to John Wick (2014) and the second film in the franchise.
  • Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick, who is forced back into the assassin underworld by a blood oath.
  • The film was released in the United States on 10 February 2017.
  • The story takes Wick to Rome, where he confronts multiple assassins.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in Canada as part of the international release of a major Hollywood franchise, and it contributed to the popularity of Keanu Reeves, a Canadian actor.

Frequently asked questions

What is John Wick: Chapter 2?
It is a 2017 American action-thriller film and the sequel to John Wick (2014).
Who directed John Wick: Chapter 2?
Chad Stahelski directed the film.
Who stars as John Wick?
Keanu Reeves stars as John Wick.
What is the film about?
John Wick is forced back into the assassin underworld when a blood oath compels him to work for Santino D'Antonio.
When was it released?
It was released in the United States on 10 February 2017.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wick:_Chapter_2
    Supports: Basic film identification, sequel status, and plot premise.
  2. AllMovie — https://www.allmovie.com/movie/john-wick-chapter-2-am24902
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, genre, and plot overview.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4425200/
    Supports: Release year, cast, sequel context, and general reception summary.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/john-wick-chapter-2/umc.cmc.dwfq3iu2xmm7lkzh4ao9cxpp
    Supports: Runtime, cast, director, and plot synopsis.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john_wick_chapter_2
    Supports: Plot synopsis and sequel context.
  6. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m13348/john-wick-2
    Supports: Release date and distribution timing.