John Wick Franchise: Why Chapter 4's Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Surprisingly Low

Kenji Nakamura

5 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.8

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Critical Consensus and its Potential Biases

The critical consensus surrounding John Wick: Chapter 4, reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes score, reveals a more nuanced perspective than the widespread audience enthusiasm suggests. Several factors might contribute to this divergence.

Over-saturation of Action Subgenres

The action movie landscape is currently brimming with releases, potentially leading to critic fatigue. The sheer volume of similar films vying for attention could result in a diminished appreciation for even high-quality entries like John Wick: Chapter 4.

• Examples: Recent releases like The Expendables 4, various Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and other action-packed releases all compete for critical attention, potentially leading to a sense of "action movie burnout."
• Critical Burnout: Critics, like any audience, can experience fatigue from repeated exposure to similar themes and styles. This could lead to harsher judgments, regardless of the film's individual merits.
• Recurring Criticisms: While many critics praised the action choreography, some recurring criticisms centered on the plot's complexity and pacing, not necessarily the action sequences themselves.

High Expectations and the "Law of Diminishing Returns"

The previous John Wick films enjoyed overwhelmingly positive critical reception, setting a remarkably high bar for Chapter 4. This success might have inadvertently led to harsher criticism, a manifestation of the "law of diminishing returns."

• Rotten Tomatoes Score Comparison: Previous John Wick films boast significantly higher Rotten Tomatoes scores, creating an expectation that Chapter 4 needed to surpass or, at minimum, maintain this level of critical acclaim.
• Pre-release Hype: The significant pre-release buzz surrounding John Wick: Chapter 4 might have contributed to heightened expectations, making it harder for the film to meet the anticipated level of excellence in the eyes of some critics.
• Innovation vs. Repetition: Some critics felt that Chapter 4, while excellent, lacked the innovative spark of its predecessors, leading to a perception of formulaic storytelling, despite the undeniable skill in the action choreography and performances.

The Audience vs. Critics Divide

The stark contrast between the audience score and the critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes for John Wick: Chapter 4 is perhaps the most striking aspect of this debate.

Audience Score vs. Critics' Score

• Exact Numbers: While the specific numbers fluctuate slightly, a significant difference consistently persists—a considerably higher audience score compared to the critics' score. This vast discrepancy demands further investigation.
• Divergent Expectations: Audiences might prioritize pure entertainment and action spectacle, while critics often analyze narrative structure, character development, and thematic depth more critically. This difference in focus contributes to contrasting views.
• Appreciation of Different Aspects: Audiences might place more value on the film's visceral action sequences and the captivating performances, while critics might find the plot's complexities or character arcs lacking.

Impact of Fanbase and Pre-existing Loyalty

The John Wick franchise boasts a fiercely dedicated and passionate fanbase. This loyal following may significantly inflate the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, contributing to the gap between audience and critic perception.

• Strong Fanbases: Many successful franchises, like Star Wars or Marvel, experience a similar phenomenon—intense fan loyalty heavily influencing audience scores.
• Social Media Buzz: The positive social media buzz surrounding the film, fueled by enthusiastic fans, likely plays a role in driving up the audience score.
• Legitimate Appreciation: However, the high audience score isn't solely due to blind loyalty. Many viewers genuinely appreciated the film's action, spectacle, and Reeves' performance, contributing to a largely positive reception independent of pre-existing fandom.

Specific Critical Arguments against John Wick: Chapter 4

While the audience overwhelmingly enjoyed John Wick: Chapter 4, some critics highlighted specific aspects of the film that contributed to its lower score.

Length and Pacing Issues

The film's considerable runtime and pacing were frequent points of criticism.

• Complaints about Pacing: Several reviews mentioned moments of sluggish pacing or a feeling that the film could have benefited from a tighter edit.
• Length as a Factor: The extended runtime, while providing ample action, also drew criticism for potentially impacting the overall pacing and narrative flow.
• Validity of Criticisms: While some viewers found the length immersive, critics' concerns about pacing suggest a valid point of contention impacting the overall viewing experience for some.

Narrative Structure and Character Development

Another area of critical contention focused on narrative complexities and character development.

• Negative Feedback on Plot Points: Specific plot points were criticized for feeling convoluted or lacking sufficient explanation.
• Lack of Emotional Depth: Some critics felt the film lacked the emotional depth seen in previous installments, focusing more on the action sequences at the expense of character development.
• Subgenre Conventions: It's important to note that a certain level of narrative streamlining is common in action films of this subgenre; the criticisms, however, point to potential shortcomings in achieving a compelling balance between action and narrative depth.

Conclusion: Understanding the John Wick Chapter 4 Rotten Tomatoes Score Debate

The discrepancy between the John Wick Chapter 4 Rotten Tomatoes score and its overall positive reception stems from a confluence of factors. Critic fatigue within the action subgenre, high expectations set by previous installments, and a focus on narrative elements that might overshadow the spectacular action sequences all contribute to the lower critical score. Conversely, the overwhelmingly positive audience reaction reflects a strong preference for pure entertainment and appreciation of the film's action and performances. Ultimately, this debate highlights the subjective nature of film criticism and the often-divergent perspectives between critics and audiences. Watch John Wick: Chapter 4 for yourself and share your thoughts on the John Wick Chapter 4 Rotten Tomatoes score debate in the comments below or on social media! Let's discuss the impact of critical reviews versus audience reactions on the success of an action film.