Starring: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, Ana de Armas
The legend of the Baba Yaga is resurrected in John Wick: Chapter 5 – The Baba Yaga Rises, a high-octane continuation of the action-thriller saga that promises to escalate the violence, style, and scope of the global underworld. For John Wick, death was the only viable exit from the crushing weight of the High Table’s contract—and so, he took it. But the grave, as this film shockingly reveals, was merely a final, brilliant tactical deception.
The Resurrection and Retribution
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns, operating from the deepest, most inaccessible shadows of the clandestine global criminal network. He is not back to seek peace, or to escape his pursuers; he has risen with a singular, terrifying purpose: to burn the High Table to the ground. Reeves embodies a John Wick who is more stoic, focused, and devastatingly lethal than ever before, his movements precise and his rage absolute.
The cinematic battlefield, however, has fundamentally shifted. The consequences of the previous chapter reverberate across continents, creating new grudges and alliances.
New Forces of Fury
- Akira’s Vengeance: Stepping decisively into the spotlight is Akira (Rina Sawayama), the daughter of the fallen Koji. Driven by a relentless, personal vow of vengeance, Akira is on a furious hunt for Caine (Donnie Yen), the blind assassin responsible for her father’s death. Her fury rivals Wick’s own legendary intensity. Dressed in razor-sharp tactical couture, she transforms the neon-soaked backstreets of Tokyo and the elegant boulevards of Paris into her personal, stylish slaughterhouse, showcasing breathtaking martial arts skill.
- The Ballerina Assassin: A new, unpredictable element enters the game in the form of Rooney (Ana de Armas). She is a deadly ballerina assassin whose motives blur the line between ally and enemy. Rooney brings an elegant, highly kinetic, and equally brutal fighting style to the mix, forcing John to question everyone’s loyalty in his mission to dismantle the established order.
A Masterpiece of Elegance and Chaos
Chapter 5 maintains the franchise’s signature commitment to visual spectacle and impeccable fashion. The suits are blacker, the weapons are bigger, and the overall style is flawless. The film is a true visual masterpiece, combining raw violence with balletic elegance.
Ultimately, The Baba Yaga Rises serves as a stark reminder: you can bury the man, but you cannot bury the myth. The Boogeyman is back, and this time, his rampage is not about survival or self-defense—he’s not just killing them, he’s ending them. The war for the soul of the underworld has truly begun.