5 Ways ‘John Wick’ Aged Poorly (And 5 Ways It Aged Masterfully)

Some movies change with time. This one did too. Parts feel fresh. Other parts feel stuck in the past.

Here are ten clear ways it shows both sides. We switch between the weak spots and the strong ones.

Stereotyped Russian Mob — Aged Poorly

The main villains lean on broad clichés. Heavy accents. Generic “Russian mob” tropes. There is little sense of real culture or depth.

Crime stories today often aim for nuance. This one paints with a wide brush. That choice makes some character beats feel flat now.

Innovative World-Building — Aged Masterfully

The gold coins, hotel rules, and markers built a clean system. The secret society idea is simple and clear.

Many action films copied this structure. It still feels smart and easy to follow. The rules give the story weight.

Thin Roles for Women — Aged Poorly

The wife drives the plot but has little presence. Few women have lines or agency.

Ms. Perkins is a rare standout yet is framed mainly as a twist. The film offers little from a woman’s point of view.

Practical Stunts and Training — Aged Masterfully

The throws, holds, and reloads look practiced. The movement feels learned, not faked.

That hands-on work set a bar for modern action. It still looks sharp because it looks real.

Outdated Phones and UI — Aged Poorly

The phones, texts, and screens show their age. The switchboard vibe reads retro now.

Modern crime groups use encrypted apps and cleaner interfaces. The tech here dates scenes at a glance.

Clean, Readable Action — Aged Masterfully

You can tell where everyone is in a fight. The shots let you see hands, feet, and targets.

That clarity keeps the action tense and fair. Many later movies chased this approach.

Limited Diversity — Aged Poorly

The main cast does not reflect the city on screen. Faces and voices feel narrow for such a big setting.

Later entries broadened the mix, which shows the gap. The first film looks behind the times on this front.

Iconic Visual Style — Aged Masterfully

The cool, high-contrast look still pops. Night scenes are crisp. The palette is bold.

This style shaped action cinema for years. It remains eye-catching on today’s screens.

Casual Mass Violence as Cool — Aged Poorly

The high body count is treated as stylish. There is little space for shock or pause.

Some viewers now seek more moral weight. The tone here can feel cold.

Simple Mythic Story — Aged Masterfully

The motive is clear and strong. Loss, a stolen car, and payback. Everyone understands the stakes.

The code, the rules, and the costs give it a fable feel. That simplicity keeps it timeless.

Share your take: which parts still hit hard, and which feel dated, and why—drop your thoughts in the comments.