Why John Wick: Chapter 2 Has The Franchise's Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Score

Rajiv Sharma

6 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.2

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A Shift in Tone and Pacing

John Wick: Chapter 2 marked a noticeable shift in tone and pacing compared to the original. While these changes were intentional and contributed to the expansion of the John Wick universe, they also alienated some critics and viewers who preferred the more focused and relentless pace of the first film.

More Emphasis on World-Building

The sequel significantly expanded the world-building, introducing the formidable High Table and its intricate web of rules and power dynamics. This detailed exploration of the assassin underworld, while enriching the franchise's lore, slowed down the breakneck pace that characterized the original John Wick.

• Introduction of the High Table: This powerful governing body added layers of complexity to the narrative but also diverted attention from John Wick himself.
• More intricate plotlines: The branching storylines, while intriguing, sometimes felt disjointed, interrupting the momentum of the core narrative.
• Slower pacing compared to the original: The increased focus on exposition and world-building resulted in a pacing that felt less urgent and immediate than the first film's relentless action.

This shift affected the action sequences, which, while still impressive, felt less integrated into the narrative flow compared to the first film's more tightly-paced action. The extended scenes showcasing the vastness of the assassin world sometimes felt like they detracted from the visceral impact of the close-quarters combat that defined the original.

Less Focus on the Core John Wick Narrative

The first John Wick resonated deeply with audiences because of its laser focus on John's personal revenge. Chapter 2, however, introduced several new characters and subplots that, while adding depth to the world, diluted the central focus on John Wick's emotional journey.

• The introduction of new characters like Cassian: While Cassian's character provided a compelling antagonist, he arguably took away some of the spotlight from John Wick himself.
• The expansion of the assassin underworld: While exciting for fans, the expansion meant that the narrative felt less focused on John Wick's personal struggles and motivations.

This shift in focus meant that audiences connected less intimately with John Wick's core motivations, arguably making the emotional stakes lower than in the original film, which captivated viewers with its simple yet emotionally resonant revenge plot.

Increased Complexity and Reduced Intimacy

The sequel aimed for a grander scale, but in doing so, it arguably lost some of the raw intimacy and visceral impact of the original's more contained action sequences.

A Larger Scale, Smaller Impact

While Chapter 2's action sequences were undeniably impressive in their scope and choreography, the sheer scale sometimes detracted from the impact.

• More expansive locations: The shift from the primarily contained settings of the first film to larger, more open locations lessened the feeling of claustrophobic intensity.
• Larger-scale fight choreography: While impressive, the larger fight scenes sometimes lacked the brutal, up-close-and-personal feel of the original's more intimate combat.
• Less focus on close-quarters combat: The signature gun-fu of the original was still present, but the focus shifted slightly, resulting in fewer of those intense, claustrophobic fight sequences.

This change in approach, while visually stunning, may have reduced the visceral impact for some viewers accustomed to the more intimate and brutal fight choreography of the first film. The cinematography, while still excellent, shifted focus, sometimes making the action feel less impactful than its predecessor.

A More Convoluted Plot

Some critics argued that the plot of Chapter 2 was more convoluted and less straightforward than the first film's simple, yet effective, revenge narrative. The introduction of the High Table's complex rules and the interwoven storylines added layers of intrigue but also increased the narrative's complexity.

• The complexities of the High Table's rules: Understanding the High Table's intricate rules and consequences required more viewer effort, potentially distracting from the overall narrative flow.
• Multiple interwoven storylines: The multiple storylines, while adding richness to the world, made it more difficult to maintain a consistent focus on John Wick's central conflict.

This added complexity, while contributing to the world-building, may have made the narrative less accessible and less engaging for some viewers who preferred the more straightforward plot of the original.

Comparative Analysis with Other Franchise Films

To fully understand Chapter 2's lower Rotten Tomatoes score, it's crucial to compare it with other films in the franchise. While Chapter 2 had its issues, later installments have also received some criticism, yet managed to maintain higher Rotten Tomatoes scores. Analyzing the trajectory of the franchise's critical reception helps to contextualize Chapter 2's standing.

The Evolution of the Franchise's Success

• John Wick (2014): The original film established the franchise's core elements—stylish action, compelling protagonist, and a simple yet effective narrative—and enjoyed widespread critical acclaim.
• John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017): As discussed, this film expanded the world but also faced criticism for its pacing and increased complexity, resulting in a lower Rotten Tomatoes score compared to its predecessor.
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): This installment refined the formula, balancing world-building with the core narrative, resulting in a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than Chapter 2.
• John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): The latest film continues the trend of critical success, likely benefiting from lessons learned from the previous installments.

Comparing these scores and considering the critical consensus on each film reveals the franchise's evolution and how Chapter 2 serves as a transitional point, experimenting with expanding the universe, but not perfectly maintaining the balance of its original success. Reviews frequently praise the action sequences across all films, but the narrative focus and pacing are often cited as factors influencing critical reception.

Conclusion

While John Wick: Chapter 2 successfully expanded the world and introduced exciting new elements to the John Wick franchise, it also deviated in tone and pacing from the first film, leading to its lower Rotten Tomatoes score. The increased complexity, the slightly reduced intimacy of the action sequences, and the shift in narrative focus all contributed to this critical difference. The film's attempts at world-building, while ambitious, arguably came at the expense of the tight, impactful narrative that defined the original.

What are your thoughts on John Wick: Chapter 2's Rotten Tomatoes score? Do you agree with the critics? Do you think the shift in tone and scale ultimately harmed the film, or did it contribute to the overall richness of the franchise? Share your opinions and favorite John Wick movie in the comments below! Let's continue the conversation about the John Wick movie franchise and its enduring success.