Introduction

A film genre is a motion picture category based on similarities in either the narrative elements or the emotional response to the film. Most theories of film genre are borrowed from literary genre criticism. Every film is categorised into a specific genre and every genre contains a set of codes and conventions which hold value to the theme. Over decades films have blurred every boundary when it comes to characterisation and fulfilment of conventions for some genres. One film that breaks this idea is the “John Wick” franchise. It is a true pure action based plot that adapts action genre convention throughout the entire storyline. Not only the narrative is typical, but also everything from the use of cinematography to the mise-en-scene of every location and setting. In this essay I will discuss to what extent does “John Wick” adapt and reinforce the importance of action genre values and how change and development is crucial to the health and evolution of the action genre. In addition, I will also confirm whether some theories from key figures in the film industry had any impact on the direction the action genre is moving towards.