John Wick spreads fear and terror among his enemies. In the four films, the character has earned a nickname that was chosen very deliberately. What is behind it?
Keanu Reeves, as John Wick, is a sight to behold, even though he was not originally intended for the role. Long black hair, a matching black suit, a gun at the ready, always prepared to take down his opponents. Through his precise way of fighting, he has earned a reputation that has even given him a nickname.
We are talking about “Baba Yaga.” That is what he was called during his time working for the Russian mafia. The nickname is not without reason, but refers to an old Slavic myth that is still told today.
A witch who brings life and death
Who is Baba Yaga? The figure appears in Slavic mythology and is still very well known today. It refers to a witch, as she appears in fairy tales here, and in some interpretations, she likes to snack on children. However, the origin is older. Baba Yaga is actually not inherently an evil being, but is derived from the Slavic goddess Mokosh, who brings both life and death.
In some depictions, Baba Yaga lives in the forest in a magical hut that walks around on chicken legs. This is how she is portrayed in the game Reka, where you work for her as a young student.
What does this have to do with John Wick? Keanu Reeves’ character travels the world spreading terror. He decides, just like the witch, whether someone lives or dies and seems unstoppable. John Wick also has clear connections to Russia.
Just like the witch, it is never quite clear if he is purely a good figure – because although Wick strives for justice, he can be very brutal against his opponents. However, you can turn to him if you need help.
For his enemies, it holds true: John Wick is just as dangerous as Baba Yaga, as long as you maintain enough distance. All of this likely led those enemies, as well as his allies, to eventually give him this nickname.
Therefore, John Wick cannot perform magic yet. His weapons of choice are primarily pistols. With them, he has shot his way through four films of a franchise that has grown impressively since the first film. Initially, this film was supposed to have a different name: Due to Keanu Reeves, the film series was named “John Wick.”
