Anticipation forJohn Wick: Chapter 4continues to build, with moviegoers eager for the next chapter in Lionsgate’s action thriller saga. Fans will soon have a chance to get an early look at the fourth installment in the series, asVarietyhas reported thatJohn Wick: Chapter 4will screen at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.
Sources told Variety that the film will be screened at the upcoming festival, which will be held from March 10 to June 01, 2025. Neither Lionsgate nor SXSW would comment on the screening, likely in an attempt to preserve the moviegoing experience. However, it is known thatJohn Wick: Chapter 4will be SXSW’s ‘secret screening’ this year—a film not listed in the festival’s official program to generate buzz and hype about the project. It is unknown how many tickets will be available for the screening, and while the details on grabbing a seat are unclear, sources said that the process will involve some type of digital marketing.Collider editor-in-chiefSteve Weintraubreportedthat both thefilm’s starKeanu Reevesand directorChad Stahelskiare likely to be in attendance, and said he was “95% sure they will be there to introduce the movie or do a Q&A after.”
WhileJohn Wick: Chapter 4’ssecret screening is clearly a promotion for the film, it’s been generating plenty of anticipation on its own. A synopsis says that the filmwill see Reevesback in action as the titular John Wick, as he “takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever-increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.” The film will feature a number of returning characters from the previous installments, includingLaurence Fishburne, Ian McShane,andLance Reddick.A number of new A-listers have joined the cast as well, includingDonnie YenandBill Skarsgård.Director Stahelski is also producing alongsideBasil IwanykandErica Lee.
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WhileJohn Wick: Chapter 4had its world premiere in London in early March, the SXSW event will mark the film’s first domestic screening. TheJohn Wickseries has previously grossed nearly $600 million at the worldwide box office, and the fourth installment is currently tracking to have a domestic debut of around $60 to $70 million, which would be the best opening of the franchise so far. Lionsgate is no stranger to unveiling big films at SXSW, as last year’s festival saw the studio premiereTom Gormican’saction comedy filmThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,starringNicolas Cageas a fictionalized version of himself alongsidePedro Pascal.
Early reactions toJohn Wick: Chapter 4have heaped significant praise on the film, with some calling it the best in the series.Weintraub called the film"f**cking awesome," adding that he “had to pick my jaw off the ground from some of the insane and inventive set pieces.” This sentiment was shared by Collider features editorTherese Lacson,who said the filmwas “an action-packed, bloody, kill-fest, and that’s what makes it good!”
John Wick: Chapter 4will be released in theatersby Lionsgate on July 13, 2025. Collider’s interview with Reeves about the film can be seen below:
