“John Wick Chapter 4” officially bows at its London premiere on Monday night, with the social media reactions embargo lifted during the premiere.

The fourth installment picks up following the end of “John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” which saw Keanu Reeves’ notorious assassin fall from on top of the Continental Hotel after being betrayed by his friend Winston (Ian McShane). In all likelihood, Wick lives. “Chapter 4” uncovers the infamous pariah traveling the globe to free himself from the oppression of the devious high-powered, ruthless High Table.

The critically-acclaimed action film has drawn strong praise in the first round of reviews particularly for its extensive list of partners in the fight that includes Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, Marko Zazor, Scott Adkins and Rina Sawayama. Another central topic of opinion is the film’s runtime that is 2 hours and 49 minutes38 minutes longer than the previous installment’s.

Los Angeles Times critic Katie Walsh liked the film and praised its cinematic style as a step above other blockbusters of the franchise. The critic also noted the one aspect she disliked about the film: “Because it’s dumb.”

Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub had nothing but praise for the film. He also indicated that Reeves gets up to some shady things using a dragon’s breath shotgun.

CinemaBlend Critic Eric Eisenberg expressed some reservations about the film’s daunting duration. However, he says that this film “earns it” through “smart pace” and strong set pieces.

John Wick: Chapter 4 director and franchise creator Chad Stahelski explains why he would like to take a break from the series before working on the next installment. Stahelski started the career path in Hollywood as a stuntman before working with the star Keanu Reeves to make 2013’s John Wick. Stahelski will co-direct the film along with David Leitch, before solely helming the following three sequels following John Wick was a surprise financial and critical success.

A conversation with /Film, Stahelski speaks about the future of the action franchise in advance of John Wick: Chapter 4’s theatrical release, where he states that he believes that he needs to step away from the series before continuing the Wick story. At the same time director Stahelski has said that he may not direct a John Wick 5, declaring, “I’m always saying, ‘This is my last one, this will never ever happen again.’ And I’ll say that now this is my final one.” In terms of why he believes a break is necessary, Stahelski says:

While Stahelski is hoping to get away from John Wick’s journey through the criminal underground The franchise is set to expand further with the new Ana de Armas-led spin-off Ballerina. Set in the time between John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina explores the story of de Armas’ Rooney, who sets out on her own journey to seek revenge against her family’s killers. In John Wick Chapter 4 movie , de Armas is taking over the role of Unity Phelan, Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Anjelica Huston will all reprise their roles from previous installments of the series.

Following his efforts on John Wick: Chapter 4 and the other chapters in the franchise, Stahelski is set to utilize his talents as a director to new worlds that go beyond the gunplay high stakes of Reeves the master assassin. In 2021, Stahelski signed on to create a film adaptation of Ghosts of Tsushima which is the cult 2020 PlayStation game in which a samurai defends the isle of Tsushima in the first Mongol assault on Japan. The director will also create a new version for the Highlander franchise in 2021, with Stahelski stated that he had a vision of his take on the war between immortals as an entire trilogy of films.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is one of 2023’s highly anticipated releases. In this regard, although there may be disappointment about the possibility of a break between films, it’s obvious that the reasons given by Stahelski could prove beneficial to future films. Furthermore, with the director’s upcoming projects converting swords with guns the lessons Stahelski teaches with Ghosts of Tsushima and Highlander will allow for exciting fight scenes in the future films.