Keanu Reeves in “Wick is Pain.”
Lionsgate
Wick is Pain, a documentary film about the John Wick franchise featuring Keanu Reeves and several principals involved in the productions, is coming soon to Netflix.
Wick is Pain was first released on streaming via premium video on demand on May 9. The summary for the documentary reads, “Wick is Pain is the incredible true story behind the John Wick franchise, starring Keanu Reeves. What began as an independent film —facing numerous obstacles, including financing challenges — quickly evolved into a global phenomenon that redefined the action genre and launched three megahit sequels.
“Join Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski and the extended Wick cast and crew as they go behind the scenes of this billion-dollar franchise that almost never happened.”
Wick is Pain also features John Wick franchise stars Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Common, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Scott Adkins and Anjelica Huston, and producers David Leitch, Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, among others.
Directed by Jeffrey Doe, Wick is Pain is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on Saturday, Nov. 1, a new listing on the platform indicates.
Netflix offers an ad-based package for $7.99 per month for viewing on two supported devices, as well as an ad-free package for $17.99 per month for two supported devices. In addition, the platform offers an ad-free package for $24.99 per month for four supported devices with 4K Ultra HD programming.
Disclaimer: The trailer below for “Wick is Pain” includes swearing.
How Did Critics Receive ‘Wick Is Pain’?
Wick is Pain received a 100% “fresh” rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on 15 reviews.
Aiden Kelly of Collider is among the critics on RT who gives Wick is Pain a “fresh” review, writing, “Fresh score. “It’s an unprecedented dynasty that has maintained an equally unprecedented high level of quality, and this undeniably impressive rise to power is documented marvelously in the new documentary, Wick Is Pain.”
Bradley Gibson of Film Threat also gives Wick is Pain a “fresh” review, noting how director Jeffrey Doe “gives us a brilliant document of the risks and rewards of the John Wick series.”
In her “fresh” review summary of the film on RT, Beth Accomando of KPBS.org notes, “The only real shortcoming of the documentary is that it never asks Stahelski about the influence of silent film comedians — people he calls the first stuntmen — and never asks him to really delve into his cinematic style.”
An unrated film, Wick is Pain is new on Netflix on Saturday.