The Continental: From the World of John Wick Reviews

Loved the show. Amazing prequel with great action.

The pilot was very good and the rest are just getting worse. Then the end was kinda better than the 2nd ep. It goes to 6/10

Yeah, no, I don't know if this was a take on "strong independent women," but the women (except for Yen, and maybe the assassin twin) SUCKED, and I mean were written awfully, just terrible.
Except for the first 10 mins of E1, nothing special happened, just such a bland show

The Continental: From the World of John Wick, or simply The Continental, is a 2023 American neo-noir crime-action drama television miniseries developed by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons. Serving as a spin-off and prequel to the wildly popular John Wick franchise, the series plunges viewers into an alternate history 1970s, tracing the origins of how a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) came to assume proprietorship of the iconic New York Continental hotel, a hallowed safe haven for assassins. Directed by Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström, and starring Colin Woodell alongside Mel Gibson, the show promises to expand the intricate lore of the John Wick universe. My initial reaction was one of eager anticipation, keen to delve deeper into the origins of such a fascinating world. My overall impression is that The Continental is a stylish and ambitious series that successfully captures some of the franchise's signature flair, but often struggles with narrative coherence and uneven pacing, making it a mixed, though generally enjoyable, watch.

Rating:
7.2/10 ⭐️ (★★★½ - Great)
A great rating for a series that excels in its world-building, action sequences, and the stylish recreation of a unique era, but is hampered by a convoluted plot and some uneven performances that prevent it from reaching the heights of its cinematic predecessors.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The premise itself is a compelling strength: exploring the backstory of the Continental Hotel and its key players, particularly Winston Scott and Charon, in a tumultuous 1970s New York. The series delves into the political machinations of the underworld, the High Table, and the nuanced rules of the assassin world, offering a rich expansion of the established lore. The motivation behind Winston's fight to claim the Continental, driven by his brother Frankie's actions, provides a solid emotional core for the initial episodes. The incorporation of real-world historical context (like the 1970s New York grit) into the fictional world adds an interesting layer.
* Characters (Strengths): Colin Woodell delivers a commendable performance as the young Winston Scott, capturing the sophisticated demeanor and sharp intellect that hint at the older character we know. His portrayal is charismatic and holds the viewer's attention. Ayomide Adegun is excellent as the young Charon, embodying the dignified and loyal persona that fans cherish. Ben Robson as Frankie Scott brings a compelling blend of recklessness and loyalty. Jessica Allain as Lou Burton offers a unique fighting style and a grounding moral compass amidst the chaos. The series effectively introduces a memorable rogues' gallery, including the terrifying "Twins" (Mark Musashi and Marina Mazepa).
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): The directorial choices by Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström are largely strong, especially in crafting the series' visual aesthetic. The show successfully recreates the grimy, yet vibrant, feel of 1970s New York, from the fashion to the gritty streets. The cinematography by Pål Ulvik Rokseth and Peter Deming is stylish and appealing, capturing the neo-noir atmosphere beautifully. The action sequences are a definite highlight; they are well-choreographed, brutal, and kinetic, paying homage to the John Wick films' signature gun-fu and hand-to-hand combat, even if not quite reaching the same level of intensity.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The production design is outstanding, meticulously recreating the 1970s period with authentic details, from the cars to the interiors of the Continental. The soundtrack, featuring the opening theme “Hard Times” by Baby Huey & the Babysitters and other period-appropriate tracks, perfectly captures the era's vibe. Raffertie was revealed to be composing the score for the series, which effectively underlines the dramatic and action beats. The costume design is also notable for its period accuracy and flair. The editing by Ron Rosen and Steven Lang, particularly during action set pieces, is sharp and impactful.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: For fans of the John Wick franchise, The Continental offers a fascinating dive into the origins of its iconic underworld. The action sequences are a major draw, providing the visceral thrills expected. The exploration of familiar characters in their younger days and the expansion of the High Table's intricate rules keep the viewer engaged with the lore. The series is undeniably stylish and offers a unique visual experience.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While the premise is strong, the narrative often feels convoluted and stretched over three 90-minute episodes. The central conflict between Winston and Cormac, while driving the plot, sometimes loses focus amidst numerous subplots and character introductions. The pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed and others dragging, particularly in the middle episode. The overall plot sometimes struggles to justify its length, feeling like a stretched film rather than a tightly constructed miniseries.
* Characters (Weaknesses): Mel Gibson's performance as Cormac O'Connor is polarizing. While he brings a certain menace, his portrayal often feels one-dimensional and over-the-top, lacking the nuanced villainy seen in the main franchise. Some supporting characters, despite their potential, are not fully developed, and their motivations can be unclear. The romantic subplot between Winston and KD feels a bit forced and underdeveloped, undermining its emotional impact.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Weaknesses): While the action is largely good, it occasionally suffers from a lack of creativity compared to the John Wick films, sometimes relying on brute force over inventive choreography. The stylistic choices, while impressive, can sometimes overshadow the emotional core of the story.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The series' narrative flaws and inconsistent pacing can lead to moments of disengagement. Viewers expecting the relentless, tightly choreographed action of the main films might find the series' more expansive narrative a bit slow. The show's reliance on familiar tropes, despite its prequel setting, can also make some developments predictable.

The Verdict:
The Continental: From the World of John Wick is a stylish and ambitious prequel that offers a fascinating, albeit imperfect, look into the origins of the beloved assassin hotel. It excels in its period recreation, vibrant action, and the strong performances of Colin Woodell and Ayomide Adegun. However, a convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and a polarizing villain prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While it doesn't quite hit the heights of the John Wick films, it's an enjoyable and worthwhile watch for fans of the franchise eager to delve deeper into its intricate lore and for those who appreciate stylish neo-noir action.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The miniseries effectively blends action thriller and crime drama with strong neo-noir elements. The tone is gritty, stylish, and often violent, maintaining a dark undercurrent typical of the John Wick universe, while also embracing the aesthetics of the 1970s.
* Target Audience: It primarily targets fans of the John Wick franchise eager for more lore and action, as well as audiences who appreciate stylish period crime dramas and high-octane action.
* Originality & Innovation: While a prequel, the series attempts to innovate by expanding on the established world and characters, particularly showcasing the 1970s era. Its innovation lies in its visual storytelling and detailed world-building, rather than a completely fresh narrative.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The series explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, family (both blood and chosen), power struggles within a criminal underworld, and the origins of the intricate code that governs the assassin world. It also touches upon the American Dream and the pursuit of power.
* Comparison to Other Films: It inevitably draws comparisons to the John Wick films, which it struggles to fully match in terms of relentless action and narrative tightness. It also shares stylistic similarities with other neo-noir works set in gritty urban environments and could be compared to crime dramas focused on organized crime and power dynamics, albeit with a unique fantastical twist.

I couldn’t get into this, hence the meh rating - stopped after ep 2

I like Katie McGrath? 😭

Winston sigma

Soundtrack was the best part

This is somewhere between a meh and a like for me. It didn’t get me excited but I didn’t hate it. Nothing too amazing that I want to tell people about it. Love the John Wick movies but this just wasn’t the same.

Someone tell me if this is good? I have no interest in watching it. After John wick 4, it was such a good ending, I have no interest in returning to this “world”

There was too much going on that made it hard to follow with the characters and their sub plots. It’s hard to see them in a John Wick prequel say, oh yes people get killed at the Continental all the time after making such a huge deal for a few movies making it seem like it’s rare

It was decent but I think I would want a spin off in the present time instead of the past.

I just can’t get into this show. I will watch the 3rd installment but this was disappointing.

Awesome action just fell short of the source material and Mel’s character just didn’t seem as grand as he should have

Whatever just happy it’s out of my queue

(7/12/26-7/13/26)
I liked it! It was shot HORRIBLY like was there even a lighting department on set? But hey I thought it was a good story to action balance

❤️

banger soundtrack, banger show; zero misses truly

I’m heavily into John Wick so naturally this show was icing on the cake. I am a sucker for a prequel if done right, and I’ll say this show did a decent job and it was very awesome to see Winstons rise to power.

Banger soundtrack.