You know that feeling you get while you watch your favored action hero kicking butt and taking names on the big screen? The rush of adrenaline you revel in seeing Keanu Reeves’ John Wick pull off epic stunts and fight scenes that leave your jaw on the floor? There are maybe a few fascinating psychology and science behind our love for action movies that light up our brains like the neon-drenched streets of a John Wick thrill ride.
The Appeal of Action Movies Like John Wick
There is simply something about action films like John Wick that gets our adrenaline pumping. Maybe it’s the fast-paced combat scenes, explosions and stunts that keep us on the edge of our seats. Or possibly it’s seeing the hero take down countless bad guys that makes us sense like we are right there inside the motion.
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- Escapism and wish fulfillment
For more than one hour, action movies transport us right into a world of exhilaration and journey, letting us get away from our ordinary problems. We get to experience the joys of the chase and witness mind-blowing stunts except for any actual danger. At the same time, we project ourselves onto characters like John Wick and consider what it would be want to possess their skills and braveness.
- Underdogs and justice
Action heroes like John Wick are underdogs we are able to root for. Even though the odds seem stacked against them, they never give up. We cheer them on to overcome each obstacle and defeat the villain. Along the way, the hero fights for justice and revenge, taking down evil enemies who deserve their comeuppance. This ultimately leaves us with a feeling of good winning over evil.
- A visual spectacle
Finally, action movies are highly entertaining because they’re visual spectacles, meant to dazzle our senses. Everything from the stylish cinematography to the perfectly choreographed action set pieces is crafted for optimum effect. The pounding soundtrack, flashes of gunfire and explosions – it’s a full-on attack on our senses that gets our hearts pounding. No surprise action flicks like John Wick are so irresistible! They thrill us with nonstop action and adventure.
Why We Can’t Get Enough of Non-Stop Adrenaline Rushes
You know that rush you get while an action-packed film like John Wick starts revving up? Your heart begins to pound, your muscles demanding, and you are on the edge of your seat ready to peer at what occurs next. It truly is the fun of an adrenaline rush, and it is why we can’t get enough of action movies.
Adrenaline is the hormone responsible for our fight or flight reaction, and when it surges, it gives us an energy improvement and intensifies our senses. Although we are just sitting on the sofa, our bodies react as if we’re dodging bullets or engaging in high-speed vehicle chases. That physiological reaction translates into an emotional thrill.
Action movies may be unrealistic, however they tap into very real psychological desires and needs. By activating our adrenaline and dopamine responses in a secure way, they offer pleasure, escape, and shared feelings of overcoming adversity against all odds. As long as filmmakers keep turning in the action, we will keep coming back for more.
5 More Must-See Action Movies for Fans of John Wick
The Matrix
The sci-fi action classic starring Keanu Reeves absolutely positioned him on the map as an action megastar. Like John Wick, Reeves performs as a seemingly ordinary man who turns out to have extraordinary capabilities. The innovative special effects and mind-bending tale will leave you awestruck.
Parker
Jason Statham stars as a professional thief in search of revenge towards his former team. It has the same traumatic action sequences and cat-and-mouse intrigue which you love in the John Wick films. Statham is always a dependable action hero, doing a lot of his personal stunts.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Tom Cruise reprises his role as Jack Reacher, a former army officer who now works as a vigilante. This movie is filled with risky fistfights, shootouts and chase scenes to get your adrenaline pumping. Cruise brings depth and physicality to the position that rivals Keanu Reeves’ overall performance in John Wick.
Nobody
Bob Odenkirk transforms into an unlikely action hero in this thriller. Like John Wick, Odenkirk’s character is a person with a mysterious and dangerous past who comes back to find him. Gritty fight scenes and Odenkirk’s overall performance will surprise you. It has a similar darkly comedic tone that subverts the same old action film tropes.
Faster
After 10 years in jail, Driver (Dwayne Johnson) is out for retaliation towards the people who double-crossed him. This high-power thrill ride is loaded up with over-the-top car chases, brutal fights and plot twists to hold you guessing. Just like the John Wick movies, it features a protagonist who’s nearly unstoppable on his assignment for retribution. The Rock gives one of his most compelling performances in an action role. Follow Spacemov for more!