Ranking Every Villain from the John Wick Movies

John Wick has encountered numerous adversaries throughout his cinematic journey. While many of them fade into the background as mere targets for his exceptional skills as the Baba Yaga, several villains have made a significant impact, directly fueling the gunfights and choreographed mayhem that fans have come to love in the John Wick saga.

The most memorable villains in the John Wick franchise are those who are unafraid to confront the Baba Yaga. These foes are willing to engage him and take away what he cherishes in their pursuit of power within the High Table. Those who choose to challenge John Wick must be prepared to face the dire repercussions of their actions. Let’s revisit some of his most formidable enemies.

11 Ms. Perkins

A Contract Killer Who Defied the Continental to Take Down John Wick

Portrayed by: Adrianne Palicki
Featured in: John Wick (2014)

Though a secondary antagonist, Ms. Perkins exemplifies the greed and fallibility that can exist even among the most experienced assassins. She breaks the Continental’s sacred rules by attempting to eliminate John Wick on its premises. Her death does not overshadow the danger she represents in a world teeming with lethal characters.

Ms. Perkins delivered a fierce confrontation in Wick’s hotel room and later attempted a second assassination despite being restrained. Her ambition for Viggo’s $2 million bounty ultimately led her to betray her principles as a dedicated assassin.

10 Ares

The Silent Bodyguard of Santino D’Antonio

Portrayed by: Ruby Rose
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Ares stands as a true enigma in the John Wick universe, known primarily for her unwavering loyalty to crime lord Santino D’Antonio. Even without uttering a word, her presence is commanding and evokes fear, delivered through subtle gestures and swift gunfire. She engages John Wick in a formidable battle but ultimately cannot defeat him.

Ares embodies her namesake, the Greek God of War, leading Santino’s forces in conflict against Wick, though she ultimately falters in her mission. Her silence aids her stealth, allowing her to move undetected as she targets John.

9 Killa Harkan

A German Mob Leader Known for His Impressive Combat Skills

Portrayed by: Scott Adkins
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Killa Harkan is a brute, grinning with delight at each chance to amass wealth. His significant size is his most notable trait, with each punch delivered resembling a sledgehammer strike. His penchant for deception and poker illustrates how he climbed the ranks in the criminal underworld while serving the High Table with unyielding loyalty.

Always seeking to win, Killa is a notorious cheater and has garnered a reputation as a detestable figure. He won’t hesitate to eliminate anyone standing in his way, often with a disturbing grin.

8 The Adjudicator

An Enforcer of the High Table Tasked with Confronting John Wick and His Allies

Portrayed by: Asia Kate Dillon
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Adjudicators are ruthless and strategic agents serving the High Table, fully committed to fulfilling their directives. This particular Adjudicator’s mission involves managing the fallout from John Wick’s actions, especially in relation to Santino D’Antonio’s assassination within Continental territory.

While the Adjudicator doesn’t engage in direct conflict, they skillfully command numerous High Table operatives in attempts to eliminate Wick and his supporters. Their judgments are definitive, and provoking one can lead to fatal consequences.

7 Cassian

The Vengeful Bodyguard of Gianna D’Antonio

Portrayed by: Common
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Cassian serves as the formidable bodyguard to Gianna D’Antonio, a new figure within the High Table. However, following Gianna’s passing, Cassian is driven by a burning desire for vengeance against John Wick throughout Italy.

Cassian quickly realizes Wick’s intent, launching an immediate attack. Although he possesses remarkable combat talents, they do not match Wick’s, hence his defeat. Yet, the mutual respect between them allows for a possible rematch in the future.

6 Tracker

Mr. Nobody: The Bounty Hunter with a Loyal Canine Companion

Portrayed by: Shamier Anderson
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

The Tracker emerges as a shadowy bounty hunter with clear ambitions in the John Wick narrative. Accompanied by his loyal pet canine, who isn’t shy about defending its master, the Tracker follows John Wick through diverse cities, waiting for the perfect moment to strike when the bounty is substantial enough.

He’s unafraid of dealing with other hunters seeking to claim John Wick for themselves, often protecting Wick until his own bounty becomes worthwhile. Yet, the Tracker’s moral compass shifts when John saves his dog, causing him to prioritize loyalty over fleeting riches.

5 Santino D’Antonio

The Italian Crime Lord Bearing a Blood Marker with John Wick

Portrayed by: Riccardo Scamarcio
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Santino D’Antonio epitomizes villainy, having orchestrated the burning of John Wick’s home and left him for dead, knowing it would provoke the beast within him. Bound by blood to his marker, John is coerced into taking out Santino’s sister in order to liberate himself from this debt.

Reluctantly, John completes the task, but Santino retaliates by placing a bounty on Wick, treating him as expendable pawns to elevate his status within the High Table after his sister’s demise. Santino is a cold-hearted schemer, willing to obliterate anyone in his path for personal gain.

4 Viggo Tarasov

A Russian Crime Boss Who Set John Wick an Unthinkable Challenge

Portrayed by: Michael Nyqvist
Featured in: John Wick (2014)

Viggo Tarasov plays a pivotal role in the John Wick saga, delivering one of the most memorable introductions to the infamous Baba Yaga, thanks to Michael Nyqvist’s performance. As John’s former employer, Viggo assigns him a seemingly impossible job, enabling John to exit the assassin life and experience true love — until his son’s actions reignite the old flames of violence.

Fully aware of Wick’s lethal capabilities, Viggo scrambles to save his son from imminent danger, thus opting to confront John himself. Despite his seasoned status as a crime boss, Viggo is unafraid to engage in the fray, setting into motion the events that drag John back into his perilous former lifestyle.

3 The Marquis de Gramont

The High Table’s Most Audacious Scheme to Eliminate John Wick

Portrayed by: Bill Skarsgard
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Vincent Bisset de Gramont, an aficionado of art and power, wields his position within the High Table to amplify his resources and effectively orchestrate the demise of John Wick. The Marquis embodies ruthlessness, manipulating those around him to further his mission of obliterating Wick.

Without hesitation, the Marquis treats lives as expendable means to an end, resorting to collateral damage while hiding behind the actions of others. His reliance on others to execute his schemes adds a layer of cowardice to his already lethal nature.

2 Caine

Portrayed by: Donnie Yen
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Donnie Yen portrays Caine, an immensely talented assassin who sacrificed his eyesight to ensure the well-being of his daughter by leaving his perilous past behind. However, the Marquis de Gramont coerces him back into the fray, tasking him with eliminating John Wick to secure his daughter’s future.

Caine’s skills remain unparalleled, even without his sight, making him a formidable adversary for Wick. Once a trusted ally, the circumstances force him to confront John, leading to a narrative filled with conflict and compelling motivations.

1 Zero

An Obsessed Adversary with Astounding Skills

Portrayed by: Mark Dacascos
Featured in: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Zero is a highly skilled assassin who trains a group of ninjas in New York while also managing a food establishment. As an avid admirer of John Wick, he and his followers emulate Wick’s combat style, displaying readiness to face him in battle, even at the expense of their own lives.

Hired by the Adjudicator to eliminate John Wick, Zero relishes the chance for a true fight, viewing it as a personal aspiration despite ultimately failing in his mission. The combination of his enthusiasm for Wick’s prowess and his remarkable skill makes Zero a memorable adversary in the franchise.

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