Warning: spoilers ahead for John Wick: Chapter 4.

John Wick: Chapter 4 has a surprising ending, and it is drastically different from Keanu Reeves' original plan for how the franchise would end. John Wick: Chapter 4 has become an instant success, as it had the highest-grossing opening weekend of the series, the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of the series with 95%, and will very likely gross higher than any previous John Wick movie. However, while the big appeal of the franchise is brutal and creative action, which John Wick: Chapter 4 has in spades, the fourquel is emotionally resonant too, and the movie's final moments are shockingly tear-jerking.

The John Wick 4 post-credits scene hints at Akira carrying the franchise's future, and several other John Wick projects, including the Peacock TV show The Continental and Ana de Armas' Ballerina, are in development. Regardless, the fourquel definitively ends John Wick's story. John Wick has survived being shot countless times in such a short timeframe, as the first three John Wick movies span just a few weeks. However, John Wick: Chapter 4 ends with John's death after he is shot by Caine and buried in New York next to his wife by Winston and the Bowery King. This depressing ending could not be any more different from Reeves' original plan.

John Wick's Death Kills Keanu Reeves' Franchise Ending Idea

Previously, Keanu Reeves revealed his John Wick ending plan, which was a way more positive approach than what actually happens in the John Wick 4 ending. Following John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, the actor explained, "I want John to be happy. So, let's have him walk out in the sunset... he can remember the love and for Helen. So, walk off into the sunset." Now that Wick is six feet under, so is Reeves' original plan, and the character's death is especially heartbreaking following how hard he fought to survive in his seemingly-final movie.

However, director Chad Stahelski has always said the exact opposite. In the same month that Reeves commented on wanting a happy ending, Stahelski rhetorically asked, "Do you think he’s going to ride off into the f****** sunset? He’s killed 300 f****** people and he’s just going to [walk away], everything’s okay?" (via IndieWire) The writing was on the wall for John Wick from the moment he proclaimed, "Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back" in the first movie. Wick could always have faked his death, of course, as the scene cuts to his grave before he dies on the staircase in Paris.

Why John Wick 4 Is Still A Happy Ending For John

John Wick: Chapter 4 is still a bittersweet ending, despite John's death. John came to terms with the possibility of his death, as he claimed, "those who cling to death live" before being shot by Caine. The assassin no longer has to be perpetually on the run, and he no longer has to kill. John ultimately sacrificed himself so that Caine could be reunited with his daughter, and so that he could save his last bullet to kill the Marquis, meaning Wick died a hero.

More importantly, Wick can rest in peace with his wife, Helen, which is all he really wanted. John's final word is "Helen," signaling that the bloodied assassin is ready to be at peace alongside his late wife. John Wick: Chapter 4's ending may not be the literal walk into the sunset that Keanu Reeves envisioned, but it is emotionally close to the peace Reeves wanted John to find after Helen's death.

Sources: Indie Wire