The Myth of Baba Yaga
John Wick Lore Explained
Basil Iwanyk and Derek Kolstad's action thriller franchise John Wick follows Keanu Reeves' titular and stylish assassin feared throughout the Russian criminal underworld as Baba Yaga \\u2014 John Wick's nickname \\u2014 which supposedly means boogeyman. The first installment in the franchise followed John Wick as he comes out of retirement to take revenge on the men who have killed his dog. Daisy, the dog, was an unexpected final gift from John's late wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan) \\u2014 and the entire underworld is terrified at the mere prospect of the 'Baba Yaga' returning. By killing Daisy, the assassins trigger John's rage-fuelled revenge spree across all four John Wick movies, leading to the tragic conclusion of John Wick 4. Throughout John Wick, Keanu Reeves' titular assassin is described in mythic terms. He lurks behind shadows and appears when he must seek revenge for the wrongdoings of others, with every weapon John Wick uses further cementing his legendary reputation. Ultimately, his past gave him the Baba Yaga nickname, but its true meaning is deeper than simply meaning John's the criminal underworld's boogeyman.
Baba Yaga
The John Wick franchise is actually wrong about Baba Yaga being the 'Russian boogeyman.' This has been a source of confusion for people who are familiar with the name, as well as fans who dedicate time to understanding John Wick's surprisingly extensive backstory. The real Baba Yaga's roots and origins in Russian folklore create an even deeper meaning to John Wick, which makes it surprising that the franchise was not as attentive to this detail to strengthen the story. Baba Yaga is not the 'Russian boogeyman' at all, she is a different being altogether. That said, considering John Wick's kill count, the Baba Yaga is not that different from the modern-day assassin. In Russian folklore, Baba Yaga is a witch who lives in a disheveled home that stands on chicken legs. The 'real' Baba Yaga lures children into her home to devour them. She surrounds her home with the human remains of her victims. Baba Yaga has been mythologized as living in this world and the next, appearing anywhere at will without warning \\u2014 just like John.
john wick chapter 4 keanu reeves walking away from smoke
The Baba Yaga John Wick Nickname Is Part Of The Franchise's Success
If John Wick's nickname was truly referential to the boogeyman, he would be called a Babay. The term translates to 'a boogeyman,' not a particular individual, but one of many. Moreover, Baba Yaga is a nickname that might be better suited for a member of John Wick's High Table \\u2014 someone with the personality and influence that actually matches that of the Russian witch. In fact, save for their penchant for murder, John Wick does not share any other similarity with Baba Yaga \\u2014 he is not malevolent nor does he seek to harm the innocent. On the contrary, he wants revenge on those who have done wrong. The use of Baba Yaga in the John Wick franchise is confusing and a bit unnerving if his character is based primarily on his nickname.
Skulls of the Deathless Mother from The Witcher Season 2
Despite these problems with the John Wick Baba Yaga nickname, the fact is that it's part of what makes the franchise successful. Much like many of the small-yet-stylish details in the world of John Wick, John Wick's nickname is a four-syllable story on its own, directly connected to the affairs of the Continental, the Russian mob, and the existence of the High Table. These elements come together to provide the distinct vibe and concrete lore that differentiate John Wick from any other action movie franchise in recent history.
The Deahtless Mother, inspired by Baba Yaga, in The Witcher
The Baba Yaga In Other Media
Though John Wick might be the most famous character associated with Baba Yaga, she has long lingered in the zeitgeist. For instance, Baba Yaga is the primary inspiration for The Witcher's Deathless Mother, also known as Voleth Meir. Not only did Voleth Meir's hut have basilisk legs \\u2014 similar to Baba Yaga's chicken-legged house \\u2014 the incantation to get into Voleth Meir's hut is also the same as the one for finding Baba Yaga's. Another version of Baba Yaga also exists in The Witcher video games. Meanwhile, in the 2019 Hellboy reboot, the main antagonist is an extremely horrifying version of Baba Yaga that is much closer to the Russian myth \\u2014 a twisted spirit that commands ancient magics and manipulates others for her own malevolent ends. Baba Yaga's influence can even be traced back to the seminal Dragon Ball saga, particularly through Master Roshi's sister Fortuneteller Baba Saga, who is loosely based on the mythic witch. While these interpretations are much more faithful to the real Baba Yaga, the fact is that, today, John Wick is practically synonymous with the name.
Hellboy Falls From Baba Yaga's House
