The Ultimate Guide to Understanding John Wick's Excommunicado Status
In the John Wick universe, being labeled Excommunicado is the ultimate nightmare for a hitman Find out why John Wick faced this fate, what it truly means, and if anyone else suffered the same consequences
Highlights
John Wick was declared excommunicado for breaking the rules of The Continental by killing a crime boss on its grounds.
Excommunication from The Continental results in the individual being stripped of all privileges and protection, leaving them susceptible to assassination. Both Ms. Perkins and Winston have also experienced excommunicado status due to their actions, but managed to later have it revoked.
John Wick, a renowned action franchise, had humble beginnings as a sleeper hit in 2014. Starring Keanu Reeves, who had been absent from the box office for a significant period, the film marked his triumphant return to the action genre. This success paved the way for three successful sequels and a recent spin-off prequel series, The Continental, consisting of three parts.
The franchise's journey to achieving mega success also introduced an entirely new cinematic mythology centered around assassins. It created a complex universe revolving around a secretive hotel sanctuary called The Continental, efficiently managed by Ian McShane's character, Winston. One prominent theme in the John Wick universe is the terrifying concept of being "excommunicado," which has become synonymous with the franchise and has come to define it in numerous ways. This term instills fear into all assassins worldwide, as it signifies their ultimate undesired state.
Why was John Wick declared excommunicado?
John Wick, the protagonist of the movies, showcases unparalleled combat skills and delivers some of the most remarkable fight scenes in cinematic history. His abilities surpass the imagination, making him the embodiment of the perfect assassin. However, like many characters in action franchises, he is not without his flaws, which ultimately lead to significant consequences.
In the movie "John Wick: Chapter 2," he commits a grave error by unlawfully taking the life of Santino D'Antonio, an Italian crime boss seeking sanctuary within the confines of The Continental. This act defies the established regulations of the organization. As Santino arrogantly taunts John during an encounter in a restaurant, the titular assassin disregards all norms and swiftly eliminates him.
John and Winston meet at the Bethesda Fountain the following day. Unfortunately, the hotel manager delivers the news that due to Santino's demise, John now has a price on his head and is officially banned from the Continental. As a result, he loses access to the hotel's resources and privileges.
To help John and his dog escape, Winston grants them a one-hour grace period before his ban becomes fully effective. During this brief window of opportunity, John has a slim chance of evading the worldwide pursuit of assassins who are after the bounty money. These events directly pave the way for the storyline of John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum.
What does it mean to be excommunicado?
Upon breaking the rules, a former member of The Continental enters the state of excommunicado. This status entails a complete revocation of their privileges and access to the services provided by The Continental, including protection from other members. Consequently, the excommunicado individual becomes vulnerable to being killed without facing any consequences.
In the opening scenes of John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum, John Wick anticipates the imminent official declaration of his excommunicado status. During this critical hour, he diligently gathers necessary items for his escape. While a doctor tends to his injuries, John's new status takes effect, forcing him to finish stitching himself up and harm the doctor to conceal their assistance.
John benefited from preferential treatment from Winston because of their long-term friendship. However, he still had to follow the rules to avoid being labeled as ''excommunicado'' and protect himself.
Was anyone else declared excommunicado?
In the initial installment of John Wick, Ms. Perkins made an endeavor to eliminate John in order to claim a $2 million reward placed on his head. However, he managed to overpower her, leading to her eventual punishment. Despite being under the supervision of a man named Harry, Ms. Perkins managed to escape before being declared "excommunicado" by Winston. Consequently, she faced execution for conducting illicit activities on the premises of the Continental.
Winston faced consequences for his actions and was deemed "excommunicado" by the High Table in John Wick 4 after failing to eliminate John Wick. Consequently, the New York division of the Continental was destroyed and Charon lost his life. To rectify the situation, Winston handed John over to engage in a battle against Vincent Bisset de Gramont, in return for the reconstruction of the Continental in New York and the lifting of his "excommunicado" designation.
Following the successful elimination of Vincent, John fulfilled his obligations to the High Table, granting him freedom, while Winston had his demands met and was no longer considered ''excommunicado.'' Although one could argue that John's ''excommunicado'' status was also lifted, it is irrelevant as he seemed to perish from his injuries.
If The Continental television series is renewed for a second season, fans can anticipate a greater number of instances featuring "excommunicado" assassins. Moreover, an exciting Ballerina spin-off is in the works, indicating that the John Wick franchise is far from being deemed "excommunicado."
