John Woo is coming back to the theatrical scene with Silent Night, an American action thriller flick hitting cinemas on December 1 this year. Given the similar theme and story, it holds akin to another revenge-centered franchise, is Silent Night connected to the John Wick films? Here's what you need to know.
Is Silent Night a Spin-Off, Prequel, or Standalone Film?
One of the many questions about Silent Night comes from that of its previous Lionsgate franchise, Keanu Reeves' John Wick.
Considering that the story of both films technically shares the same element of plotting a gruesome, bloody revenge against the illegal gangs who killed their family, there must be some form of connection to it, right?
Well, sorry to disappoint, but Woo's Silent Night is not really a spin-off or a prequel to the John Wick franchise.
While most franchises (such as Saw and the Marvel Cinematic Universe) continue to expand their cinematic worlds with their own timelines, this 2023 flick is nothing more than a standalone film to mark the return of Woo to Hollywood after his 20-year hiatus.
But don't mistake this for the Joel Kinnaman-led film having a complete detachment from the John Wick franchise, though. There is a connection between the two, just not in the way you think it is. Storywise-speaking.
RELATED: Silent Night Age Rating Guide: Is John Woo's Film Suitable For Kids?
How is Silent Night Connected to the John Wick Films?
Heavily inspired by the 'bullet ballet' technique and gun-fu that the John Wick franchise depicted throughout its four chapters, Silent Night exhibits the same elements as Godlock's revenge.
With Godlock's voice gone, his thirst to shed the blood of the men behind the killing of his son can only be quenched by learning every bit and piece of how to use a gun this Christmas.
Apart from the revenge plot and gun-fu, Silent Night involved the producers of John Wick, Erica Lee, and Basil Iwanyk, which explains why the former film resembles the classic assassin's story and style.
While John Wick was initially starting to make amends with the death of his wife, losing his dog set the timebomb in his head to revert to his old ways, which is pretty similar to Godlock's Christmas story.
Except, this time, instead of having the titular character speak in lesser lines, Godlock doesn't speak at all in the entirety of Silent Film. According to John Woo, this was intended given the tight schedule and budget they had for the holiday action film.
Not to mention, it tells a unique story of a father on a revenge spree to avenge his son's death - without using his voice, but with the music and language of guns, blood, and slaughter.
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