Wick is Pain documentary dives deep into the chaos behind the John Wick franchise

The Wick is Pain documentary explores the gritty origins of the John Wick films with Keanu Reeves and unseen footage.

A brand-new documentary titled Wick is Pain is set to explore the brutal, behind-the-scenes journey of the John Wick franchise.

Directed by Jeffrey Doe, the film will be available digitally starting May 9, 2025, and IGN has debuted the official trailer, featuring candid interviews with Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and key cast and crew members.

Wick is Pain chronicles the rocky origins of the first John Wick film, which premiered in 2014 and went on to spark a billion-dollar action franchise. Using over a decade of never-before-seen footage, the documentary reveals how the now-iconic action series almost didn’t happen. According to Stahelski, the production faced major financing issues: “We were panicked. This is Keanu f**n’ Reeves. You do not wanna let him down.”

In one particularly jaw-dropping revelation, producer Basil Iwanyk admits he “took money out of his house” to help fund the film, while Eva Longoria swooped in to save the day with a crucial $6 million investment. Producer David Leitch also recalled the desperation: “I don’t know how you find six and a half million dollars by Monday.”

The documentary doesn’t just highlight the pain — it celebrates the relentless drive behind the success of the John Wick saga, from its indie beginnings to global blockbuster status. Fans can also look forward to upcoming franchise entries including John Wick 5, Ballerina, and an anime prequel film.