Wick Is Pain Documentary to Debut on Digital May 9

The story of one of the greatest action franchises that almost never happened will be told next week, when Lionsgate releases the documentary Wick Is Pain for purchase on participating digital platforms.

Featuring exclusive interviews with the entire filmmaking team behind the billion-dollar John Wick franchise, Wick Is Pain explores the depth, care, thought, love, mayhem, and—yes—pain that made the movies what they are.

The film goes behind the scenes with star Keanu Reeves, director/producer Chad Stahelski, and Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, who have shepherded the franchise from the very beginning. The film explores how John Wick and its three hit sequels have remade action filmmaking and become one of the inspirations for a new Academy Award for stunts.

Wick Is Pain is the incredible true story behind the John Wick franchise, starring Keanu Reeves. What began as an independent film, facing numerous obstacles, including financing challenges, before Lionsgate acquired it in 2014, quickly evolved into a global phenomenon that redefined the action genre and launched three megahit sequels.

Join Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and the extended John Wick cast and crew as they go behind the scenes of this billion-dollar franchise that almost never happened. The documentary is directed by Jeffrey Doe, produced by Josh Oreck, Gabriel Roth, and Matthew Sidle, and executive produced by Tina Carter.

The film will screen exclusively at Beyond Fest at the American Cinematheque on May 8, and will be available to buy on digital platforms where movies are purchased, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, YouTube, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Comcast Xfinity, among others, the next day, May 9 (with pre-orders starting May 1).

“I’m excited to share and be a part of taking fans behind the curtain on the extraordinary journey of making the John Wick films,” said Keanu Reeves.

Chad Stahelski said, “We had an idea for a low-budget independent movie. Looking back now, more than ten years later, it’s hard to believe what that idea became. It’s the fans that embraced the movie that made it all possible—and made all the pain a pleasure.”

Basil Iwanyk said, “We have never worked harder on any movie than we have on the John Wick series. Producing a movie is always long hours and stressful times, but John Wick turned that up to the max—and because we survived, that’s what made the movies so gratifying.”

David Leitch, producer of John Wick, added, “It’s safe to say that John Wick changed our lives, for everyone involved. We had been waiting for the opportunity to show our vision of what action filmmaking could be, and this film and this character gave us that opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Wick.”

Director Jeffrey Doe said, “From the beginning of this project, Chad’s only guidance was ‘Keep it honest.’ The bold candor from Chad, Keanu, and the rest of the Wick team was incredible.

“They helped us shape a raw, unflinching take on the costs of sticking to your guns to achieve an artistic vision, filled with all the physical, emotional, and personal suffering that brings. It’s been a privilege to share their remarkable story of pain, joy, and triumph in a way that I hope it captivates John Wick fans everywhere!”

Producer Josh Oreck added, “I met Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski 27 years ago in a dilapidated warehouse in Burbank, where they trained daily for a ’sci-fi movie’ that ended up being The Matrix.

“Since that day, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a front-row seat to a masterclass in filmmaking—and the decades of hard work, wild-ass thinking, agony, and resilience that built the icon that is John Wick. This is a chronicle of that adventure, and I’m so grateful to Chad, Keanu, and the rest of the Wick team for letting us tell their story.”

Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said “The phenomenal success of the John Wick franchise demonstrates what happens when filmmakers deliver everything fans wish for in a movie viewing experience: emotionally impactful storytelling, one of the most beloved actors of his generation, characters the audience cares about, and a next-level approach to every aspect of filmmaking.

“I am so excited for our fans to get this unprecedented glimpse into the incredible story of how those ingredients came together to form the franchise they know and love.”

The next film in the John Wick universe is Ballerina, which stars Ana de Armas as an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma. The film, directed by Len Wiseman, written by Shay Hatten, based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, and produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski, will be released on June 6, 2025.

Lionsgate also has John Wick: Chapter 5 and a Donnie Yen Caine spinoff film in the works, and the studio is developing the highly anticipated series John Wick: Under the High Table, which Stahelski and Reeves are executive producing.