This little post I made on Akira and John exploded more than I expected, so I shall offer more interesting observations that I noticed about lighting choices/colour symbolism in the John Wick movies. Before we get into it, I would like to recommend these analysis [1, 2] by @evren-sadwrn on Marquis de Gramont, John Wick and Helen Wick talking about the same topic as I am below.
Charon
Most of Charon's scenes throughout the franchise were otherwise dark backdrops only brightened up by the lamps/light sources around him, which exemplifies the fact that he is the most reliable, dependable and trustworthy character, ally and friend in this dark criminal underworld, fitting for someone named after the ferryman of the underworld in Greek mythology.
The only scene where Charon notably breaks this pattern was his final scene when the Marquis shot him when he and Winston and everyone else were drenched in the Marquis' harsh golden lighting, which was heartbreaking to say the least.
Marcus
Similarly, Marcus' scenes in the first film had mostly grey backdrops, representing the stability, monotony, and lack of transformation of his life, in contrast to John who just lost his wife at the time.
The two exceptions happened during the two most important points of his character arc, the first one being darkly-lit when Marcus decided to not shoot a resting John from the Continental's window and warned him instead, and the second one being brightly-lit when Marcus got beaten up and then killed by Viggo in his home for helping John. These two scenes were also backdropped by yellow lighting as opposed to the blueish hues from his previous scenes.
Cassian & Ares, Gianna & Santino
I'm putting these four characters together in the same section because they share a common theme in terms of lighting choice, especially during their last scenes. Both Cassian's and Ares' final fight with John ended in brightly-lit settings with white lights. On the other hand, both Gianna's and Santino's death scenes took place in darkly-lit settings. The parallels, man, the parallels!
Caine
The lighting choice for Caine was kinda hard to pin down, and I think it's because it's meant to represent the emotional conflict Caine faces throughout Chapter 4. The fluctuation between light and dark, neon and natural lights reflects his dilemma very well, with his darkest lit scene arguably being his duel with Koji, where it's also the only scene he took down his sunglasses, thus signifying his lowest point in the movie.
But I think it's also worth noting that despite being the obvious second main character after John in the fourth film, Caine was merely a side actor basking in other people's spotlights, whether that be the Marquis' harsh golden lights, Koji's neon lights, or John's (more accurately Helen's) yellow candlelights/sunlight. Caine was a supporting role up until the post-credit when he gets to reunite with his daughter. That's when he gets his own spotlight and arguably the brightest scene he's ever appeared in.
Okay, that's all I could find as of now. There are definitely more characters to dissect and study but I will stop here. If you want more analysis like this, please reblog.
Just scrolling through Instagram when I come upon a post that states in huge letters "WILLEM DAFOE HAD TO HAVE A PENIS DOUBLE FOR A FILM BECAUSE HIS WAS TO LARGE"
*windows error noise* 😳
The only other text on that post was, and I quote, "He has an enormous d*ck"
I just wanted to make an update letting you know where I stand for my writing projects and give you a coherent list of what I'm working on so you know what will be coming out over the course of the year. I have been getting a pretty high volume of mini-fic requests in proportion to headcanons and those take a pretty long time and a lot of energy for me to write, so turning them out is gonna take a while haha.
I want to thank everyone for their patience and put out the titles I'm currently working on that people have sent in and have on my list to get done before I reopen my requests. If your request isn't in this list it's either because it wasn't my thing, was sent in during a period where my asks were closed, violated my "what I don't write" section, or for some reason didn't send (I've been having a few issues with some peoples asks getting through).
Hopefully this puts everyone at ease. I will be out of my current living space for a couple days due to work, so I'll continue working on these once I've gotten back the 9th. I'm sorry for any delays and I hope you guys are all doing well! :D
Synopsis: When Marcus is asked to take out you, Winston’s daughter who he has never met, he doesn't think twice before taking the assignment. But once he sees you through the scope, things change and he begins to fall in love with you.
A/N: I don't know his last name and it freaking sucks, but!!! Marcus doesn't get enough love tbh and I loveeeee Willem Dafoe. It's based heavily off of Marcus protecting John during the first movie in case you were wondering!
It was simple, simpler than any of his other assignments. Kill the girl... So why was this so damn hard? Marcus grunted before pulling back from the scope as he began to watch you with his own two eyes. You weren’t far away and it was easy to see that you had your guard down, he could kill you effortlessly. His marine training and assassin background made kills like this as simple as slicing bread, yet he couldn't do it.
He couldn’t kill you.
“I don't even know who the hell you are...” Marcus whispered before falling back onto his ass. Licking his fingers, he began to unscrew the silencer from the top of his rifle, trying to calm the agitated feelings that rumbled under his skin. You were just some stupid girl... He chanted in his brain as he put his gun away. This wasn't the first time that he was unable to kill you, no...
This would be the fifth.
He remembered when he first got this offer 2 months ago, he didn't hesitate taking it. The price tag over your head was 2 million, something that Marcus could take and retire with. The people who wanted you dead stated that the reason was to get to Winston and since Marcus didn't have any close ties to Winston, this wasn’t a problem.
That was until he saw you.
Pulling out his phone, his finger hovered over the bosses name, contemplating if he should tell them he couldn’t do it but then realization dawned on him. If he doesn't kill you, which he knew he couldn't, someone else would. The thought of someone harming you sent an anxious shockwave through his chest. Why did he care so much for you?! A girl he didn't even know!! Your giggle rose up along the buildings and hit his ears like musical notes.
You always sounded so sweet.
He shook his head violently before scratching at his face anxiously, he had to get you out. He had to take you out, because if he didn't... Someone else would and he didn't know what he would do if you were killed, by him or someone else. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he decided one thing. He would continue watching you through the scope of his sniper rifle.
But he would protect you with it.
The clubs music pounded in your ears as you made your way through the fog on the ground. You had lost your friends hours ago and now wanted to get away from the grinding bodies. “Excuse me” you hollered to the guy next to you as you grabbed his arm. His eyes were hooded and you knew he was definitely on some sort of drug by the way he sluggishly smiled at you. “Can you point me to the exit?” you pressed, not really afraid of someone like him. Dealing with assassins 24/7 all your life made you rough on the edges, men like him were nothing but pansies. “I can point you the way to my cock princess” he purred before grabbing your hip and ripping you towards him. You rolled your eyes before shoving him back sharply, your strength was unexpected and he went tumbling to the ground. You started to walk away before he stood up and screamed after you.
“ты заплатишь за эту суку“ (You’ll pay for this bitch).
Your eyebrow shot up in surprise as you heard the all too familiar Russian words fall from his lips. Turning your head, you sent him a sharp glare. “Не эта сука” (Not this bitch) you snarled before turning back towards the newly found exit and heading towards it. You could sense that he was following you and you fumbled with the knife on your side, not another one of these. With knife in hand, you switched the blade out and pushed the door open. Your thin heels hit the concrete as you pulled your coat closer to your body. You saw your Porsche parked 15 feet from you, home free-
You were shoved into the hood of your car, your switchblade flying form your fingers and clattering against the concrete. Strong hands flipped you around and you saw that it was, in fact, the man from the club pinning you down.
“Я преподам тебе урок уважения, детка“ (I will teach you a lesson in respect, baby) his smooth Russian words flowed from his lips and in another time and place, you would have found it attractive. “Иди к чёрту“ (Go to Hell) you threatened back through gritted teeth as your legs flew up, trying your best to shove him off. His fist connected with your jaw, causing you to cease your movement as stars circled around you. Blinking rapidly, you looked up at him as he threw another punch, and then another.
“Ты просто сука“ (You’re just a bitch) he snarled as he threw you back onto the hood. You could feel the blood in your mouth but didn't know if it was from your nose, your mouth, or both. He pulled away and turned around with his two other friends and all three began to walk away, leaving you disheveled and broken. You really should have just stayed silent.
“Не твоя сука“ (Not your bitch) you snapped with a small bloody smirk, you meant for it to be silent, but once you saw the man freeze, you knew you were dead. He turned back, his eyes blazing with rage under the street lamps. He began to storm over, fist raised and Russian curse words flowing from his angry lips. You closed your eyes and shoved your face in your arm, hoping he would kill you quickly.
The sound of a gun caused you to cringe back on the hood of the car, but once you heard the man's body fall, you realized the gun wasn't from him. Looking up from your arm, you saw the man lying on the concrete as blood poured from his skull. Looking up, you saw the two other men running away but soon, they two went down with gunshots in their head. You stood up straighter, wiping the blood from your mouth as you looked around, trying to find the source of the shooter. Realizing it wasn't someone on the ground, you raised your eyes and barely caught a shadow retreating from the building above. You had known there was a sniper following you ever since the first day you saw him two months ago, but you didn't think he would protect you.
“Thanks” you whispered up into the shadows, hoping that one day you would meet the man who couldn’t seem to kill you but protected you instead. A hiss flew from your lips as you grabbed your jaw, finally starting to feel the aftereffects of the blows. Grabbing the keys in your pocket and the blade on the ground, you got into your car and took off towards the one place you knew you were safe.
The Continental.
“Holy shit! You look like hell!!” Addy proclaimed as she grabbed your face softly in her hands. “Where’s my father” you pressed wincing from even her light touch. Addy pulled her hand away at your wince and motioned over towards his usual spot, “He’s right over there, let me get you some whiskey... Your usual?” she talked quickly and you hardly heard her question over the pounding in your head but you nodded, knowing full well that she was going to try hard to numb your pain. Turning, you almost ran into a body and looked up to see a somewhat familiar face looking at you worriedly, “Excuse me” you mumbled as you pushed past him. You could feel him watching you as you weaved through the crowd, but you didn't care.
“She’ll be okay Marcus” Addy said to the man who was watching you. He hummed and handed her his empty glass. She grabbed the glass and frowned at the look he was shooting your way. “Since you look so worried about her, why don't you bring her her drink?” Addy commented knowingly as she slid your drink into his hand. He nodded at her thankfully before grabbing the glass of whiskey and weaving his wave towards where you were sitting with your father.
“He just punched me over and over again... But someone killed them” you stated firmly as he used his white napkin to dab lightly at the blood dripping down your chin. You only had your father and he only had you, so seeing you in this state made him nervous. He knew someone wanted you dead, but for the past 2 months its been very quiet.
“I’m very sorry what has happened to you”
Your head snapped up to the newcomer before realizing it was the man at the bar. “Marcus... What a surprise” your father chirped before handing you the now bright red napkin and shaking the man, Marcus’s hand. “Hello, Winston and...” Marcus trailed off as he turned his attention to you. You noticed a glimmer in his blue eyes causing your heart to race.
“This is my daughter, Y/n... I only recently brought her into the limelight but I’m slowly starting to regret it as you can see” Your father joked, but Marcus didn't see the humor in it as he examined your bruising face. “Mind if I sit?” he cut in as he looked at your father firmly, almost stating that he deserved to sit just from the look. “Go ahead... Listen, I have to go handle some business, do you mind watching after her until I get back?” your father asked as he began to stand. Marcus nodded and before you could even argue, your father was gone.
And you were left alone with Marcus.
Looking over, you smiled softly at him before dabbing under your nose once more, silently praying that it would stop bleeding. The silence overtook you both as you looked in the metal plate at yourself. Nothing you were doing was helping and you became frustrated. Your fist balled up in pain as the other hand’s fingers tried to find the bleeding source.
“Here. Let me help you”
Marcus’s fingers pushed yours away as his other hand raised your chin up so he could see better in the dark bar. You let out a groan as his fingers felt up your nose before finally finding a spot and clamping down. “Ow!” you hollered out and he just shushed you sweetly as the fingers resting on your chin moved down to cup your jawline so as to hold you firmly in place. “What exactly are you doing” you stated but because of the clamped nose, it came out nasally and annoying. A smile formed on Marcus’s face at the pitched sound and shook his head to hide his giggles. “I’m trying to stop the bleeding that's by the broken bone, I have to set it in order to stop the bleeding completely, but I need your permission-”
“Do it.” You cut in sharply, just wanting this to be over. You would be lying if you said that you didn't find the older man attractive and alluring but you bleeding all over his hand had to be putting him off. “Okay...” he trailed off as both hands moved up to the broken nose bone, “One. Two. Three”
“FUCK” you screamed out as the bone snapped back into place. The pain traveled down your neck and to your chest, making you feel like you couldn’t breathe right. Pulling back, you hovered your hand over your nose, not realizing that all around you were eyeing Marcus as if he had hurt you on purpose. Once you pulled your hand away, and they saw the blood around your nose, they soon realized what he had done and moved along.
“I’m sorry darling... Here, Addy made you your drink, it should help the pain-”
His head snapped to you sharply as you grabbed the glass before he could finish. Downing the warm liquid, you felt it burn your throat and for a split second, it masked the pain in your head. He was impressed but slightly concerned as you had downed it without cringing. Slamming the glass down, you threw your hand up so Addy could see you signaling for another. She nodded at you as she stopped the current drink she was making to make your drink first.
“So, wanna help me ignore the pain?” you cooed playfully as your hand fell on top of his, it was meant to be a joke but you couldn’t ignore the jolt of lightning that traveled to your stomach. He laughed lightly before grabbing the napkin in front of him and dipping it in a water glass. “How about we clean you up... And then we will see-”
You giggled playfully as you leaned in so he could wipe the blood away, seeing you through the scope was one thing, but up close you were breathtaking. He was glad he never made a shot at you, he was glad he killed those men tonight. Your eyes narrowed as you took in his features, trying to place him where you saw him before.
“Holy shit... You’re the sniper that's been following me”
He froze as his eyes flicked up to yours. Was he breathing? It didn't feel like he was breathing. “I can explain-”
“You protected me tonight” you cut him off before he could keep going. Your hands cupped his cheeks and he looked at you in both confusion and worry. “Who sent you to kill me?”
There it was. The question he hoped would never be asked, however, unlike most cases, he told you immediately. The name of the guy who hired him made you nod in understanding as if you knew about this from the very beginning. “Thank you for not going through with it” you whispered shakily as your thumb ran up and down his cheek sweetly. To be honest, you grew accustomed to your protector on the roof. At first, you were scared but realized that he would never harm you. “I’m so sorry I took the assignment... But I couldn’t hurt you and the thought of someone hurting you was too much so I still followed you. I know its wrong, I know I sound creepy but I-”
Your lips slamming against his silenced him immediately. He was shocked at first but closed his eyes and kissed back eventually. Pulling back, you smiled at him softly. “I have a secret to tell you Marcus” you whispered while pressing your forehead against his. He cocked his head, signaling for you to continue. “I knew you were following me... I knew who you were... And I knew you were there to protect me... And I have a thing for protective men let me tell ya” you purred seductively as you slid your body closer to his in the booth.
“My father sent his men to watch you as you watched me... Hell, I just had to match the face with the name” you continued as your hands rested on his chest playfully. He cracked a smile at you before regaining his courage once more. “Do you like what you see?” he asked quietly in your ear causing a shiver to run down your spine. He pulled back and saw your shit-eating grin.
Actually, I was quite satisfied with the analysis I previously wrote on Caine, but then I just rewatched the first John Wick movie and now I have even more thoughts to add on the subject matter.
So buckle up because this is going to be another long post.
Tagging @evren-sadwrn, @chaoticgardenbread and @jotunvali02 again. <3
In my last analysis, I have already compared Caine with Cassian due to how similar they function in relation to John within the John Wick universe. This time, let us compare Caine with the next most similar character to him in the John Wick franchise: Marcus.
On the surface level, Caine and Marcus have similar arcs within the movie they appeared in. They are both friends of John Wick who were recruited by the villain to hunt and kill the Baba Yaga but deep down were secretly on John Wick's side.
While Marcus agreed to Viggo's contract out of his own free will whereas Caine was blackmailed and threatened by the Marquis, they would eventually forsake the job given to them and choose to give John a helping hand in a moment of crisis, a decision they were willing to die for.
(The sad and tragic part of it is that only one survived and got to live out his happy ending and the other was punished for it and died.)
The more I think about it though, the more I feel this is where the similarities end.
For one, Marcus looked way older than John, likely closer to Viggo in age. Even so, he hadn't retired from the business, and was living quite comfortably in a large apartment in New York alone. (It's almost as if Marcus is an alternate version of John if he didn't choose to marry Helen and had continued to live on his life as an assassin.)
By comparison, John was retired, and while he had a large bungalow in the New York suburbs to live in, the large wide empty spaces of his home seemed to amplify how lonely John felt after losing Helen.
Marcus: How're you holding up?
John: I kept asking why her.
Marcus: There's no rhyme or reason to this life. It's days like today scattered among the rest.
As much as his comforting words were sound, Marcus was content with his own life, and John clearly wasn't. On top of the implication that Marcus didn't have any family whatsoever, you can see why John immediately questioned Marcus about his intentions of visiting him after Helen's funeral right after the quoted dialogue above.
John was too drowned in his grieving for his wife's passing at the time that no one's condolences, not even Marcus (the person who Viggo claimed John was close with), could truly comfort him.
Because John wasn't done grieving while he was alive, when Iosef killed Daisy, John went on a rampage to avenge his dog. When Santino burned down his house, John shot him on Continental grounds, the supposedly safest haven in the criminal underworld. When John sacrificed his ring finger to the Elder, he rebelled against the High Table's forces head on alongside the New York Continental.
You know what finally made John Wick stop running, accept his death and find his peace?
It was when Caine comes into the picture.
For the first time in a long time, John had found someone who's similar in age as him and in a position similar to him mentally and emotionally-speaking, more so than anyone else in the franchise.
Just like John, Caine was also retired. He was discontent with his life, and he was lonely, due to the sheer fact that Caine wasn't allowed to get close to his daughter.
Despite being on opposite sides, John and Caine were equally caged by a strong sense of helplessness internally. (Where John acted upon it with defiant rage, Caine responded with palpable fear.) That's why we're rooting for both of them to get their unconditional freedom, and why the sunrise duel is so important not just for plot reasons.
Unlike Marcus, Caine had an innocent family member at stake, and because John intimately knew how it felt to lose a loved one, he ultimately sacrificed his life so to prevent Caine from having to experience the same grief John had painstakingly gone through for four entire films.
And that's something John was finally willing to die for.
(It's unfortunate that within the same movie John had unknowingly created another John Wick in Akira, but that is an entirely different story altogether.)
