The Continental: From the World of John Wick arrived on Peacock in 2023 as a three-episode limited series, each installment running roughly ninety minutes. Set in 1970s New York City, it tells the origin story of the Continental Hotel, the franchise’s iconic assassin safe haven, through the eyes of a young Winston Scott. The promise was tantalizing: the John Wick universe expanded into a period crime epic with the visual flair and world-building that made the films so distinctive.
The reality fell considerably short. The Continental struggles with an identity crisis it never resolves. It wants to be a gritty 1970s crime drama, a John Wick action showcase, and an origin story simultaneously, and it doesn’t fully succeed at any of these goals. The three movie-length episodes feel padded despite their length, and the connection to the films that audiences loved often feels more like an obligation than an organic extension of that world.
1970s New York and Glimmers of Style
The production design captures 1970s New York with obvious care. The period details, from the fashion to the architecture to the music choices, create an atmosphere that distinguishes the show from the sleek, modern aesthetic of the films. When the show leans into its period setting, there’s a grittiness and texture that works on its own terms.
Mel Gibson’s casting as Cormac, the Continental’s current owner, is the show’s most interesting performance choice. He brings a menace and authority to the role that grounds the more fantastical elements. Colin Woodell’s young Winston has his moments, and the ensemble cast includes some individually entertaining performances even when the material doesn’t serve them consistently.
The world-building expands the mythology of the High Table and the Continental’s rules in ways that devoted fans will appreciate. The 1970s setting allows the show to explore a version of this criminal underworld that operates differently from the modern incarnation, and some of these additions to the lore are clever.
Missing What Made John Wick Work
The fundamental problem with The Continental is that it removes what people love about John Wick and replaces it with something far less interesting. The films are defined by their action choreography, their efficiency of storytelling, and Keanu Reeves’ screen presence. The show has none of these things. The action sequences are competent but generic, lacking the precision and invention that made the films iconic.
The pacing is punishing. Three ninety-minute episodes is a lot of television for a story that could have been told in a standard film’s runtime. Subplots meander, characters are introduced without sufficient development, and the narrative takes detours that don’t pay off. The show mistakes length for depth.
The writing is the weakest element. Dialogue that should crackle in a 1970s crime setting lands flat, and the emotional stakes never feel earned. The young Winston’s journey from outsider to hotel owner lacks the dramatic momentum that a good origin story requires. You don’t feel the transformation so much as watch it happen according to schedule.
The show also faces an inherent prequel problem: you know where Winston ends up, so the suspense about his survival is nonexistent. The series doesn’t find creative ways to generate tension despite this limitation, which is a challenge many prequels fail to overcome but still counts against the final product.
The Franchise Expansion Question
The Continental raises a question that many franchise extensions face: does every corner of a beloved fictional world need to be explored? The mystique of the Continental Hotel in the films was partly a product of its mystery. Explaining its origins in exhaustive detail doesn’t necessarily enhance the franchise; in some ways, it diminishes what worked about the original.
Should You Watch The Continental?
Only if you’re a devoted John Wick completist who needs to see every corner of the universe explored. Casual fans of the films will find the show’s slow pacing and absent action choreography frustrating. If you’re looking for a 1970s crime drama, there are far better options. The show isn’t terrible, but it exists in a no-man’s land between satisfying franchise fans and standing on its own merits.
The Verdict on The Continental
The Continental is a misfire that demonstrates the difficulty of translating a film franchise’s appeal to television. The 1970s setting is visually interesting, and there are scattered moments of entertainment across its three episodes. But the show’s bloated runtime, generic action, and flat writing make it a forgettable entry in a franchise that’s defined by being unforgettable. The John Wick universe can support expansion, but it needs the energy, style, and precision that made the films special, and The Continental has precious little of any of them.