Here's an overview of John Wick's lore

aka I watched the movies (and read the wiki) so you don't have to (although you should (unless you don't like violence which is ok))

a thread 🧵

First things first: context.

John Wick is a movie franchise, made up of four movies, starring Keanu Reeves as, obviously, John Wick

John Wick (2014)
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
John Wick 3: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) - still in cinemas!

Before I watched the 1st movie, I thought it would be just another action movie with lots of shooting, but let me tell you THEY'RE SO MUCH MORE

This isn't a story about John Wick, a retired hitman, this is a story about an entire universe of underground hitmen Organization

This is my attempt to deconstruct the parts and dive into this world

1. The Hitman
Hitmen (think of this as genderless bc it's not just men) are assassins. They may be independent, or part of an organization, in which case they're bound to the org's Lord

Hitmen don't just kill whoever. They accept contracts, and they get paid in gold coin for their work (more on the coin later). They work in shadow, away from and untouched by the common law

But are they lawless? Absolutely not

Enter:
2. The High Table
It's a council of 12 leaders from the most powerful criminal organizations. They are the ultimate authority, feared and respected by all.

Led by The Elder (JW3, JW4), they use Administration, Agents, and Continental Hotels to enact their authority

The High Table has seats from organizations like Camorra, Cosa Nostra, Bratva, Triad, Yakuza, Ruska Roma, Cartels, etc. I'm just mentioning them in case they come up on The Continental. A lot is unknown since they're never revealed much in the movies.

3. Administration

Through the Administration, the High Table processes hit contracts, manages communications, and puts out the bounties for any hitman to take. The first hitman to complete the task, gets the coin

The Administration looks like it's stuck in the past, working off of telephone centrals, typewriters, chalkboards, and minimum technology. Don't be fooled though, they're a well oiled machine

Hitmen will receive a notification on their phones when a new contract is up for the taking.

When the High Table REALLY wants a target taken down, they will offer a very high reward, and most hitmen will all compete against each other for the prize

Which leads me to the payment

4. The Gold Coin
This is the currency used for any services within this underworld. It keeps them tax free and untraceable.
They're gold, minted with "Ex Unitae Vires" - "Out of unity comes strength", and "Ens Causa Sui" - "By our own cause"

Gold Coins are used to buy weapons, support, intelligence, and most importantly sanctuary

Which brings me to

5. The Continental Hotel
This is a chain/group of hotels all over the world. The Continental is neutral ground, and it is sacred law that no "business" can be conducted within Continental Grounds. Breaking this law will result in a member being Excommunicado (cast out)

The Continentals must offer:
Sanctuary
Supply weapons and armour
Medical service
Transportation
And... all the regular hotel things.

Stay, weapons, armour, and services are paid for by Gold Coin and Gold Coin only.

The main Continental in the movies is the one in New York - which is where the spin off series takes place

The Owner is Winston Scott and the Concierge is Charon (RIP Lance Reddick 🥺). They're main characters, along with John

Owners like Winston work as Agents of The High Table. They must report lawbreakers, and ensure the law is respected. If they fail to do so, Owner, employees, and even Continental grounds risk being Excommunicado twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

6. Excommunicado
Simply put: you're out. You have no right to sanctuary. Anyone who helps you, is out as well.

Most likely, the High Table will place a contract on your head

(This is what happens to John Wick)

7. The Adjudicator

Agents of the High Table, an Adjudicator represents The Elder.

As such they have authority even over the Council of 12

A visit from The Adjudicator pretty much means shit really has hit the fan, and you better have a good story, or it's game over

The investigate and have authority to enact punishments, including penalty of death, and declare Excommunicado. They can to this to everything and everyone, except the Elder

Even the most savage, wildest hitmen will absolutely never dare lay a finger on an Adjudicator.

The Adjudicator is the Law in the flesh

They appear in JW3 only, played wonderfully by Asia Kate Dillon, are non-binary, and never given a name - just The Adjudicator

And of course will appear on The Continental, played by Katie McGrath

8. The Medallion

Adjudicators don't need to pay in gold coin for services. They identify themselves by presenting the Medallion, and that's all they need to have all resources at their disposal twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

They're black and gold, marked with "Actiones Secundum Fidei" which translates as "We act according to our Creed", the principle that keeps this underworld running.

It has a serpent biting it's tail ("ouroboros"), which represents eternity and permanence

We got a glimpse of this Medallion in the 3rd poster The Continental yesterday, right there on the table

I could keep going about Blood Oath markers, other Agents, the Bowery King and the Soup Kitchen... but this is long enough! If you're curious for more, watch the movies! twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Now that you have some context-
The Continental will take place in the 1970s and show how Winston Scott became the Owner of New York's Continental AND IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME

Here's the teaser trailer, in case you missed it

Feel free to keep me honest, let me know if I got something and chip in with more lore if you want!

And seriously, consider watching watch the movies 🫡

Hopefully now you understand why I'm so confused to see the Adjudicator using a gold coin at the front desk... 🫠

Also trigger warning / spoiler alert

If you watch the movies, in JW1, don't get attached to Daisy (😭) but feel free to get attached to any other furry friends in 2,3 & 4 because they're all gonna be okay (unlike Daisy)

I'll say my theory here too: she might be undercover at the hotel. Not that she'd need to, people should confess and submit, but it doesn't look like TC was abiding by the laws. The lore says it became what it is today with/thanks to Winston... so 🤷‍♀️

https://twitter.com/McJudicator/status/1646352555604324352?t=RkwEDIRGQT5uB3Nb09QfjQ&s=19

What it does tell me is she might not have an in and out role, like in the movies. She's staying there and possibly interacting more. Movie Adjudicator comes from nowehere, does their thing, and leaves to no one knows where. I feared we'd see the same but now not so much 🤩

Appendix: this JW3 Adjudicator scene because you totally get their whole vibe AND I regret I didn't add the Bowery King in my summary

Appendix 2: this is the first Adjudicator scene in the movies. THEIR POWER! And excellent example of the power the Medallion has