Top 5 movie roles played by Keanu Reeves

 

Keanu Reeves has had a highly successful and diverse career in Hollywood, with his outstanding portrayal in John Wick: Chapter 4 being a highlight in 2023. Although he started with minor roles in TV shows and TV movies in the early 1980s, Reeves gained recognition from both moviegoers and critics for his compelling performance in Rivers Edge in 1986. Since then, some of his top movie roles have become major box office hits.

Despite most actors slowing down and transitioning to less physically demanding roles such as comedies and dramas as they age, Keanu Reeves has done the opposite. In 2014, Reeves stunned the world and established himself as perhaps the biggest action star in the industry. Several of his movies have been highly acclaimed, financially successful, and turned into some of the most popular franchises ever produced. Here are the six best movie roles of Keanu Reeves.

1. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

"Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" was the role that propelled Reeves to stardom. The movie revolves around two teenage rockers who are on the verge of failing high school. By chance, they come across a time machine that offers them the opportunity to create the ultimate history presentation. The film was highly successful and gained a significant cult following that continues to grow over time.

The original movie was followed by two sequels and a brief animated series, and it influenced a sub-genre of teen movies. "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" placed slacking rockers at the forefront of teen comedies and subverted the traditional portrayal of these types of characters. Until then, rocker characters were often depicted as losers or even villains, but "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" flipped this narrative and arguably created two of the most beloved comedy duos in cinema.

2. Point Break (1991)

After a Bill and Ted sequel (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey), Keanu Reeves was being considered as the next big thing in comedy. However, he surprised moviegoers by taking on a role that showcased his remarkable versatility and propelled him in a different direction. "Point Break" was an action-packed extravaganza directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The plot revolves around an FBI Agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a group of surfers suspected of being dangerous bank robbers.

Reeves co-starred alongside Patrick Swayze, who was also becoming a huge star following the tremendous success of "Dirty Dancing" and the Oscar-winning movie "Ghost". The film redefined the undercover cop genre by introducing one of the earliest "bromances" in cinema history. It also featured what is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling action scenes ever captured on film, the skydiving sequence.

3. Speed (1994)

"Speed" is widely considered as one of the greatest action films ever made. It was one of the earliest examples of a contained thriller in cinema and inspired numerous imitators after its release, spawning an entirely new genre. Although Keanu Reeves had already demonstrated his potential as an action hero, "Speed" solidified his status as one of Hollywood's greatest action stars.

The film revolves around a bus that will explode if its speed drops below 50 mph, and it became a massive hit that propelled Keanu into a new realm of stardom. His energetic performance in the movie was unmatched, and his on-screen chemistry with Sandra Bullock demonstrated his ability to handle the dramatic weight with ease. It was a groundbreaking role for Keanu that he had been preparing himself for since his entry into Hollywood, and it served as a springboard for even greater things.

4. The Matrix (1999)

In 1999, The Wachowski sisters revolutionized how action movies were made and delivered a truly unique piece of cinematic history. The Matrix follows Neo (Reeves), a computer hacker who is led into a forbidden underworld where he discovers that the life he knows is an elaborate deception of a powerful cyber-intelligence. Keanu carried the huge weight of the movie and still delivered a stellar performance.

The Matrix was unlike anything that had ever been done before in cinema. Its massive budget, unprecedented stunts and effects, and its awe-inspiring mind-bending plot, served as a propeller to becoming one of the most successful movies ever made. The Matrix spawned three sequels and an Anime spin-off that delves deep into the complex world of The Matrix. The popular franchise proved that Reeves was one of Hollywood’s strongest leading men, and he didn’t intend on going anywhere anytime soon.

5. John Wick (2014)

At the age of 49, Keanu Reeves faced his biggest challenge yet by portraying the role of John Wick - a skilled and tough assassin. The character, who retired from his violent profession, seeks vengeance against the man who killed his late wife's gift, a puppy, which sets off a chain of violent events.

Reeves prepared himself for the role by undergoing training in various combat sports and martial arts, as well as handling and shooting different types of firearms. His portrayal of a grieving man filled with intense anger and vengeance is a touching addition to his impressive acting portfolio, but it's his physical performance in the role that truly stands out.

John Wick features some of the most impressive and innovative action scenes in cinema, and has created a new genre called "Gun-Fu". The franchise has been tremendously successful, with three sequels already released and another one on the way. Keanu's dedication to his craft has shown that he has no intention of slowing down, and his rise to stardom has been marked by his memorable performances and positioning him as one of Hollywood's greats.