The Continental: From the World of John Wick is a nice and quirky prequel spinoff of John Wick movies. However, it tells the story of the Continental Hotel in the 1970s in New York.
The original title of this show was “The Continental”. However, it has been changed to “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” now, maybe, to highlight their connections.
Synopsis (summary) of this 2023 American series
The Continental is a chain of hotels around the world. It serves as a neutral ground for members of the underworld. The hotel workers of this hotel chain try to handle the hitmen and murderers who come to stay. So, it is an event series revealing the violent origins of the iconic hotel-for-assassins in the John Wick universe.
Set in 1970s NYC (New York City), this show explores the origin of the iconic hotel-for-assassins centrepiece of the John Wick universe. It is seen through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell). He recruits a team to take on a vast conspiracy triggered by his brother’s attack on the said hotel.
The bloody action drama explores the collision of family love, fate, and revenge.
Spoilers free review of The Continental: From the World of John Wick
About this famous hotel chain
It is a prequel spinoff of the John Wick (2014) film franchise. Herein we travel back in time – the 1970s New York and explore the background life stories of Winston Scott and Charon.
Moreover, its story explores the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centrepiece of the John Wick universe. So, in this mini-series of season one, a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) is dragged into the hellscape of 1970s NYC to face a past he thought he’d left behind after he had migrated to the United Kingdom.
Back in NYC (the USA), Winston embarks on a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his throne and control it during the John Wick era. We meet the older Winston Scott and Charon characters in the said film franchise.
Step Inside the Grounds of The Continental Hotel | The Continental: From the World of John Wick | YouTube
Those, who have not yet seen the John Wick movies, must be wondering about the concept of this hotel chain. Well, this hostel chain serves criminals only. Moreover, it provides them with a safe haven. So, you can check its video link shared above.
In the John Wick films, a much older – Winston Scott and Charon are the most important managers of the said hotel in NYC.
About actor Ben Robson
Firstly, we meet Francis Patrick (Ben Robson) the brother of Winston Scott in the breath-taking action-packed opening scene (video link below), which reminds us of John Wick.
Opening Fight Scene - Sneak Peek | The Continental: From the World of John Wick | YouTube
We have seen the tall and muscular actor Ben Robson in the ‘Animal Kingdom’ series. In fact, he really fits right in with the high-octane action sequence in this crime show too.
About the other actors in this show
On the other hand, all the other actors – Mel Gibson (Cormac O’Connor), Colin Woodell (Winston Scott), Ayomide Adegun (Charon), Mishel Prada (KD), Hubert Point-Du Jour (Miles), Nhung Kate (Yen), Jessica Allain (Lou), Jeremy Bobb (Mayhew), etc. bring their unique action talent to this show.
And they pull off some intense stunts and unrealistic fight scenes in the show.
A little side note: This year, the world lost the actor Lance Solomon Reddick, who plays older Charon in John Wick film. This film can be ode to his memorable chracter.
R.I.P. Lance Solomon Reddick {Born-7 June 1962 & Died-17 March 2023}
Prequel to the John Wick films
Maybe, this show tries hard to replicate the immense success and popularity of John Wick movies, but it falls short in the comparison. Perhaps, it simply does not have the star power of Keanu Reeves playing the anti-hero John Wick. Still, we liked the efforts put in by the entire ensemble cast of this show. The use of peppy background music is also very good.
In conclusion, we are sure that, most John Wick fans will appreciate this flashback into the lives of Winston and Charon, two much-loved characters in this action-packed show, too.
Spoilers alert about its 3 episodes & 2 key characters of the series
Let us peek into its three (3) episodes
1. Brothers in Arms
Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) gets dragged into a vast conspiracy triggered by his estranged brother Francis ‘Frankie’ Patrick’s (Ben Robson) raid on The Continental. So he must help him escape Cormac (Mel Gibson), the sadistic gangster who runs the hotel, who will stop at nothing to retrieve a stolen coin press.
2. Loyalty to the Master
Winston is consumed by a desire to avenge his brother and bring justice to Frankie’s name, but he knows that he can’t mount an attack on Cormac alone. So he recruits a motley crew of specialists to help overthrow the Continental.
3. Theatre of Pain
Struggling to put the final pieces of the plan together, Winston’s team fractures under dissent and distrust, but they manage to wage an all-out assault on the hotel; with the body count rising on both sides, Cormac cracks under the pressure.
Let us meet young Winston Scott & old Winston Scott
Young Winston Scott in The Continental
After the murder of his elder brother Francis Patrick (Ben Robson), younger Winston Scott seeks revenge and also plans to take over the said hotel.
Old Winston Scott in John Wick
In John Wick movies, we always meet the older Winston Scott as the man in charge of the said hotel. So, this series explores his background story.
Let us meet young Charon & old Caron
Young Charon in The Continental
The younger Charon helps younger Winston Scott to execute his revenge plan and take over the said hotel, because of the murder of his two friends – Francis Patrick (Ben Robson) and a budding musician,
Old Caron in John Wick
On the other hand, we always meet the older Caron as he manages the day-to-day operations of the said hotel in John Wick movies. So, this series explores his background story.
Key details about this 2023 American series
| Genre | Drama, Action, Crime, Thriller |
| Original language | English (USA) |
| Age-restrictions | A (18+) |
| Released in | September-October 2023 |
| Season | One |
| Episodes | Three |
| Creators | Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward & Shawn Simmons |
| Cast | Mel Gibson (Cormac O’Connor), Colin Woodell (Winston Scott), Ayomide Adegun (Charon), Mishel Prada (KD), Hubert Point-Du Jour (Miles), Nhung Kate (Yen), Jessica Allain (Lou), Jeremy Bobb (Mayhew), etc. |
| Network | Peacock |
Poster of this 2023 American series
FM rating of this 2023 American series
| FM’s rating | 3.85/5 |
| FM’s short comment | If you are a fan of John Wick movies like us, then you will certainly love this stylish and action-packed prequel series set in 1970s New York. |
Trailer of this 2023 American series
Featured Images and Posters of The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023) Series | Peacock.