An Unexpected Connection Between Action and Romance

When John Wick burst onto the scene in 2014, it redefined the action genre with its sleek choreography, neo-noir aesthetic, and Keanu Reeves’ raw, emotional performance as a retired hitman seeking vengeance. The film’s inciting incident—a puppy gifted to John Wick by his late wife, Helen, only to be brutally killed by Russian mobsters—struck a chord with audiences, transforming a simple revenge tale into a deeply personal odyssey. But what many fans may not know is that this pivotal plot point, the emotional anchor of the John Wick saga, bears a striking resemblance to a lesser-known Keanu Reeves film from 2001: the romantic drama Sweet November. Directed by Pat O’Connor and starring Reeves alongside Charlize Theron, Sweet November features a terminally ill character who gifts a puppy to Reeves’ character, a narrative beat that echoes eerily in John Wick. This surprising connection, first noted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Brian Davids, reveals a hidden thread between two vastly different films in Reeves’ career, shedding new light on the emotional depth of the John Wick franchise.

This article explores the parallels between John Wick and Sweet November, delving into how a forgotten rom-com influenced one of the most iconic action series of the 21st century. From the shared motif of a puppy as a symbol of love to the emotional resonance of loss, we’ll examine the films’ narratives, Reeves’ performances, and why this connection matters for fans and cinephiles alike. As John Wick continues to expand with sequels, spin-offs, and a passionate fanbase, revisiting Sweet November offers a fresh perspective on the origins of its heart-wrenching premise.

The Puppy That Started It All

At the heart of John Wick is a simple yet devastating setup: John Wick (Reeves), a legendary assassin who has retired to live a quiet life with his wife, Helen (Bridget Moynahan), is shattered when she dies of a terminal illness. Before her passing, Helen arranges for a beagle puppy named Daisy to be delivered to John, along with a letter urging him to find new reasons to live. The puppy becomes John’s lifeline, a tangible connection to Helen’s love—until it’s cruelly taken from him when Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his gang break into John’s home, steal his car, and kill Daisy. This act of violence propels John back into the criminal underworld, unleashing a relentless quest for revenge that has since defined the franchise.

This narrative device—the gift of a puppy from a terminally ill loved one—has a surprising precursor in Sweet November. In this 2001 romantic drama, Reeves plays Nelson Moss, a workaholic advertising executive who meets Sara Deever (Charlize Theron), a free-spirited dog groomer with a terminal illness. After a rocky first encounter at a driving test, where Nelson’s distraction causes Sara to fail, the two are drawn together. Sara invites Nelson to live with her for a month to help him rediscover life’s joys, and on his first night, a package arrives at his door labeled “November.” Inside is a puppy, a gift from Sara that symbolizes her attempt to bring warmth and spontaneity into his rigid world. Though Nelson initially returns the puppy, it sparks their reconnection, setting the stage for their love story—and ultimately, Sara’s departure to spend her final days with her family.

The parallels are striking: in both films, a puppy is mailed to Reeves’ character by a terminally ill woman, serving as a symbol of love and a catalyst for emotional transformation. In John Wick, Daisy represents Helen’s hope that John can move forward after her death, while in Sweet November, the puppy embodies Sara’s mission to teach Nelson to embrace life’s fleeting moments. The emotional weight of these gifts, and their role in driving the narrative, underscores a shared theme of love persisting through loss—a theme that resonates deeply with audiences, whether in the high-octane world of John Wick or the tender drama of Sweet November.

A Tale of Two Films: Action vs. Romance

On the surface, John Wick and Sweet November couldn’t be more different. John Wick, directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, is a gritty, action-packed thriller that redefined the genre with its “gun-fu” choreography and intricate criminal underworld. Released on October 24, 2014, it grossed $86 million worldwide on a $20–30 million budget, earning an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and launching a franchise that includes three sequels, a prequel series (The Continental), and a spin-off film (Ballerina). Critics praised its stylish direction, Reeves’ stoic performance, and the mythology of a shadowy assassin network, calling it a “satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves.”

Sweet November, by contrast, is a sentimental romantic drama that struggled to find its footing. Directed by Pat O’Connor and written by Kurt Voelker, the film is a remake of a 1968 movie starring Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley. It follows Nelson and Sara as they fall in love during a transformative month, only for Sara’s terminal cancer to force their separation. Released on February 16, 2001, the film earned $65.7 million on a $40 million budget but was panned by critics, garnering a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score. Reviews, like one from Newsday’s John Anderson, called it “dumb enough to make The Wedding Planner seem like an Ingmar Bergman film,” though some appreciated its emotional sincerity.

Despite their divergent genres and receptions, both films hinge on Reeves’ ability to convey profound loss. In John Wick, his grief is channeled into rage, with Daisy’s death serving as the spark that ignites his rampage. In Sweet November, Nelson’s sorrow manifests as a quiet reckoning, as he learns to embrace vulnerability. The puppy motif ties these stories together, acting as a bridge between Reeves’ action-hero persona and his lesser-seen romantic lead. This connection, first highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Brian Davids in an interview with Charlize Theron, was unknown to John Wick co-directors Stahelski and Leitch, who were surprised to learn of the parallel. Theron herself found it amusing, noting, “You are obviously a lover of film because not a lot of people would know that.”

Keanu Reeves: From Romantic Lead to Action Icon

The connection between John Wick and Sweet November is particularly fascinating when viewed through the lens of Keanu Reeves’ career. In 2001, Reeves was at a crossroads. Known for action hits like Speed (1994) and The Matrix (1999), he was also exploring diverse roles in films like The Gift (2000) and Sweet November. His performance as Nelson Moss showcased his softer side, portraying a man who evolves from a self-absorbed workaholic to someone capable of love and self-reflection. While critics were harsh—some, like IMDb’s user reviews, felt Reeves lacked the emotional range for the role—others praised his sincerity, with one viewer noting, “Keanu does a good performance with Nelson, creating a believable image of a single-focused Ad Executive.”

By 2014, Reeves was in a different phase of his career. After a string of box office disappointments, including 47 Ronin (2013), John Wick marked a triumphant comeback. His portrayal of the titular hitman was lauded for its stoic intensity, with critics like Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers describing it as “a return to form” that leveraged Reeves’ “taciturn demeanor” for a character who speaks through action. The puppy, Daisy, became a symbol of John’s humanity, grounding the film’s violence in a deeply emotional core. Reeves’ ability to convey grief and rage with minimal dialogue—often through a clenched jaw or a haunted glance—made John Wick an instant icon.

The shared puppy motif highlights Reeves’ unique ability to bridge genres. In Sweet November, he plays a man learning to live; in John Wick, he plays a man fighting to survive. Both roles require him to embody loss, but they channel it in opposite directions—introspection versus vengeance. This versatility underscores why Reeves remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, capable of carrying both a tearjerker and a blood-soaked thriller.

The Emotional Core: Love and Loss

The puppy-as-gift motif is more than a narrative coincidence; it’s a powerful symbol of love enduring beyond death. In Sweet November, Sara’s gift of the puppy is an act of hope, encouraging Nelson to embrace life’s impermanence. The dog’s arrival, labeled simply “November,” is a moment of whimsy that softens Nelson’s rigid worldview, setting the stage for his transformation. Similarly, in John Wick, Daisy is Helen’s final gift, a reminder that love can persist even in the face of grief. When Daisy is killed, it’s not just an act of cruelty but a violation of Helen’s memory, making John’s quest for justice deeply personal.

This emotional resonance is what elevates both films beyond their surface differences. Sweet November may lack the critical acclaim of John Wick, but its sincerity—particularly in scenes where Sara and Nelson confront her mortality—mirrors the raw grief that drives John Wick’s rampage. Both stories explore how love shapes us, whether it’s through a fleeting romance or a lifelong bond cut short. For audiences, the puppy becomes a universal symbol, evoking empathy and anchoring the characters’ journeys in something tangible and relatable.

The Unseen Influence: Did Sweet November Inspire John Wick?

The question of whether Sweet November directly influenced John Wick remains a matter of speculation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, neither Chad Stahelski nor David Leitch was aware of the parallel when they crafted John Wick. Stahelski learned of it shortly after the film’s debut, while Leitch, speaking to Davids in a 2024 interview, admitted he “never connected those dots.” Screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who created John Wick, has not publicly commented on the connection, but his script drew inspiration from action, revenge, and neo-noir films, not romantic dramas.

Still, the similarity is too striking to dismiss entirely. Reeves himself was involved in John Wick’s development, recommending Stahelski and Leitch after reading Kolstad’s script. Given his experience with Sweet November, it’s plausible that the puppy motif resonated with him on a personal level, even subconsciously. As SlashFilm notes, “Who cares if John Anderson of Newsday called [Sweet November] ‘dumb enough’ if it can claim to be the first time a Keanu Reeves character received a dog from a terminally ill love interest?” The connection, whether intentional or not, adds a layer of intrigue to John Wick’s origins, suggesting that even action blockbusters can draw from unexpected sources.

Why the Connection Matters

For fans of John Wick, discovering its link to Sweet November offers a new lens through which to view the franchise. The puppy motif underscores the emotional stakes that make John Wick more than just an action movie. Daisy’s death isn’t merely a plot device; it’s a violation of love itself, amplifying the audience’s investment in John’s journey. This emotional depth, rooted in a concept first explored in Sweet November, helps explain why John Wick resonated so deeply, spawning a franchise that includes John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), Chapter 4 (2023), and Ballerina (2025).

For Sweet November, the connection offers a chance at redemption. Long dismissed as a critical and commercial disappointment, the film’s influence on John Wick highlights its overlooked strengths. Its exploration of love and loss, embodied by the puppy, resonates with the same human truths that drive John Wick’s narrative. Available on streaming platforms like Prime Video, Sweet November invites viewers to revisit it with fresh eyes, appreciating its sincerity and its surprising impact on a modern classic.

A Call to Revisit Both Films

The link between John Wick and Sweet November is a testament to the unpredictable ways in which stories intersect. For Keanu Reeves, it’s a reminder of his remarkable range, from the tender vulnerability of Nelson Moss to the unrelenting fury of John Wick. Both films, though worlds apart in tone and genre, showcase his ability to anchor a story with emotional authenticity. For fans, this connection is an invitation to explore Sweet November anew, seeing it not just as a flawed rom-com but as a precursor to one of the most beloved action franchises of our time.

As John Wick continues to captivate audiences with its expanding universe, and as Reeves prepares for projects like John Wick: Under the High Table and a Constantine sequel, revisiting Sweet November offers a glimpse into the emotional roots of his iconic role. Whether you’re drawn to the high-octane thrills of John Wick or the heartfelt drama of Sweet November, both films remind us of the power of love—and a puppy—to change everything. So, fire up your streaming service, grab some tissues (or a bulletproof vest), and dive into this unexpected cinematic connection. The truth behind John Wick’s origins might just surprise you.