Basil Iwanyk and Derek Kolstad’s John Wick franchise gives the titular assassin the nickname "Baba Yaga" but don't feature its actual origins.
Basil Iwanyk and Derek Kolstad’s action thriller franchise John Wick follows the titular assassin who has been given the nickname “Baba Yaga”, supposedly meaning the boogeyman, but what does it really mean? The first installment in the franchise followed the assassin (played by Keanu Reeves) as he comes out of retirement to take revenge on the men who have killed his dog. Daisy, the dog, was an unexpected final gift from John’s late wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan).
John Wick 2 finds him in a predicament where he must honor a debt from his past by assassinating an individual he does not want to. By the third installment, he is on the run and being hunted for breaking the foundational rule of the Continental Hotel, killing someone on the property. hroughout the series, John Wick is described in mythic terms. He lurks behind shadows and appears when he must seek revenge for the wrongdoings of others. Ultimately, his past gave him the nickname Baba Yaga but his actions throughout the franchise further cement his identity as a boogeyman like figure.
John Wick's Real Name & Origin Explained
However, while the movies label Wick as "Baba Yaga", they don't actually get it right. The false definition of the name is a source of confusion for people who are familiar with the name as well as fans who dedicate time to understanding a beloved character’s backstory. Baba Yaga’s roots and origins in Russian folklore create an even deeper meaning to John Wick, which is surprising that the franchise was not as attentive to this detail to strengthen the story.
The Russian Witch Named Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga is not the boogeyman at all, she is a different being altogether. In Russian folklore, she is a witch who lives in a disheveled home that stands on chicken legs. Similar to the Brothers Grimm tale of the witch in Hansel And Gretel (1812), Baba Yaga lures children into her home to devour them. She surrounds her home with the human remains of her victims. Baba Yaga has been mythologized as living in this world and the next, making her a nightmarish figure that appears whenever she deems necessary, like John Wick.
If John Wick's nickname was truly referential to the boogeyman, he would be called a Babay. The term translates to “a boogeyman,” not a particular individual but one of many. Surely, John Wick is a deadly assassin feared by many, but he is not the only one. Therefore, Babay is much more fitting for his character over Baba Yaga. He does not share a single similarity with the Russian mythic witch, he is not malevolent nor does he seek to harm the innocent. On the contrary, he wants revenge on those who have done wrong.
Unfortunately, it is a bit too late to go back and change this crucial piece of John Wick’s identity to better suit his characterization. Perhaps there is more to his story than viewers know, as John Wick 4 is slated for release in 2022, so fans could see a whole new side to John Wick. Until then, the use of Baba Yaga in the John Wick franchise is confusing and a bit unnerving if his character is based primarily on his nickname.
