Keanu Reevesis a name very few people haven’t heard. Whether you like it or not, you’ll end up watching him at some point — and for most movie-goers, you’ll love him, even if you hated the movie itself. Whether you were introduced to him way back in the 80s withYoungbloodorRiver’s Edge, or you hopped onThe Matrixtrain, arguably one of thebest American action sequencesin the late-90s/early-2000s, it’s hard to ignore the absolute star quality Reeves possesses in his arsenal — but not the way that you’re thinking. Sure, Tom Cruise or Arnold Schwarzenegger scream “flashy action hero,” but they are a hit on-screen, and not so much in everyday life. Reeves, on the other hand, is a hit on-screen and off-screen, and he never intended to be that way.
As most of us are aware, Reeves lives a relatively quiet life, free of A-list airs of privilege or demands. For the most part, he lives acompletely normal life— if you can forget that he is Keanu Reeves for a few seconds. He’s never seen driving any super fancy cars or rocking brand-new designer clothes. When he slips into the public eye, he’s often seen wearing casual clothing and doing his own thing, typically by himself. No 5-star restaurants, no private jets, and he often spends a chunk of his own money and time with multiple charities. This is exactly why Reeves is loved off-screen: he oozes the relatable celebrity without intending to do so — he’s just himself.
Reeves is the head of a private cancer research foundation that benefits children’s hospitals. In an expected Reeves style, he said, “I don’t like to attach my name to it; I just let the foundation do what it does”. Additionally, after filmingThe Matrix, the actor gifted each team member of the film’s stunt team a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Reeves said (viaFar Out Magazine): “We were all in this thing, and we were training together beforehand. I just wanted to give a bigger thank you to all these guys who helped me make this, I think, one of the greatest movie fights in the history of cinema.” Now you’re thinking: how does this casual, generous, awkward man equate to the perfect modern action hero? Don’t sell him short just yet until you read the facts.
Keanu Reeves' Mannerisms & Personality
It’s hard to deny that Reeves has a certain style when it comes to the way he moves. For most action stars, their moves are carefully calculated, their acting face is put on, and they portray the “cool” action hero, capable of nearly impossible moves and escaping situations that would’ve killed any normal person. For Reeves, that’s not entirely the case. Yes, he is still very capable of being the “cool” action hero we’re so used to. Some of his best acting was in theJohn Wick films.
But in order to truly understand his acting, we have to dive a little deeper than the surface. Attesting to Reeves' unique mannerisms, we can look at some of his fighting scenes inJohn WickorThe Matrix. In other action films, the fight scenes are something flashy, quick, and precise. They are set up to dazzle the audience with graphics, destruction, and classic shooter action. Reeves' films have some of these elements, but they also have more than that: fighting in almost a dance-like way.
If we watch Reeves' moves in these films, they can almost be interpreted as dancing, with their smooth transitions and graceful structure. When theJohn Wickactor fights off villains and antagonists, his feet glide to their next destination and make it seem like every scene was shot in one go, with no editing needed. It makes for beautiful scenes to behold and unique to Reeves alone. Additionally, he appears to have exceptional hand-eye coordination, making his gun-slinging scenes seem authentic and not rehearsed. His personality is set up perfectly for such scenes, as he usually projects a more serious, no-crap persona.
Related:Keanu Reeves' Best Action Movies, Ranked
The Vulnerability with the Camera
Another rare feature seen in the filming industry is Reeves' vulnerability with the camera. Let’s be honest: you can tell when an actor is comfortable with their role or position. While, at times, people have mistaken Reeves' awkwardness with discomfort, this is not the case. Most actors or actresses put on their “game face” when filming, projecting whatever mood or personality they are set to play. While Reeves does alter some elements when filming, for the most part, he is just himself. Watching his different action movies, he typically has a similar character across the board, even if their stories or goals are vastly different.
Related:Keanu Reeves Calls John Wick: Chapter 4 ‘The Hardest Movie I’ve Ever Made’
His No-Flash-Needed Acting
The final great trait of Reeves is his no-flash-needed acting. While some of his films have had some flash to them, overall, Reeves takes a quieter approach to action films. Since he is more reserved than actors like Cruise or Schwarzenegger, he has a stunning ability to make quiet, everyday scenes intense and interesting without exploding cars, extreme police chases, or complete demolition. While some of the more popular action films typically dedicate tens of millions of dollars to graphics and visual enhancements to “wow” the audience, Reeves' films typically hold strong on impressing the audience with a great storyline and immersive acting. He knocks most of his roles out of the park with just a gun, a cool car, and his dedication to complete his task.
