Helen Wick

"John, I'm sorry I can't be there for you. But you still need something, someone, to love. So start with this. Because the car doesn't count. I love you, John. This illness has loomed over us for a long time, and now that I have found my peace, find yours. Until that day, your best friend, Helen."

—Helen Wick's letter to John Wick^[src]

Helen Wick was the wife of the ex-hitman, John Wick. Helen's death served as the catalyst for John's return to the world of assassinations, and she appeared in several flashbacks and photographs. She is the overarching protagonist of the John Wick film series.

Biography[]

Background[]

Helen was a famous photographer who met her future husband John Wick at a restaurant. Wick, was working for Viggo Tarasov and his crime organization as a hitman at the time, fell in love with Helen. It was Helen who caused John to complete one final task for Viggo and retire from a life of killing.

The two married shortly afterward, and Helen bought her new husband a vintage car. Their marriage was a happy one but only lasted for five years before Helen was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She eventually died beside her husband, sending him into a deep depression. Living now only in pictures, recordings, and memories, her words and voice remain with her grieving husband in tangible and intangible ways.

John Wick[]

"It's been a while. My condolences. How're you holding up?"
"I keep asking, 'Why her?'"
"There's no rhyme or reason to this life. It's days like today scattered among the rest."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't blame yourself."

—John Wick and Marcus^[src]

As one final gift in the wake of her passing, Helen sent John a beagle puppy named Daisy, alongside a letter written by her that asked John to accept her death and find peace for the remainder of his life.

This was cut short when Iosef Tarasov - Viggo's son - broke into the Wick residence, stole John's car, and killed Daisy. With his wife's final gift gone, John reverted to his former self and proceeded to avenge both Daisy and the last memory of his wife, decimating the Tarasov Mob in the process.

John Wick: Chapter 2[]

"Tell me, John. This marker... Is it how you got out? And what was her name, this woman whose life has ended my own?"
"Helen."
"'Helen'. This Helen... was she worth the price that you now seek to pay? Now, let me tell you what happens when I die. Santino will lay claim to my seat at the table. He will take New York. And you will have been the one who gifted it to him. What would your Helen think about that, John? What would your Helen think about you?"

—John Wick and Gianna D'Antonio^[src]

Four days after killing Viggo and Iosef, John assaulted the business of Viggo's brother Abram to reclaim his car. After making a truce with the last survivor of the Tarasov family, John claimed both his car and a picture of him and Helen within it. Following this incident, John was visited by his old associate Santino D'Antonio, who helped him finish Viggo's "impossible task", which allowed him to marry Helen. After John initially declined a job offer by Santino to assassinate his sister, the Italian mobster blew up the Wick residence, destroying many of John's photos and mementos from Helen.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum[]

"So tell me, Johnathan. Why do you wish to live?"
"My wife, Helen. To remember her. To remember us."
"So you seek to live for the memory of love?"
"At least a chance to earn it."

—John Wick and The Elder^[src]

During the grace period afforded to him by Winston, John retrieved a photo of Helen from a hidden stash at the New York Public Library, along with Sofia's marker, several gold coins, and his ticket. When meeting with The Elder to ask for a pardoning, John severed his ring finger and gave his wedding ring to The Elder as a way to show his loyalty to the table.

John Wick: Chapter 4[]

"Saying goodbyes?"
"Saying hello."
"You think your wife can hear you?"
"No."
"Then why bother?"
"Maybe I'm wrong."

—Caine and John Wick^[src]

In Paris, John lit a candle for his wife in the Church of Saint-Eustache.

After John killed Marquis Vincent de Gramont in combat and was given freedom from the High Table, Wick reflected on his life with Helen and even said her name one last time before, apparently, dying from his wounds. John was buried next to Helen and, per his request, had his grave marked with the words "John - Loving Husband".