Home

Angels, Demons and Humans in Between

image by Veronica V. Jones

Keanu is a Damned Good Constantine

A brooding John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves.
A dazed Angela Dodson portrayed by Rachel Weisz.
The dapper Satan, as portrayed Peter Stomare
The lovely Gabriel, as played by Tilda Swinton.

Constantine was a movie that Keanu Reeves needed to make. With his sardonic, sullen, but ultimately likable portrayal of the title character, he’s done an excellent job of helping us forget his past “performance” in the Matrix series.

John Constantine is a man — just a man — who’s spending what’s left of his life fighting the demons that others can’t — or won’t acknowledge. This is a character that I have no problem identifying with, and most likely, neither will you.

The movie tells a personal story, and while the fate of the world hangs in the balance, the fates of Constantine and the police officer that seeks him out (Rachel Wiesz) seem far more consequential. This is most likely due to the standout special effects that comprise John’s gut-wrenching, nightmarish visions of Hell. They’re very Gothic, and very convincing. During these sequences, you’ll swear someone turned up the heat.

Constantine might just make a believer out of you. After watching the film, you’ll come to understand that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Written by in February of 2005. Last edited March 2019.

Related Features

Kuang Hong

A woman with long brown hair stretches in a yellow dress. A pale young woman holds an unusual phone to her ear. Two young women cradle a large dragon's head.

Visual Wizardry Elevates Avatar Above its Collective Clichés

The free-spirited tribal princess and native hottie, Neytiri. Avatar-driving Jake and his reluctant tutor Neytiri. The ultimate Deus Ex Machina, the Planet Pandora.

Vitaly S. Alexius

A blond woman with large translucent wings gazes across an alien landscape. A futuristic warrior stands at the ready in an oddly lit cityscape. A dark angel with wings outstretched gazes upward.

Trusting The Undead: A Zombie Omnibus

Leading men from The Walking Dead and Zombieland. Timothy Oliphant and Radha Mitchell from The Crazies A. J. Bowen and Scott Poythress in The Signal

The Sensual Solitude of Only Lovers Left Alive

Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as Eve and Adam. Tom Hiddleston as Adam. Tilda Swinton as Eve. Mia Wasikowska as Ava. John Hurt as Marlowe.

Comments

  • jh dreisdale - February 8th, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Reeves is adequate at BEST; I was aware that he was acting throughout the entire movie — and he often sounded as though he was trying his best to sound like a whispery Clint Eastwood…

  • Ann - September 13th, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    I never cared about the DC comic character until Reeves played this character. He was made to do a character like Constantine and I very much enjoyed the chemistry between he and Weisz. Was always disappointed we did not get a sequel with the same crew and I had hoped for more Beeman and Chaz. Hated that they bit the dust. I would love to see this same cast return for a sequel. This brooding anti-hero type is perfect for Reeves and he made this role his own.