John Wick: Chapter 4 has taken the world by storm, which naturally means that moviegoers everywhere are once again talking about the film’s star, Keanu Reeves. And at this point, it’s easy to see why.
Keanu Reeves has become one of the most beloved movie stars working today, not just because of his good-natured, down-to-earth public image, but also because of the many notable roles he’s played over the years. Even before the John Wick series, he was in everything from Speed to Johnny Mnemonic to Constantine — and in more recent years, he captured the hearts of video game fans with his turn as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077. So if you just can’t get enough of Keanu, here are five of his most noteworthy roles, from old favorites to newer curiosities.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Before Keanu Reeves was an action star, he was Theodore Logan from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Directed by Stephen Herek with a script by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon, this 1989 comedy gave a 25-year-old Keanu Reeves his breakout role. The film follows Ted and his best friend Bill (Alex Winter), a pair of teenage slackers who are destined to lead humanity into a utopian future. In order to make sure this future comes to pass, a time traveler named Rufus (George Carlin) grants Bill and Ted his time machine, which they use to recruit various historical figures to help them pass their history class.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a very, very stupid movie, but that’s exactly what makes it so charming. It’s an enduring piece of pop culture that’s still quoted today, thanks in no small part to Reeves’ performance as half of the titular duo. The dim-witted goofball Ted Logan might be a far cry from the stoic, serious roles that Keanu would become known for, but that just adds to his appeal. This movie is a must-see for any fan of Reeves’ later work.
Point Break
It was 1994’s smash hit Speed that made Keanu Reeves an action film legend — however, it wasn’t his first lead role in an action movie. That would be 1991’s Point Break, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The film stars Reeves as Johnny Utah, an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a group of surfers who are suspected to be the culprits behind a string of bank robberies. However, the case becomes complicated when Johnny begins forming a close bond with the gang’s leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze).
The film’s premise is as odd as it is unforgettable, and it’s executed with a level of unflinching sincerity that’s either deeply compelling or unbearably cheesy — or perhaps both — depending on the sensibilities of the viewer. However, it’s that strange charm that makes Point Break a classic. It’s not as conventional an action film as some of Reeves’ other work, but it’s proved memorable enough to be referenced in everything from Hot Fuzz to The Avengers.
The Matrix
Of course, one can’t make a list of Keanu Reeves’ best roles without bringing up 1999’s cyberpunk masterpiece The Matrix, written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. These days, it’s difficult to talk about The Matrix simply because so much has been said about it already. Not only is it a groundbreaking work of action cinema, it’s also an amazing science fiction story, not to mention a pitch-perfect execution of a Hero’s Journey narrative.
And at the center of it all is Keanu Reeves as Thomas Anderson, better known as Neo. If Speed catapulted Reeves into action stardom, The Matrix turned him into a legend. Neo is among the most iconic heroes in movie history, and Reeves brings him to life flawlessly. While John Wick is arguably his defining role in current times, Keanu will always be The One.
Always Be My Maybe
2019’s Netflix original romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe, starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, was well-received by both critics and audiences. However, its biggest claim to fame naturally comes from a brief appearance by Keanu Reeves, playing an eccentric fictionalized version of himself. Reeves shows up as the celebrity boyfriend of Ali Wong’s Sasha, serving as a romantic rival to Randall Park’s Marcus. His role in the film ultimately amounts to little more than a cameo, but Reeves makes the most of the screen time he has, and his scenes have been utilized in countless memes since the film’s release.
Toy Story 4
Once again, Reeves only plays a supporting role in this final film, but the mere fact that Keanu Reeves appeared in a Toy Story movie at all is worthy of note. In 2019’s Toy Story 4, Reeves lends his voice to Duke Caboom, a Canadian stuntman action figure who aids Woody and Bo Peep on their adventure. He may be a secondary character, but his melodramatic personality makes him one of the most entertaining parts of the movie — thanks in no small part to Reeves’ charismatic performance. It just goes to show that although decades have passed since his Bill and Ted days, Keanu’s comedic chops haven’t faded a bit.