Keanu Reeves’ body as battleground

Abstract

ABSTRACT Keanu Reeves’ body is the battleground. At every turn in Keanu Reeves’ long career, his body becomes the site of the film’s primary conflict, from the violation of the symbolic rape scene at the heart of the first Matrix to the graphic dismemberment at the climax of John Wick: Parabellum. By utilising masculinity studies, star theory, and haptic, embodied theory, we can begin to understand the complex push and pull of abjection and masochism that spurs our desire to see Keanu’s body – crossed with its own literal scars – as the ultimate battleground of his films.