From his unforgettable performances in the beloved films of the ’80s and ’90s, such as The Matrix, Bill and Ted, and Point Break, Keanu Reeves has cemented his status as a Hollywood icon. Like many of his peers, he ventured into the world of comic book adaptations, taking on a pivotal role in a 2005 superhero film that has now found a new home on HBO Max, premiering on January 1st.

Keanu Reeves boasts one of the most remarkable filmographies in contemporary cinema. With The Matrix marking the dawn of a new era, Reeves continued to rise, becoming synonymous with genre-defining hits. As comic book movies gained momentum, he embraced the complex persona of one of DC Comics’ most intriguing antiheroes.

Reeves is no stranger to cult classics, and 2005 was a significant year as he transitioned from the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy to portray John Constantine—a character crafted by Alan Moore, John Totleben, and Stephen Bissette for Swamp Thing #37. This role further solidified his ability to captivate audiences with his versatile talent.

Constantine Is Keanu Reeves’ Greatest Cult Classic

Image via Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Keanu Reeves has no shortage of cult classics under his belt. In 2005, hot on the heels of the third Matrix movie, the star stepped into the role of John Constantine, the occult detective Alan Moore, John Totleben, and Stephen Bisette created for Swamp Thing #37.

In the four decades since his creation, Constantine has been the embodiment of the dark fantasy and horror side of the DCU, covering comics, movies, and TV shows. Francis Lawrence’s Constantine movie follows Reeves in the titular role as he’s haunted by his dark past in the world of the supernatural.

A self-loathing exorcist and chain-smoker, he’s sought out by a police detective, Angela Dodson, as she’s left with his name as the sole clue in her sister’s apparent suicide. After he saves her from demons, they work together to try to prevent the coming of Mammon, the son of Lucifer himself.

Caught in the feud between Heaven and Hell, Constantine’s actions are driven by his own desire to secure his place in paradise. He appeals to the Angel Gabriel for help as he works to stop Lucifer and save the world.

When the film was released, it was almost universally panned. While it was a success against its budget, it was still considered an underwhelming release. Perhaps most unfairly of all, critics around the world judged it against Reeves’ Matrix work, showing that his career going into the late 2000s would exist in its shadow.

The film never pretended to be a faithful comic book adaptation and took creative license when bringing the character to the big screen. From losing his Liverpool roots to having no connection to the core DCU, Constantine was in the vein of Wesley Snipes’ Blade films. Alongside Reeves, Peter Stormare became a favorite among fans for his own depiction of Lucifer.

Joining countless other DC projects, Constantine is set to make its way to HBO Max as its new streaming home beginning January 1st. There, it’ll join the likes of The Dark Knight, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and Superman: The Animated Series, further building DC’s presence on the streaming giant.

Constantine Continues to Be A Comic Book Icon

In the years since the film’s release, John Constantine has only become a more prolific character in pop culture, in no small part thanks to the film’s growing cult status. Aside from a beloved CW series starring Matt Ryan and an animated miniseries, the character has been written into an assortment of fantastic comics.

From his leading presence in the various Justice League Dark titles to Simon Spurrier’s Hellblazer series, he’s a thriving part of horror comics. The last decade in particular saw the rise in popularity of the 2005 film, especially as streaming gave countless box office bombs a new lease on life with younger audiences.

As Reeves’ stardom was revived following the success of the John Wick franchise, a film like Constantine seemed destined to get a resurgence. Considering the fact that comic book movies have since become a hot commodity, it almost feels like Lawrence’s movie was held back by its time, not unlike Zack Snyder’s Watchmen (also on HBO Max).

For many, the dark, brooding, and cynical nature of Constantine lends a sense of realism to the character and the DCU, appealing to those who loved Alan Moore’s writing style. In the 2005 movie, what was lost in accuracy was made up for in great scenes, a chilling depiction of the villain and one of Reeves’ best character performances.

In fact, the film garnered such a strong rise in popularity that Reeves himself has discussed a possible sequel. With hundreds of issues in print, the nihilistic occult detective remains an essential part of the mature side of DC, and the Constantine movie is a great watch despite the lack of comic faithfulness.

Not only has the work of Keanu Reeves continued to thrive in a post-John Wick era, but the star himself has become a comic book creator. He’s given the world his BRZRKR series under Boom! Studios with Matt Kindt and Ron Garney co-creating can continues to prove his versatility.

Many DC fans still appreciate Reeves as Constantine, even if the film didn’t strive for comic book accuracy. In a world dominated by streaming, it’s always a great sign when previously overlooked films can take on a new life with people who didn’t see them when they released.

When it comes to comic book adaptations, it’s hard to beat Keanu Reeves’ performance as Constantine, and HBO Max subscribers will be able to watch it starting New Year’s Day.