Keanu Reeves is one of the most extraordinary movie stars of the past several decades, as he has managed to earn both legitimate praise and ironic appreciation. Although he began appearing in heartthrob roles just as the “Brat Pack” era began its decline, Reeves would become one of the definitive action stars of his generation alongside Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes. In between his major sequels, Reeves still found a way to take on ambitious projects from acclaimed filmmakers, such as Taylor Hackford’s unusual legal thriller “The Devil’s Advocate” and Nancy Meyers’ charming romantic-comedy “Something’s Gotta Give.”

Despite facing a brief recess in his career after a series of critical disappointments in the first half of the 21st century, Reeves launched a major comeback when the “John Wick” franchise gave him another opportunity to show his merits as an action star. Reeves is clearly passionate about both the character...