KVI’s Ari Hoffman is joined by producer Big Mike to review the action-thriller spin-off From the World of John Wick: Ballerina!
“Ballerina,” the latest spin-off from the “John Wick” franchise, released on June 6, 2025, delivers a thrilling addition to the universe, set between “Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “Chapter 4.”
Directed by Len Wiseman with reshoots by Chad Stahelski, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a Ruska Roma-trained ballerina-assassin seeking revenge for her father’s death.
Critics and fans on X praise its seamless integration into the franchise, highlighting De Armas’s standout performance—she performed 90% of her stunts, bringing authenticity and physicality to the role while avoiding the indestructible protagonist trope.
The action sequences are a major highlight, maintaining the series’ reputation for innovative, brutal choreography with creative kills involving flamethrowers, grenades, and explosives.
Notable scenes, like a Prague Continental showdown, rival the best of the franchise, blending gritty realism with a touch of goofy flair.
The film expands the lore with new characters and settings while featuring returning icons like Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Ian McShane as Winston, and Lance Reddick as Charon, satisfying fans of the billion-dollar franchise.
However, “Ballerina” isn’t flawless. Some reviews note pacing issues, lackluster villains, and a standard revenge plot with excessive plot armor for Eve, alongside critiques of dialogue and character depth. Despite these flaws, the film’s inventive action and De Armas’s mega-star potential make it a “Wicktastic” entry, earning an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Directed by: Len Wiseman
Written by: Shay Hatten
Based on Characters by: Derek Kolstad
Produced by: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski
Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves
Synopsis: Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
Lionsgate presents, a Thunder Road Films / 87eleven production.
Official Site: https://www.ballerina.movie/
Publicity Materials: https://www.lionsgatepublicity.com/theatrical/ballerina
Genre: Action
Rating: R for strong/bloody violence throughout, and language
