From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is the latest chapter in the ever-expanding John Wick universe. The action/thriller stars Ana De Armas as freshly trained assassin Eve Macarro, who sets out on an epic revenge mission after the murder of her father. Fans of the action franchise, like myself, are hoping that this new assassin, Eve, can proudly stand tall next to the legendary Baba Yaga himself.
The John Wick films have a special place in my heart, as I still remember how much I loved that first entry all those years ago (and have since rewatched multiple times). Though I didn’t enjoy the second and third as much, the fourth entry from 2023 was one of my favourite movies of that year. The stunt work and action set pieces just kept getting better with each installation. I was a little worried with Ballerina as I didn’t want it to feel like a quick cash grab, riding off the coattails of the John Wick name. I tried to keep an open mind as I headed into the cinema, and I had high hopes that this film wouldn’t tarnish the iconic series.
While its narrative may stumble, Ballerina can hold its head high as this was not just a good John Wick film, but potentially one of the franchise’s best. The film’s choreography, sound design, and a breakout performance from Ana de Armas (Knives Out) all lend a hand in why this film blew away any reservations I may have had going in.
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, the film follows Eve, a deadly ballerina assassin, raised by the Ruska Roma, who sets out on a personal vendetta. While John Wick (Keanu Reeves) does appear, his screen time is wisely limited. His presence adds a cool factor without stealing the spotlight, allowing Armas to take centre stage – and she absolutely owns it.
Ana de Armas is a revelation here. Clearly putting in serious work to meet the physical demands of the role, it pays off in droves as she fully embodies the ferocity of the character. Her performance channels the grit of heroines like – Ripley and the agility of characters like – Lara Croft, solidifying her as a new action icon. We saw a small sample of this in Armas role in No Time To Die (2021), but nowhere near the level she’s at in this film. Whether she’s tearing through adversaries in an icey nightclub or holding her own in a brutal one-on-one fight, she never feels out of place in this hyper-stylised world.
And speaking of action – this is some of the best in the franchise. The stunt choreography is next level, with kills that are not only inventive but often jaw-dropping. The set pieces are sprawling and dynamic, each one raising the bar. Combine that with thunderous sound design – every punch, gunshot, and explosion practically shook the cinema seats – and Ballerina becomes a sensory experience you physically feel. I thought I was in a 4D showing at one point.
Unfortunately, where the film shines in action, it stumbles hard in storytelling. The plot is a generic revenge arc padded with convoluted subplots that go nowhere. Characters drift in and out without impact, and attempts to add emotional weight often land flat. It’s easily the weakest script in the John Wick franchise – which, considering the minimal storytelling of previous entries, says a lot.
Not even the new cast like Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) and Catalina Sandino Moreno (FROM) can salvage the limp subplots they’re given. Their characters feel underdeveloped and largely unnecessary, acting more as time fillers than integral pieces of the narrative. On the brighter side, familiar faces Ian McShane (John Wick: Chapter 4) and the late Lance Reddick (John Wick: Chapter 4) offer brief but welcome returns, adding a touch of class and continuity to the chaos.
Despite its narrative failings, Ballerina delivers exactly what fans of the franchise crave – stylish violence, precision stunt work, and a lead who can carry the torch forward. It never feels like a cash-in or straight-to-streaming filler. This is a theatrical action spectacle worth seeing on the big screen.
Rating 9/10
