Director: Len Wiseman (with uncredited reshoots by Chad Stahelski)
Starring: Ana de Armas (Eve Macarro), Gabriel Byrne (Chancellor), Anjelica Huston (The Director), Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves (cameo)
Genre: Action Thriller
Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: June 6, 2025 (US theatrical), July 1 (streaming)
Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 and 4, Ballerina introduces Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a young assassin-in-training within the Ruska Roma. Scarred by her father’s murder, she embarks on a globe-trotting quest for revenge, navigating a deadly underworld that pulls in familiar Wick‑verse faces—and Keanu Reeves’s titular legend makes a brief, powerful cameo.
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Ana de Armas Elevates the Franchise:
De Armas brings both grace and grit: her Eve is vulnerable yet lethal, carrying emotional resonance within a sleek, action-packed narrative. -
Inventive and Poetic Action:
The film lives up to its name: fight scenes are orchestrated like deadly dance—stylishly brutal and visually arresting. Dance‑hall confrontations, grenade arts, and striking choreography earn praise. -
Wick‑verse Familiarity & Flair:
Cameos from Reeves, McShane, Huston, Byrne, Reedus, and Reddick both anchor the film and enrich its world. Gabriel Byrne’s Chancellor is a particularly colorful villain. -
Energetic Yet R Rated:
The film delivers the graphic violence, stylized tone, and dark humor typical of the franchise, raising the bar for spin-off quality. -
Pulse‑Pounding Soundtrack:
Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard combine synth and percussion with classical remixes to heighten tension and mood.
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Sparse Narrative Depth:
Critics note the revenge storyline is thin, with minimal character development beyond Eve’s mission. Dialogue often plays second fiddle to spectacle. -
Pacing Imbalance:
Some plot progression drags in the first hour, with action ramping only later in the film. -
Tonality Fluctuations:
Len Wiseman’s comedic flourishes and tonal shifts—intended as fresh twists—sometimes jar against the franchise’s darker roots.
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Rotten Tomatoes: 76% critics / 93% audience; metacritic around 59/100
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CinemaScore: A–; PostTrak: 87% positive, 79% recommend
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Critic Highlights:
• Washington Post: “Striking choreography… a chaotic yet entertaining entry.”
• Time: “Visually dynamic, if narratively light.” -
Fan Reactions:
Some Reddit users hesitated due to early reshoot rumors, but the final cut’s action sequences and franchise nods eased concerns.
Ballerina is a polished, stylish addition to the Wickverse. Anchored by Ana de Armas’s magnetic performance and breathtaking action choreography, it's a satisfying dose of vengeance and performance art wrapped into a slick assassin tale.
