Review:

Ballerina is a slick, hard-edged action thriller that successfully expands the John Wick universe while giving audiences a fresh lead with her own fierce mythology. Centered on Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a ballerina-turned-assassin trained in the Ruska Roma tradition, the film combines stylish choreography with brutal, inventive fight sequences—and does so with a strong emotional anchor rooted in revenge and identity.

Set chronologically between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina follows Eve as she hunts down the killers of her father, navigating the violent underworld where every contract could be her last. The story begins with a measured setup of her training and motivation, then detonates into full-throttle action once Eve sets her sights on her targets.

Ana de Armas dominates the screen with a charismatic yet controlled performance, giving Eve both emotional depth and lethal precision. Her fight choreography is a highlight—creative, fluid, and often unexpectedly brutal—with standout sequences such as a snowy restaurant fight that blends inventive staging with visceral energy.

Returning familiar faces from the Wickverse—Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and others—add connective tissue for fans, but the film succeeds largely on its own terms. The narrative isn’t as tight or emotionally layered as the best of the mainline John Wick entries, and its revenge plot can feel familiar, but the execution—both literally and figuratively—is strong.

What Works:

• Ana de Armas delivers a compelling lead who feels fully capable of anchoring her own spin-off.

• Action choreography is creative and brutal, with memorable set pieces.

• Franchise continuity and returning characters add depth for fans of the Wick universe.

Critical & Audience Reception:

Ballerina holds a solid ~75% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes with even stronger audience approval (~92%), praised for its choreography and de Armas’s performance.

Bottom Line:

Ballerina pirouettes into the John Wick world with grace, grit, and explosive kinetic energy. It may not surpass the legendary status of Wick’s own story, but it stands confidently on its feet as an action-packed, stylish thriller—and positions Eve Macarro as a compelling new killer to watch in this universe.