Ballerina (2025), the first spin-off from the John Wick franchise, twirls into theaters with a mix of brutal action and balletic flair. Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, this action thriller, set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, delivers a solid, if imperfect, addition to the Wickverse. Released on June 6, 2025, it’s a bloody, stylish ride that stumbles early but redeems itself with inventive fight scenes and de Armas’ fierce performance. With a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score and $57.1 million grossed worldwide, Ballerina proves it can stand in the John Wick shadow—mostly.
A Revenge Tale with Ruska Roma Roots
Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is a young woman driven by vengeance after a cult, led by the sinister Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), kills her father, Javier, and her mother years ago. Taken in by the Ruska Roma and trained under the steely Director (Anjelica Huston), Eve transforms into a ballerina-assassin, blending grace with deadly precision. Her quest for revenge pits her against a network of killers, with familiar John Wick faces like Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick, in his final role), and John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves) weaving in and out of her story.
The plot, penned by Shay Hatten, is thin—a straightforward revenge tale that feels like a John Wick retread at times. The first half drags with clunky dialogue and a sluggish setup, leaning on clichés and underbaked subplots, like Eve’s brief connection with Lena (Catalina Sandino Moreno). Some critics call it “threadbare” and “uninteresting,” noting it lacks the emotional weight of Wick’s puppy-driven rampage. But once the action kicks in, the story takes a backseat to Eve’s relentless killing spree, and the film finds its pulse.
Ana de Armas Shines in Brutal Action
Ana de Armas is the heart of Ballerina, proving she’s more than ready to carry an action franchise. Her Eve is equal parts vulnerable and ferocious, a “flawed badass” who takes hits and fights to survive, unlike the near-invincible Wick. Her ballet training infuses her combat style with a unique spin—think pirouettes into pistol-whips and pointe work as tactical footwork. While some X posts gripe that her fights mimic Wick’s too closely or lack “uniqueness,” de Armas’ physicality and charisma silence most doubters. She handles stunts herself, from knife-edge choreography to a wild ice-pick duel on a theater catwalk, making each kill feel visceral.
The action is where Ballerina earns its place in the Wickverse. The second half unleashes a barrage of creative set pieces: a grenade-fueled armory brawl, a flamethrower showdown that’s “cool but overlong,” and a chaotic sequence where Eve takes on an entire Austrian village of assassins. These scenes, enhanced by reshoots from John Wick maestro Chad Stahelski, deliver the franchise’s signature “gun-fu” with a twist—think ice skates and katanas alongside Glocks. Critics praise the “stunning choreography” and “absurd, thrilling” carnage, though some note the first half’s fights feel “watered down.”
A Mixed Bag of Tone and Cameos
Ballerina struggles to balance the John Wick formula with its own identity. The franchise’s slick world-building—High Table politics, the Continental’s suave vibe—feels intact, but the film lacks the winking self-awareness of its predecessors. Keanu Reeves’ cameo as John Wick is a crowd-pleaser, with a “grand entrance” that reminds everyone why he’s the Baba Yaga. Yet, some argue his presence undermines Eve, making her seem like she needs saving, a misstep for a spin-off aiming to stand alone.
The supporting cast, including Norman Reedus as the quirky Daniel Pine and Lance Reddick’s poignant final turn as Charon, adds flavor, but characters like Byrne’s Chancellor feel generic. The film’s somber tone, paired with dark themes like implied trafficking, clashes with its goofy action, leaving it “insultingly facile” for some critics.
Box Office and Reception
With a $70 million budget, Ballerina opened to $24.5 million in the U.S., finishing second behind Lilo & Stitch. Its $57.1 million global haul is modest but steady, driven by action fans and overseas markets. Rotten Tomatoes’ 76% and Metacritic’s 59/100 reflect a split: critics love the action but find the story “cluttered” and “uncreative.” X buzz hails de Armas as a “superstar” and the film as “the best action movie of the year,” though some lament its “stale” script.
A Worthy, If Flawed, Spin-Off
Ballerina doesn’t hit the heights of John Wick: Chapter 4’s operatic chaos or Chapter 3’s relentless pace, but it’s a fun, bloody bridge to the franchise’s future. Ana de Armas cements herself as a kick-ass lead, and the action, especially in the gonzo final act, delivers enough thrills to satisfy Wick fans. The weak plot and uneven tone hold it back, but the ending teases High Table drama and Eve’s return, hinting at a bolder sequel. For action junkies, it’s a slick, grenade-packed ride worth catching in theaters.
Rating: 3.5/5