Ballerina

Ballerina

Released June 6, 2025

Directed by Len Wisemen

Stunt Coordination by Jackson Spidell and Stephen Dunlevy




* No Spoilers - but some discussion of story structure *

There’s a moment in Ballerina where Ana de Armas’s (Knives Out) character, Eve, destroys a bunch of villains with grenades and another where she is lighting up real stunt performers with a flamethrower…it’s maddeningly creative and pure insanity. Pretty much sums up the experience for me! 

Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld), Ballerina is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Keanu Reeves returns for a brief cameo, but this isn’t a Wick film and it does a respectable job of standing on its own. I love the John Wick series and what it’s done for modern action. While story has never been a focus, Ballerina stumbles most with its attempt at character building.  

The film opens by trying to anchor us emotionally in Eve’s backstory. It gives the necessary context, but didn’t hook me. I understood the stakes, but did not feel them. Had they trickled this backstory throughout, or repositioned the moments in flashbacks, the emotional investment might have landed better. Instead, the early scenes drag, and if this weren’t a Wick film, bolstered by franchise goodwill and trailer-promised spectacle, I might have tuned out.

Once it gets going, Ballerina is non-stop. From a stylish training montage to the absurd “grenade scene” (yes, a whole sequence built around grenades), the film fully commits to over-the-top violence. The flamethrower sequence had a brief shot in the trailer, but it’s a full sequence, using real flames, slow-mo/high frame rate shots, and stunt performers being lit up in real time. It’s ridiculous, destructive, and wildly entertaining. The creativity here is undeniable.

Ana de Armas might not have Keanu’s speed or decades of stunt training, but she holds her own. Wide angles, long takes, and minimal cuts showcase her mastery of the choreography. I also appreciated that she isn’t a flawless killing machine like Wick; Eve is green, bruised, and constantly battling uphill. That vulnerability works. She gets beat up, she bleeds, but she pushes through. Despite the over-the-top action, it makes her character feel grounded. Her dramatic work is also solid. While dialogue isn’t a Wick franchise strength, de Armas elevates hers. She’s a better actor than Reeves, and while some lines are stilted, her performance works better than I expected. 

The supporting cast is mixed. Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune) is no doubt talented, but she doesn’t quite land her role as Eve’s mentor. Keanu’s brief appearance as John Wick is classic deadpan…almost extra John Wick-y, but he still delivers in a well-executed action beat or two. Ian McShane (Deadwood) and the late Lance Reddick (The Wire) both show up for cameos that offer a bittersweet nostalgia.

The villain, Gabriel Byrne (Vikings), is fine. Fitting into the typical Wick villain mold: cold, contemptible, and forgettable. The lore expands a bit, particularly around a new faction. Not answering too many questions but still intriguing. 

From a technical standpoint, the film hits. The cinematography, especially in snowy locales and evening light, is stunning. Wide-angle compositions, sharp choreography, and exquisite lighting elevate many scenes beyond what a typical spinoff might deserve. Sound design is punchy and visceral, though a few early ADR moments falter. The score hits the franchise’s signature beats, and when the bullets fly, it’s textured and adds to the immersion.

Ballerina falls short in its structure and emotional pacing. The first act meanders and lacks momentum, but once it shifts gears into full action mode (for more than half of its runtime) it never lets up. Endless action is great, but the lack of breathing room can be problematic. I missed the narrative lulls that let John Wick breathe between bullets.

Despite that, some sequences are truly unforgettable, and Ana de Armas shines as the lead of this spin off. The movie hints at deeper themes like fate versus choice, but they’re undercooked, more garnish than meal.If you like the series, you will enjoy this, but probably not as much as any of the Wick films. It’s not a replacement, but it’s a solid spinoff. I expect they’l make more spin offs, and I hope they improve. 

7/10 – Not quite a masterpiece of momentum like its predecessors, but Ballerina twirls through gunfire with enough style, spectacle, and stuntwork to earn its place in the Wick universe, even if it occasionally misses a step.

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