“Ballerina” Dances Into Brutal, Beautiful Glory – Review

Ballerina is a stunning spin-off that slays with style.

Ballerina is everything I hoped for — brutal, beautiful, and bursting with raw emotion. This high-octane chapter in the John Wick universe proves that spin-offs can absolutely deliver when they’re done with care, passion, and precision. With Len Wiseman at the helm and franchise visionary Chad Stahelski still steering behind the scenes, Ballerina doesn’t just honor what came before—it expands the mythology in bold and bloody ways.

Ana de Armas Lights Up the Screen in Ballerina

Let’s get this out of the way—Ana de Armas owns this role. As Eve, a ballerina-turned-assassin trained by the Ruska Roma, she delivers a performance that’s fierce, graceful, and deeply human. Her fight choreography is mesmerizing, blending the beauty of ballet with brutal combat in a way that feels fresh and earned. You can see how much work she put in, and it pays off in every frame. It’s not just about flashy moves—it’s about a woman who refuses to be broken.

Her character arc—seeking vengeance while uncovering truths about her family—is the emotional heartbeat of this movie. It’s a gritty origin tale, but one with real heart.

A Killer Cast and Emotional Surprises

Norman Reedus joins the franchise as Daniel Pine, and he’s pitch-perfect—a mysterious assassin with surprising layers. I had the pleasure of chatting with him, and it’s clear he respected the universe he was entering. Here’s hoping we see more of Daniel in the future.

Then there’s David Castañeda, who plays Eve’s father, Javier. I didn’t know much going in, so it was a real surprise to see him pop up—and honestly, without him, there’s no story. His brief time on screen sets the whole journey in motion, and I got the chance to speak with him about that pivotal role.

Rounding out the cast are returning icons like Ian McShane’s Winston, Anjelica Huston as The Director, and the late, great Lance Reddick as Charon. Seeing Lance again hit hard. And yes, Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick—and his role is not a glorified cameo. It’s meaningful and integrated in a way that makes the Wick-Eve connection truly powerful. His appearance gave me goosebumps.

Action That Cuts Deep

Come for the drama, stay for the carnage. The action here is just wild. Ballerina delivers creative, intense set pieces from ice skates turned into weapons to an unforgettable grenade fight and a flamethrower showdown. There’s blood, chaos, and choreography that raises the bar even within this already-iconic franchise.

Len Wiseman brings serious visual flair, leaning into cold Eastern European settings and layering in some of the slickest costume and production design we’ve seen from this world.

Verdict

I give Ballerina 4 out of 5 stars. It isn’t just another assassin story. It’s a character-driven expansion that deepens the emotional threads of the John Wick world while giving Ana de Armas a platform to shine, and she does. This is one of the best live-action expansions of a cinematic universe in recent memory.

Make sure to check out my Norman Reedus interview and stay tuned for my conversations with David Castañeda and director Len Wiseman.

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