From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Genre: Action, Thriller
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Starring: Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Platform: Theaters
Rating: 4/5
By Karl Simpson Jr.
“It’s brutal, fast, and surprisingly fun—exactly what it needs to be.”
BALLERINA might not reinvent the action genre, but it delivers exactly what fans of the John Wick universe are hoping for—and maybe even a little more. It’s a relentless, fast-paced ride that hits hard and barely lets up, powered by an intense performance from Ana de Armas. While the story doesn’t always hit the emotional notes it’s reaching for, the action, energy, and confidence on display make this a worthy addition to the franchise. It’s familiar, sure—but it’s also a blast.
Ana de Armas crushes this role. There was some skepticism going in—can she really anchor something this physically demanding?—but she completely shut that down from the first scene. She’s vicious, focused, and completely in control. There’s a real sharpness to her performance that elevates the entire film. She’s not just holding her own in this universe—she’s owning it.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is how grounded and visceral the action feels. These aren’t just flashy sequences meant to look cool (though they do look cool)—there’s real weight behind them. The choreography is brutal and tight, and it all feels motivated by emotion. The violence has purpose, and that makes it hit harder. Whether it’s a quiet takedown or a full-on brawl, the fights have that raw intensity that makes the John Wick world so compelling.
It would’ve been easy to throw Keanu Reeves in for a cheap cameo, but BALLERINA avoids that trap. His scenes as John Wick feel intentional and tied into the larger story. He adds weight to the narrative without stealing the spotlight. His moments are small but impactful, giving fans what they want, while keeping the focus where it belongs: on Ana de Armas. It’s a great balance.
Where the film ultimately stumbles is in its attempt to do too much. The core revenge story is strong—simple, emotional, and effective. But instead of sticking with that, the script throws in side-plots and moral detours that distract more than they deepen. There’s one intriguing subplot in particular that could’ve added some real depth and darkness—but it barely gets touched. You can feel the potential just under the surface, but the movie never fully taps into it. That choice prevents the film from achieving the emotional impact it’s clearly aiming for.
Despite the narrative clutter, the film never drags. The pacing is tight. The action is constant. It has that same forward momentum that defines the best entries in the franchise. Even when the emotional stakes feel underdeveloped, the energy keeps everything moving. You’re never bored. If anything, you’re just wishing it would slow down for a second and explore the story it clearly has sitting in its back pocket.
BALLERINA doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—and it knows it. It sticks to the John Wick blueprint: sleek visuals, brutal fights, and a revenge story that pushes everything forward. But thanks to a standout performance from Ana de Armas and some seriously memorable action, it manages to carve out its own lane in a world already packed with heavy hitters. It’s not perfect. It’s not as emotionally deep as it wants to be. But it’s fast, violent, and fun—and sometimes, that’s precisely what you want. Fans of the franchise are going to leave satisfied.
