Ana de Armas Takes Center Stage: A Comprehensive Review of “Ballerina” (2025)
The John Wick universe has found its newest star, and she’s trading bullets for ballet slippers—well, sort of. “Ballerina,” the highly anticipated spin-off starring Ana de Armas, premiered on June 6, 2025, bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved franchise while maintaining its signature style and intensity.
Plot and Setting: A Dance Between Vengeance and Grace
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, “Ballerina” introduces us to Eve Macarro, portrayed by Ana de Armas. The story follows a trained ballerina from the Ruska Roma tradition who embarks on a quest for revenge after her father’s tragic death. Director Len Wiseman, working with a screenplay by Shay Hatten, crafts a narrative that interweaves the elegance of ballet with the gritty world of professional elimination.
The film’s timeline placement is strategic, allowing it to expand the established universe without disrupting the main storyline. This positioning gives viewers both familiar elements and new territory to explore within the franchise’s mythology.
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Ana de Armas: A Performance That Commands Attention
The Cuban-Spanish actress delivers what many consider her most physically demanding role to date. Building on her experience from “No Time to Die,” de Armas brings both vulnerability and strength to Eve Macarro. Her character represents a departure from the seemingly invincible John Wick, showing moments of fallibility that make her victories feel earned and impactful.
Critics have particularly praised how de Armas balances the contrasting elements of her character—the grace of a trained dancer with the precision of a skilled professional. Her performance demonstrates range, moving seamlessly between emotional scenes and high-energy sequences.
Supporting Cast and Cameos
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, and Ian McShane reprising his role from the main series. Keanu Reeves makes a notable cameo appearance, providing continuity with the original films and offering fans a bridge between the stories.
These established actors bring gravitas to the production, with McShane’s return particularly satisfying for franchise enthusiasts. The supporting performances help ground the story within the familiar John Wick world while allowing de Armas to shine as the lead.
Technical Excellence: Choreography and Cinematography
Where “Ballerina” truly excels is in its technical execution. The choreography represents a unique fusion of classical ballet movements with martial arts, creating visually stunning sequences that feel both elegant and intense. The film’s directors worked closely with choreographers to ensure authenticity in both the dance and combat elements.
The cinematography captures both the beauty of ballet and the kinetic energy of the franchise’s signature style. Each scene is meticulously crafted, with particular attention paid to how movement flows from one sequence to the next.
Critical Reception: A Mixed But Generally Positive Response
Professional critics have offered varied perspectives on the film. Publications like The Guardian and Variety have praised de Armas’s performance and the creative integration of ballet elements. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the film’s “creative” approach, though noting some narrative challenges.
However, not all reviews have been uniformly positive. Some critics, including those from The New York Times and The Atlantic, have questioned whether the film successfully establishes its own identity separate from the main franchise. These mixed opinions reflect the challenge of creating spin-offs that honor the source material while standing independently.
Audience Response: Strong Fan Reception
User ratings tell a more positive story, with the film earning a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb based on over 22,000 reviews. Audience members have particularly appreciated the film’s entertainment value and de Armas’s commitment to the role.
Social media reactions have been enthusiastic, with many viewers praising the innovative choreography and the film’s ability to expand the John Wick universe meaningfully. The general consensus among fans suggests the movie succeeds in delivering the high-energy entertainment they expect from the franchise.
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Strengths and Areas for Improvement
What Works Well:
- Ana de Armas delivers a compelling lead performance
- Innovative blend of ballet and martial arts choreography
- Strong production values and cinematography
- Effective expansion of the John Wick universe
- Solid supporting cast performances
Areas That Could Be Stronger:
- Some critics note plot predictability
- Questions about the film’s standalone identity
- Pacing issues in certain segments
- Limited character development for supporting roles
The Franchise Perspective: Expanding a Beloved Universe
“Ballerina” faces the common challenge of spin-offs: satisfying existing fans while attracting new audiences. The film appears to succeed more with the former than the latter, though its accessibility remains reasonably high for newcomers to the franchise.
The movie’s placement within the timeline allows it to reference familiar elements without being overly dependent on prior knowledge. This balance helps maintain the story’s integrity while serving both dedicated fans and casual viewers.
Final Verdict: Worth Your Time?
For fans of the John Wick series, “Ballerina” offers an entertaining expansion that honors the franchise’s core elements while introducing fresh perspectives. Ana de Armas proves herself capable of carrying an action film, and the technical execution meets the high standards set by previous entries.
Those seeking groundbreaking originality might find the film somewhat familiar, but viewers looking for well-executed entertainment with strong performances will likely leave satisfied. The movie works best when viewed as part of the larger John Wick universe rather than a completely standalone experience.
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Recommendation
“Ballerina” earns a solid recommendation, particularly for action movie enthusiasts and fans of Ana de Armas. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it delivers on its promises of engaging choreography, strong lead performance, and quality entertainment. The theatrical experience is recommended for those who want to fully appreciate the film’s visual and technical achievements.
Whether you’re a longtime John Wick fan or simply enjoy well-crafted films, “Ballerina” provides enough substance and style to justify the watch. It successfully demonstrates that the franchise has room to grow beyond its original protagonist while maintaining the elements that made it popular.
Rating: 7.5/10
Best For: Action movie fans, Ana de Armas admirers, John Wick franchise enthusiasts
Theater vs. Streaming: Theater recommended for full visual impact
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