🩰Ballerina Is All About broadens the John Wick universe with a stand-in revenge story based on an assassin under Ruska Roma training. She sets out to exact revenge following the death of her father, a tried-and-true concept that fits rather nicely in the Wick-verse.
Yes, it’s familiar. Yes, it’s been done before. But the execution? The execution is stylish, brutal, and truly impressive.
💥 The Action: Brutal, Beautiful, and Blood-Soaked
If you’re here for the action (and let’s be honest, you are), Ballerina delivers in spades.
Long, wide takes reminiscent of the John Wick series
Unflinching choreography packed with intensity
A flamethrower battle that’s one of the best sequences in the franchise
A pounding, moody score from Tyler Bates
The DNA of John Wick is alive and well in every frame, and Len Wiseman knows how to shoot clean, kinetic combat.
⭐ The Heart of the Film is Ana de Armas.
Ana de Armas shows she is more than suited to spearhead an action franchise.
She performs:
Physically committed
grounded in emotions
Not afraid to show sensitivity between murders.
She stood out in No Time to Die, and Ballerina feels like a logical development of that potential. While some stunt double work is noticeable, it never distracts — it pays tribute to the real people behind the action, just like in John Wick.
🕴️ Keanu Reeves & Lance Reddick Appearances
Let’s address the marketing up front:
Yes, Keanu Reeves is in the movie, and no, it’s not a cameo.
He plays a sizable role in the third act, which is arguably the movie’s best stretch.
Also, the late Lance Reddick appears in a supporting role — a bittersweet surprise. Seeing him on screen again is a touching reminder of what we’ve lost.
✅ What Works (and Doesn’t)? Top-notch, stylised, well-executed action that is interesting.
Ana de Armas stars the movie to anchor it.
a last act with just compensation.
Excellent editing and graphic design that maintain the action beat pace.
❌ What Falls Short: The narrative seems flimsy even by Wick-verse criteria.
Emotional arcs begin but do not entirely settle before the next gunfight.
Pacing can seem jagged, flitting between brief emotional reflection and protracted chaos.
🛠️ Reshoot Rumours: Why They Don’t Matter
Online rumours of the film’s difficult production and reshoots abound. Here’s the truth:
Reshoots are normal. Almost every major film budgets for them.
What really matters is the finished product — and Ballerina holds its own. People won’t remember the headlines; they’ll remember flamethrowers, knife fights, and Ana de Armas spinning through fire.
🔁 Would I Watch a Sequel?
Absolutely. This feels like a first step into a corner of the Wick universe that could grow.
With Ballerina, Lionsgate has a solid foundation. Lessons from this production will undoubtedly help shape a smoother sequel — and De Armas deserves another round to build this character further.
🎬 Final Verdict
Ballerina isn’t as lore-heavy or operatic as the mainline John Wick films, but it’s a highly enjoyable, tightly-crafted action film that gives us:
A fantastic new lead in Ana de Armas
Some of the franchise’s best set pieces
A satisfying, explosive third act payoff
It’s not flawless, but it’s fun, fierce, and totally worth a watch — especially for fans hungry for more from this universe.
🎯 Final Score: A stylish, flamethrower-fueled spin-off with enough action to satisfy Wick diehards.
📺 Thanks for Reading!
Look out for more reviews soon.
