From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) – Full Review & Breakdown
A Viciously Elegant Spin-Off That Dances Between Vengeance and Violence
The John Wick cinematic universe expands in spectacular, blood-slicked style with From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025). Directed by Len Wiseman and penned by Shay Hatten, this kinetic spin-off slides between Chapter 3: Parabellum and Chapter 4, focusing on a new assassin protagonist—Eve Macarro, played by the magnetic Ana de Armas.
This in-depth review explores the film's plot, cast, action sequences, critical reception, and place within the greater John Wick timeline—crafted with rich, SEO-optimized long-tail keywords for action movie fans, franchise followers, and Ana de Armas admirers alike.
🎥 Plot Summary: Who Is Eve Macarro?
Set in the stylized, brutal world that fans have come to love, Ballerina (2025) follows Eve Macarro, a trained ballerina-turned-assassin. Orphaned and adopted by the Ruska Roma, Eve grows up under the strict, unforgiving mentorship of The Director (played again by Anjelica Huston). The narrative is a revenge thriller at its core: Eve’s father—himself a former killer—is murdered by a hidden faction within the High Table's orbit.
Determined to uncover and dismantle the shadowy cult responsible, Eve travels from the dark underbelly of Prague to the lavish—and lethal—corners of the Continental underworld. Along the way, she confronts figures from her past and present, including Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick, in his final role), and the legendary John Wick himself, in a well-placed, action-packed cameo by Keanu Reeves.
🌟 Cast & Character Performances
- Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro: Fierce, vulnerable, and mesmerizing. De Armas embodies the pain and poise of her character with remarkable physicality and grace.
- Gabriel Byrne as The Chancellor: A new villainous face in the John Wick saga, overseeing a twisted moral cult operating in the shadows.
- Norman Reedus: Delivers gritty, rough-edged charm as a black-market arms dealer and potential ally.
- Anjelica Huston: Returns as The Director with icy command, anchoring Eve’s origins to the Ruska Roma.
- Lance Reddick and Ian McShane: Reprise their iconic roles, offering narrative links and emotional depth.
De Armas carries the film with her charisma, while the ensemble adds both franchise familiarity and fresh intrigue.
💥 Action Sequences & Choreography
If you're searching for brutal ballet-inspired fight choreography, Ballerina delivers in spades. The film reimagines dance as destruction: precision kicks, knife work with artistic flair, and even combat scenes on ice.
Highlights include:
- A flamethrower assault in a chandelier-lit ballroom.
- A stealth assassination sequence set during an actual ballet performance.
- A climactic knife-and-pistol fight against cult enforcers on a frozen lake—both poetic and savage.
Director Len Wiseman balances fluid camera work with close-quarter brutality, while Chad Stahelski reportedly helped fine-tune the choreography to stay true to the John Wick franchise's signature style.
🧩 Timeline & Franchise Connections
This spin-off is a bridge between Parabellum and Chapter 4. It expands lore around the Ruska Roma, introduces new High Table mythology, and sets up threads for future spin-offs or sequels.
- Keanu Reeves’ John Wick appears in a pivotal third-act scene, offering Eve both warning and wisdom.
- Flashbacks reference key moments from Parabellum, tying Eve’s past to Wick’s actions.
- Dialogue hints at a larger conspiracy within the High Table—suggesting a more complex hierarchy than seen in earlier films.
📊 Critical Reception & Audience Response
Critics are divided but intrigued:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 75% critics score, 94% audience rating.
- Praise: Ana de Armas's performance, imaginative set pieces, and immersive world-building.
- Criticism: A thin plot and slightly formulaic revenge arc.
Despite mixed critiques, Ballerina is already being hailed as a bold stylistic step for the franchise and a strong showcase for female-led action storytelling.
🧠 Themes and Symbolism
Beyond bullets and blades, Ballerina explores:
- Grief and transformation through art and violence.
- Female rage and autonomy, especially within a male-dominated assassin order.
- The intersection of tradition and rebellion, seen in Eve’s conflict with her Ruska Roma roots.
This thematic depth sets it apart from more straightforward action flicks, giving the film emotional texture.
📝 Final Verdict: Is Ballerina Worth Watching?
Absolutely. If you're a fan of the John Wick franchise, Ballerina (2025) is a must-watch. It introduces a compelling new character in Eve Macarro, expands the lore in fresh directions, and delivers some of the most stylistic and emotionally charged action of the series so far.
Despite a few pacing hiccups and a familiar revenge-driven narrative, Ana de Armas proves herself as a commanding action lead, and Ballerina succeeds as both a tribute to and evolution of the Wickverse.