Nobody requested for a John Wick film (largely) with out John Wick. And but, Ballerina makes a powerful case for why this universe may simply survive with out Keanu Reeves’ terse, swimsuit-clad poster boy.
Spinoffs are tough, particularly after they orbit a personality as singular as John Wick. Since 2014, the franchise has constructed a whole mythology round Reeves’ grief-stricken Baba Yaga, a person of few phrases and plenty of, many weapons.
However with Chapter 5 probably closing the e book on his blood-soaked journey, the focus has shifted to increasing the world he’ll go away behind – a world the place violence is artwork and vengeance is ritual.
Enter Eve, Ana de Armas’ ballerina murderer raised by the identical Ruska Roma syndicate that molded Wick himself. Whereas the new film doesn’t fairly match the story of its predecessors, when the blades are flying and the bullets are dancing, it delivers precisely what it guarantees: lovely, balletic carnage.
What’s Ballerina about?
Set between the occasions of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows Eve (Armas), a graduate of the Ruska Roma’s brutal ballerina-murderer coaching program, on a revenge mission tied to her tragic previous.
When she acknowledges a mark on a goal’s wrist – the identical one seen on those that murdered her father – she spirals right into a bloody pursuit involving cults, bounty hunters, and an entire city stuffed with killers.
Whereas Eve is the predominant star right here, the OG gang make an look in a method or one other; Reeves’ Baba Yaga, Ian McShane’s Winston, and even Lance Reddick’s Charon in a posthumous look.
However the motion is the star right here – and it’s super. Epic flamethrower showdowns, wince-inducing ice skate blows, and extra stabs and photographs than you’ll be able to shake a bloodied fist at, the kills are as artistic as they’re absurd.
From the John Wick college of violence
With its prolific, elaborate battle sequences, Ballerina suits squarely into the John Wick universe, and in some situations, it takes issues even additional – one notable loss of life is so violent, it edges into Quentin Tarantino territory (you’ll understand it whenever you see it).
Though Chad Stahelski steps again from the director’s chair, serving as producer this time round, his affect is plain. The fluid motion that defines the franchise is alive and nicely, sharpened additional by director Len Wiseman’s aptitude for prime-idea spectacle.
The choreography is the place all of it comes collectively. Along with the 87Eleven group – lengthy-time architects of the franchise’s most memorable fights – they craft set-items which might be each vicious and sleek, with Armas not lacking one beat.
This isn’t the solely manner Ballerina lets you recognize it’s a John Wick movie. Visually, it mirrors the stylized aesthetic of its predecessors. The digital camera strikes with kinetic goal, whereas stark, contrasting lighting and a purple-pink palette nods to the legal underworld through which it’s set.
The story loses its steadiness
LionsgateWhat Ballerina lacks, nonetheless, is a narrative that may sustain with its choreography. Regardless of the movie’s non-cease momentum, the plot feels each too busy and too boring, with a variety of transferring components that by no means fairly click on.
The John Wick movies are outlandish, sure, however they’re grounded in easy, efficient motivations – John’s canine, his grief, his guidelines. Ballerina tries to echo this with Eve’s vendetta, however races by means of exposition and aspect characters too rapidly to construct actual connections.
John Wick: Chapter 3’s Continental siege, for example, labored not only for its motion, however as a result of it carried the weight of three movies’ price of alliances and lore. Ballerina doesn’t have that basis – its fights look nice, however with out deeper context, even the most outrageous moments can begin to blur collectively.
This hurts the characters, too. Catalina Sandino Moreno’s Lena and Norman Reedus’ Pine are intriguing however underdeveloped. Gabriel Byrne’s Chancellor is a powerful villain, however once more, his presence is extra of an thought than a completely fleshed-out risk.
Then you definately’ve received all the others to take into consideration: Winston, the Director (Anjelica Huston), Charon, and, in fact, John Wick himself. There are just too many characters jostling for display screen time.
One Wick, many sturdy performances
LionsgateAs for Reeves’ transient look as Wick, right here’s the kicker: it primarily highlights what’s lacking from the movie. Not each murderer can command the display screen like the Boogeyman. There are numerous Eves, however there’s just one John Wick.
That’s not to completely discredit the character. It’s refreshing to see a feminine murderer written with such complexity. Eve isn’t hyper-sexualised or glibly “sturdy” – she’s damaged but resilient.
Armas sells each second, each in fight and in quieter, emotional beats. She’s an motion star by means of and thru, slicing by means of stunt sequences with full conviction.
Byrne brings the identical simmering menace he had in Finish of Days and The Normal Suspects, Reedus does nicely with what he’s given, and whereas McShane can play Winston in his sleep at this level, his dry attraction is at all times welcome.
Lastly, a heartfelt nod to Reddick, whose posthumous look as Charon is dealt with with actual care. Followers dissatisfied by his abrupt exit in John Wick 4 can be happy to know he will get a much more becoming ship-off right here.
These performances elevate the film, alongside its killer battle sequences and visible fashion. If what you’re after is motion – and many it – Ballerina delivers. It might stumble when it comes to story, however rattling if it isn’t enjoyable to watch.
Ballerina assessment rating: 3/5 – Good
There’s no mistaking Ballerina for something however a John Wick film. From the neon-drenched lighting to the bone-crunching, blood-splattered battle sequences, this spinoff makes itself at dwelling in the franchise.
It’s slick, violent, and trendy – generally excessively so. The narrative could lack focus, and the ensemble is likely to be overstuffed, however there’s no denying the movie’s technical craft. The motion scenes are many, and so they’re masterfully choreographed.
Ballerina could not have the soul of the John Wick saga, nevertheless it certain is aware of how to pirouette by means of chaos.
Ballerina arrives in cinemas on June 6, 2025. You may as well learn every part we find out about John Wick 5, why Child Yaga isn’t really useless, and different new motion pictures to watch this month.
For extra data on how we rating TV exhibits and flicks, take a look at our scoring tips right here.
