An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations total
Ava Joyce McCarthy
- Ella
- (as Ava McCarthy)
Jung Doo-hong
- Il Seong
- (as Doohong Jung)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Ballerina' is praised for its action sequences, choreography, and integration into the John Wick universe. Ana de Armas' performance is often highlighted, with many noting her ability to hold her own in the action scenes. The film's visual style, direction, and music are also commended. However, some reviewers criticize the plot for being repetitive and lacking depth. The character development and emotional resonance are seen as weaker points, with some finding the story and characters unengaging. Despite these criticisms, many still find 'Ballerina' enjoyable and a worthy addition to the franchise. The film's pacing, cinematography, and special effects are frequently mentioned as strong elements. Overall, 'Ballerina' is seen as a solid action film that, while not reaching the heights of the best John Wick movies, provides entertaining and stylish action.
Featured reviews
Plot? What Plot?
Ballerina is an average movie with exciting action sequences but weighed down with an underwhelming story and tired tropes.
The first 20 minutes are a chore with the standard origin story you've seen before but once the action begins, it doesn't let up and 5 minutes don't past between fight scenes. It's clear to see where the reshoots come in as they appear copied and pasted in.
Ana De Armas is the saving grace of the movie and gives a great performance while Keanu has a fun cameo with just the right amount of screen time. It's a shame to say that Gabriel Byrne is wasted as the villian and doesn't do much with the time provided.
The world of John Wick is a brilliant concept and continues to enthrall. I just wish there was more here to expand the lore and put a bit of meat on it. A decent enough time though, just not as great as i expected.
Ballerina is an average movie with exciting action sequences but weighed down with an underwhelming story and tired tropes.
The first 20 minutes are a chore with the standard origin story you've seen before but once the action begins, it doesn't let up and 5 minutes don't past between fight scenes. It's clear to see where the reshoots come in as they appear copied and pasted in.
Ana De Armas is the saving grace of the movie and gives a great performance while Keanu has a fun cameo with just the right amount of screen time. It's a shame to say that Gabriel Byrne is wasted as the villian and doesn't do much with the time provided.
The world of John Wick is a brilliant concept and continues to enthrall. I just wish there was more here to expand the lore and put a bit of meat on it. A decent enough time though, just not as great as i expected.
It's Wickniverse, you're gonna watch it regardless. Just grab a popcorn and suspend your disbelief and enjoy another round of John Wick
If we start with plotholes, inconsistency and logical mindboggleness we'd ended up ruining all the fun.
That's all
But if you need to know I think it's meh. Could have been done better. I get it it's Wickniverse, but not a scratch, not a bruise on Eve, she's what? 5 feet something skinny balerina body? No way she could handle a full blown kick and hits and barely broke a bone. Even her makeup... Not even a single dirt on her pretty face. Not to mention she's mowing everyone down as if she's Jane Wick... I get it she's highly trained by she make those goons looks like cardboard target in some training yard. By the 3rd quarter I'm getting bored. I just think the action is too much and entering Fast Furious level of absurdity, even for Wickniverse.
But then again... We'll be watching it. It's just a solid 7 leave your brain out and enjoy Ana.. i mean... Eve... I mean... Whatever.
If we start with plotholes, inconsistency and logical mindboggleness we'd ended up ruining all the fun.
That's all
But if you need to know I think it's meh. Could have been done better. I get it it's Wickniverse, but not a scratch, not a bruise on Eve, she's what? 5 feet something skinny balerina body? No way she could handle a full blown kick and hits and barely broke a bone. Even her makeup... Not even a single dirt on her pretty face. Not to mention she's mowing everyone down as if she's Jane Wick... I get it she's highly trained by she make those goons looks like cardboard target in some training yard. By the 3rd quarter I'm getting bored. I just think the action is too much and entering Fast Furious level of absurdity, even for Wickniverse.
But then again... We'll be watching it. It's just a solid 7 leave your brain out and enjoy Ana.. i mean... Eve... I mean... Whatever.
I love the John Wick series...the first two were absolutely great, the third was good en the fourth was a bit messy. But I love the storyline.
Then there was Ballerina... When I saw the preview wasnt convinced this would be good, but I wanted to give it a chance. The story, eventhough so simple written, could have been better. Then it all went like a jet... too fast to easy and not really believable. Also not really to feel in line with the character, that she's angry of course, to be top of her class...ah well could be. But then it all goes down the drain. A lot of fights and she manages to "slap" them all without having a scratch.
Someone else said it here in the reviews as well. John Wick had a believable story you saw him suffer. You understood. But now it's all so unbelievably in your face and you don't even have the time to feel her story. And everything she does is really not to believe.
They could've made a great story to build upon, but they really didn't think this through and just made a mess unfortunately.
But if you love a lot kicking and shooting with no real dialogue..pls do watch.
Then there was Ballerina... When I saw the preview wasnt convinced this would be good, but I wanted to give it a chance. The story, eventhough so simple written, could have been better. Then it all went like a jet... too fast to easy and not really believable. Also not really to feel in line with the character, that she's angry of course, to be top of her class...ah well could be. But then it all goes down the drain. A lot of fights and she manages to "slap" them all without having a scratch.
Someone else said it here in the reviews as well. John Wick had a believable story you saw him suffer. You understood. But now it's all so unbelievably in your face and you don't even have the time to feel her story. And everything she does is really not to believe.
They could've made a great story to build upon, but they really didn't think this through and just made a mess unfortunately.
But if you love a lot kicking and shooting with no real dialogue..pls do watch.
Get ready for plenty of fighting and gunfight scenes when you take your seat. Nearly three-quarters of the film consists of this type of scene. While the quality of these scenes is slightly below that of the latest John Wick movies, they are still quite enjoyable. It looks like Ana de Armas must have worked very hard to be able to perform in these scenes. Her efforts deserve respect.
The plot of the movie is extremely simple. Perhaps if it had been slightly deeper and more interesting, the movie would have been better.
Another criticism is that our 50-55 kg main character takes extremely heavy blows from men but recovers in just a few seconds. This wasn't believable or realistic. Similarly, our main character is too emotional to be a death angel.
The grenade scenes were over-the-top and even absurd, but the flamethrower scene was the most entertaining.
The duration of John Wick's scenes may exceed your expectations, but that's a good thing, It was nice to see him.
In summary, if you've watched and enjoyed the John Wick movies, you should watch Ballerina. I hope there will be a sequel.
The plot of the movie is extremely simple. Perhaps if it had been slightly deeper and more interesting, the movie would have been better.
Another criticism is that our 50-55 kg main character takes extremely heavy blows from men but recovers in just a few seconds. This wasn't believable or realistic. Similarly, our main character is too emotional to be a death angel.
The grenade scenes were over-the-top and even absurd, but the flamethrower scene was the most entertaining.
The duration of John Wick's scenes may exceed your expectations, but that's a good thing, It was nice to see him.
In summary, if you've watched and enjoyed the John Wick movies, you should watch Ballerina. I hope there will be a sequel.
This isn't a film, it's a live action video game with a predictable plot and loads of energetically choreographed CGI to substitute for anything vaguely akin to a story. It starts with the young "Eve" (Victoria Comte) who witnesses her father's death at the hands of "The Chancellor" (Gabriel Byrne) before being adopted into the secret society of "John Wick" by "Winston" (Ian McShane) and his drag-like boss (Angelica Huston) where she learns to combine the artistic skills of a ballerina with deadly ninja ones - as she morphs into Ana de Armas (whilst everyone else remains exactly the same). Anyway, none of that really matters as she accidentally discovers the identity of the tribe who ruined her life and despite warnings of dire consequences, sets off on a lethal mission of retribution that takes her to a Czech Republic where everyone speaks perfect English. The thing is, it appears that her gang and the one she is pursuing have a sort of unwritten truce, and given she is about to throw that under the Skoda, Angelica has no choice other than to bring out of retirement the legendary you know who. Will that make anything any different or safer or even less repetitive? It not so much that this is derivative and really quite dull, it's that the dialogue is woeful and the constant frying pan to fire scenarios where people get used and abused are ridiculous. Knives, guns, bottles, pots, pans, kettles - even a pair of ruthlessly applied roller skates and some flamer throwers help our heroine along but it's hilarious that they always appear just when she needs them. She's got the points and gone up a level, She also heals as if she were the sister of "Wolverine" and no amount of training is going to remove a six inch shard of glass from your body without it impeding your ability to scale a wall and wield a pick axe. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but just like the series upon which this is based, it is unoriginal and after the umpteenth time she has survived against innumerable odds to fight again just had me wondering how long until she's back with "Ballerina II - the Pirouette". All of that said, though, it does look good on a cinema screen and that's where it ought to be seen. It will be even more unimpressive on a television where you can easily hit the fast-forward button.
Ana de Armas Shares 'Ballerina' Secrets
Ana de Armas Shares 'Ballerina' Secrets
Ana de Armas talks grenade fights, flamethrowers, and a whole lot more about her time on the Ballerina set alongside her co-stars Norman Reedus and Ian McShane and director Len Wiseman.
Did you know
- TriviaSecond to last role for Lance Reddick before his unexpected death.
- GoofsWhen Eve grabs the fire hose, she doesn't turn the water on. She just walks outside and starts spraying to fight the guy with the flame thrower.
- Crazy creditsThere is a mid-credit dedication for Lionsgate Co-President Jason Constantine who died on June 3, 2025 at the age of 55, after a long battle with cancer. He worked as Summit Entertainment's creative executive on John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), and as a studio executive for Lionsgate on John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019). Constantine is also best known for being an executive producer on the Saw (2004) series of films, as well as all four The Expendables (2010) films, and Texas Chainsaw (2013).
- ConnectionsFeatures Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
- SoundtracksThe Four Seasons: Summer 3
(Robot Koch Remix)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Max Richter
Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon
under license from Universal Music Enterprises
- How long is Ballerina?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
- Filming locations
- Dubrovnik, Croatia(croatia)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $90,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $58,051,327
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $24,501,663
- Jun 8, 2025
- Gross worldwide
- $135,973,188
- Runtime
- 2h 4m(124 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content