Ballerina: From the World of John Wick (2025) Movie Review

Ballerina: From the World of John Wick (2025) Movie Review

Over the past 10 years, the John Wick franchise has dominated, proving that the action genre still has a lot to give. Former stuntman turned director, Chad Stahelski, used the relationships he built on the set with Keanu Reeves, capturing the talents of Reeves and his versatility as an action star. The films have grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office, proving to be a massive commercial success, with each instalment also receiving great critical acclaim. It was only a matter of time before the franchise grew, and it has with both ‘The Continental’ gracing the small screen and Ballerina: From the World of John Wick also making its way to the big screen. 

The film was helmed by Director Len Wiseman, who is no stranger to the action genre, helming projects such as: Total Recall 2012, Underworld, Underworld: Evolution and Live Free or Die Hard and starring Ana De Armas, who has also made a name for herself in the genre, with roles in the latest James Bond instalment, No Time To Die and the Russo Brothers helmed action film, ‘The Gray Man. The film was met with great success, making a respectable $138 million at the worldwide box office and critical acclaim as well, holding an impressive certified fresh critical rating of 76% and an audience score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Ballerina introduces us to Eve (played by De Armas), a deadly assassin raised in the Ruska Roma ballet academy, a front for training killers. When her family is murdered, Rooney sets out on a mission of vengeance that’s as precise as her footwork and as ruthless as her training. The film takes us back into the shadowy corridors of the John Wick universe. It’s a stylish, high-octane spin-off that pirouettes between elegance and brutality. It’s a full-throttle revenge thriller that adds depth and dimension to the Wick-verse.

The strengths of the film lie in the talents of Ana De Armas. She is brilliant here, showcasing that she can carry an action franchise. She’s amazing at the stunt work. Fans of the franchise will also appreciate the return of familiar faces, including Keanu Reeves as John Wick himself, Ian McShane as the owner of the Continental Winston, the late, great Lance Reddick Continental Hotel manager Charon and Anjelica Huston reprising her role as the Director. Their appearances aren’t just cameos, they’re connective tissue that binds this story to the larger mythos and lore. They add a lot to the film and it was great seeing them here.  

What sets Ballerina apart is its fusion of grace and violence. The choreography both in dance and combat, is breathtaking to say the least. As mentioned, Ana de Armas delivers a performance that’s equal parts vulnerable and vicious, embodying a character who is as emotionally driven as she is physically lethal. I also appreciated Gabriel Bryne’s turn as the main antagonist of the film ‘The Chancellor’. Westcott also get a brief performance from the great Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine. I wish we got more of him here though, because when he’s on screen he really adds to the film.  

The cinematography is sleek, with moody lighting and stylised action sequences that feel like a ballet of bullets. Every fight is a performance, every kill a step in Eve’s deadly routine. Len Wiseman knows what works here, playing into the wide-angle shots, capturing all the impressive action on screen. I hope he gets another shot at directing a Wick-verse flick because I think he has a lot to add to the franchise. 

Overall, Ballerina expands the lore without feeling like filler. The set pieces are inventive, intense, and beautifully brutal. You don’t need to know the whole Wick saga to enjoy this revenge tale. It’s a thrilling addition to the John Wick universe that stands tall on its own pointe shoes. It’s a story of vengeance told with elegance, a ballet of blood that will leave you breathless. 

Ballerina is available now at Sanity on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K UHD. Grab your copy and step into the shadows of the High Table. Because in this world, revenge is an art form.

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Christopher Pattison from Oz-Movie Geek wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here