Ballerina (2025) Movie Bollyflix
The John Wick universe expands its deadly ballet with “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” a spin-off that proves the franchise’s mythology can support compelling standalone stories. The film features returning franchise favorites including Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role as John Wick, alongside Ian McShane as Winston, and Anjelica Huston as The Director.
| Film Name | Ballerina |
| Genre(s) | Action, Crime, Thriller |
| Starring Cast | Anjelica Huston, Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas |
| Directed By | Len Wiseman |
| Release | 4 Jun 2025 |
| Film Duration | 2h 5m |
| Production Banner | Thunder Road, 87Eleven |
| IMDb Score | 7.121/10 star |
| Main Lead | Ana de Armas |
Principal photography occurred from November 2022 to January 2023 in Prague, with additional action sequences shot starting in February 2024. What makes this entry particularly noteworthy is its focus on the Ruska Roma, the ballet company that serves as a front for training deadly assassins. The film represents a significant investment in expanding the Continental Hotel universe, bringing fresh perspectives while maintaining the stylistic DNA that made the original series a cultural phenomenon.
Ballerina Cast Names
| Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Keanu Reeves | John Wick |
| Anjelica Huston | The Director |
| Catalina Sandino Moreno | Lena |
| Robert Maaser | Dex |
| Ana de Armas | Eve Macarro |
| Norman Reedus | Daniel Pine |
| Gabriel Byrne | The Chancellor |
| Lance Reddick | Charon |
| Sharon Duncan-Brewster | Nogi |
| Ian McShane | Winston |
Plot and Storyline
The narrative centers on Rooney, played by Ana de Armas, whose quest for vengeance drives the film’s emotional core. Following the brutal murder of her father, Rooney must navigate the treacherous world of the High Table while seeking justice against those responsible. The story unfolds within the established John Wick mythology, exploring the intricate network of assassins and their codes of conduct.
What sets Ballerina apart from its predecessors is its intimate approach to the revenge narrative. The film delves deeper into the Ruska Roma’s traditions, showing how ballet training transforms into lethal combat skills. The plot structure follows a familiar trajectory but adds layers of complexity through Rooney’s internal struggle between her artistic passion and her assassin training.
The screenplay manages to balance exposition for newcomers while rewarding longtime fans with deeper lore exploration. However, some critics noted that certain plot points feel predictable, following well-established revenge thriller conventions.
Cast Performance
Ana de Armas proves herself a formidable lead, carrying the film with a blend of vulnerability and lethal grace. Her performance as Rooney showcases remarkable physical transformation and emotional depth, convincingly portraying both the elegance of a trained ballerina and the ruthless efficiency of a skilled assassin. De Armas underwent extensive training for the role, and her commitment shows in every fight sequence.
Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick, though his role is more limited than in the main series. His presence serves both as a bridge to the broader franchise and as a mentor figure to Rooney’s character. The chemistry between de Armas and Reeves feels natural, with their scenes together highlighting mutual respect between two skilled assassins.
The supporting cast delivers solid performances, with Ian McShane reprising his role as Winston with his characteristic wit and gravitas. Anjelica Huston returns as The Director, bringing depth to the Ruska Roma’s leadership structure.
Direction and Cinematography
Director Len Wiseman, known for his work on the Underworld series, brings his expertise in stylized action to the John Wick universe. His direction maintains the franchise’s signature style while introducing elements that reflect the film’s unique ballet-inspired aesthetic. The choreography seamlessly blends classical ballet movements with brutal combat, creating fight sequences that are both beautiful and visceral.
The cinematography captures the dual nature of Rooney’s world – the pristine elegance of the ballet studio contrasts sharply with the gritty underworld of assassins. Prague’s architecture provides a stunning backdrop, with the film making excellent use of the city’s gothic and baroque elements. The camera work during action sequences maintains the franchise’s preference for longer takes and wide shots.
Wiseman’s pacing keeps the film moving briskly through its runtime. The director succeeds in creating a distinct visual identity for Ballerina while ensuring it feels like a natural extension of the John Wick world.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Ballerina received a positive critical response, with 75% of 230 critics’ reviews being positive on Rotten Tomatoes. The Tomatometer currently sits at 78% against 80 reviews, though the exact percentage varies slightly as more reviews continue to be published.
Critics describe Ana de Armas as “a lethal and graceful action hero in Ballerina, a stellar pivot from the John Wick franchise that stylishly delivers a new violent dance with death”. However, the film holds a 71% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the lowest among the whole John Wick movie franchise.
Professional reviews from major outlets have been generally favorable, with praise focusing on the lead performance, action choreography, and visual style. Critics have praised de Armas’s performance and the film’s action sequences while noting some issues with plot predictability.
What I Liked About the Film
The film’s greatest strength lies in Ana de Armas’s committed performance and physical transformation. I found her portrayal of Rooney authentic and earned, avoiding the trap of simply copying John Wick’s stoic demeanor. Instead, she brings her own emotional palette to the role, making Rooney feel like a distinct character within the shared universe.
The action choreography deserves special mention for its creativity and execution. I was genuinely impressed by the ballet-inspired fight sequences, which are innovative and use dance movements as the foundation for combat in ways that feel both elegant and brutal. These scenes represent some of the most visually striking moments I’ve seen in the entire franchise.
I appreciated the film’s exploration of the Ruska Roma, which adds valuable depth to the John Wick mythology. Rather than simply referencing previous films, Ballerina expands the lore in meaningful ways that enhance our understanding of this criminal underworld.
Areas That Could Be Better
While Ballerina succeeds in many areas, I noticed it’s not without its shortcomings. The plot follows a somewhat predictable trajectory that veteran action fans may find overly familiar. Despite the unique ballet angle, the basic revenge structure hits many expected beats without significant surprises.
I found some pacing issues, particularly in the middle act where character development occasionally slows the momentum. The film sometimes struggles to balance its dual identity as both a standalone story and a franchise entry.
The villain’s characterization received criticism for being underdeveloped compared to the more memorable antagonists in previous John Wick films. This weakness in the opposition makes some of Rooney’s challenges feel less impactful than they should be.
Box Office Performance
The film grossed $55.6 million worldwide, which represents a solid if not spectacular performance for a spin-off entry. The numbers reflect both the strength of the John Wick brand and the drawing power of Ana de Armas as a leading action star.
The film’s cultural impact extends beyond box office numbers, as it represents a successful expansion of the John Wick universe that proves the mythology can support multiple perspectives and protagonists.
Final Verdict
“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” succeeds as both a worthy addition to the franchise and a showcase for Ana de Armas’s action credentials. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it spins the familiar elements with enough style and skill to justify its existence. The film respects the source material while carving out its own identity, particularly through its unique ballet-inspired action sequences.
For fans of the John Wick series, Ballerina offers satisfying expansion of the beloved universe with strong action sequences and solid performances. Newcomers to the franchise may find themselves drawn into the larger mythology. Despite some predictable plot elements and pacing issues, the film delivers enough spectacular action and emotional moments to recommend it to action fans.
The movie ultimately proves that the John Wick universe has room for multiple perspectives and that Ana de Armas can carry an action franchise on her shoulders. While it may not reach the heights of the original John Wick films, Ballerina dances to its own deadly beat with enough grace and power to earn its place in the expanding Continental Hotel universe.
