From the World of John Wick: Ballerina keeps the franchise’s signature action in motion, with Ana de Armas bringing real physical commitment to the lead. But its revenge story and dialogue are less compelling than its set pieces. The result is an energetic spin-off, not an unqualified sign that the series has found a new John Wick.
What is Ballerina?
Released theatrically in the United States on June 6, 2025, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a franchise spin-off centered on Eve Macarro, played by Ana de Armas. Eve is an orphan raised in the Ruska Roma assassin tradition who sets out to avenge her father’s murder. The official film site describes it as a John Wick spin-off and says viewers do not need to have seen the earlier films, though familiarity can add context to its lore: official film site.
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![Ballerina - BLURAY, Digital, 4K ULTRA HD [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Zi4XNZAAL._SL160_.jpg)
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Ballerina - BLURAY, Digital, 4K ULTRA HD [4K UHD] | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Ballerina [Blu-ray] [2017] | $15.84 | Buy on Amazon |
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Ballerina Blu-ray | Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas | From the World of John Wick | Region B (Australia) | $21.76 | Buy on Amazon |
The story takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4; the Associated Press describes the events as occurring during the third film. That placement allows returning figures and institutions to appear without making Eve a replacement for John Wick.
Does the action keep the franchise alive?
Action is the strongest reason to watch. Los Angeles Times critic Amy Nicholson praises the choreography and de Armas’s physical commitment, while Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck points to clever early action and unexpected moments. The appeal is not simply that Eve fights her way through danger: the staging and unusual weapons give the film opportunities to vary its confrontations.
#1 Best Overall
- A young female assassin seeks revenge against the people who killed her family.
That invention does not sustain every sequence equally. Noveck finds that later action becomes numbing, a useful qualification to the idea that the film is consistently exhilarating. Its best stretches show how a familiar franchise style can still surprise; its weaker ones risk turning escalation into repetition.
Can Ana de Armas carry a John Wick spin-off?
De Armas makes a convincing physical center for the film. The Los Angeles Times and TIME both recognize the appeal of her action presence, even as TIME is less persuaded by Eve as written. Her performance gives the spin-off a distinct lead rather than relying on John Wick’s presence to supply its identity.
Rank #2
- The disk has English audio.
Keanu Reeves does appear as John Wick, but only briefly: TIME describes a few scenes, and the Los Angeles Times characterizes his part as a cameo. Anjelica Huston returns as the Director, Ian McShane as Winston, and Lance Reddick appears as Charon in his final role, according to the Los Angeles Times. These connections root Eve’s story in the established world without turning the film into a full John Wick ensemble.
Where do the story and dialogue fall short?
The revenge premise gives Eve a clear objective, but the emotional force behind it is less persuasive than the physical action. Nicholson identifies a weak plot and repetitive dialogue; TIME likewise finds that the character and dialogue do not resonate strongly. Those shortcomings matter because the film asks viewers to invest in Eve’s personal grievance, not only in the next fight.
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- Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Gabriel Byrne, Anjelica Huston
Gabriel Byrne plays the Chancellor, the antagonist tied to Eve’s revenge. Norman Reedus and Catalina Sandino Moreno play members of his group. Their presence helps frame the conflict, but the central critical reservation remains the writing: the film’s familiar franchise world and capable cast do not consistently make the revenge story feel fresh or affecting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Ballerina worth watching if you like John Wick?
If the appeal of the franchise is its choreography, inventive combat and stylized underworld, Ballerina offers enough of that language to make the trip worthwhile. If you need a tightly developed revenge story or dialogue that gives the characters much to hold on to, the film is a less certain recommendation. It works best as an action-led expansion of the franchise, with de Armas at its center, rather than as a dramatic reinvention.
That is a critical synthesis, not a claim of unanimous reviewer or audience opinion. AP gave the film two stars out of four; Nicholson and TIME emphasize different strengths and weaknesses. Their reviews support a mixed verdict: energetic action and a committed lead, held back by a thin-feeling story and distracting dialogue.
Quick Recap
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| U.S. theatrical release | June 6, 2025, according to the official film site |
| Runtime | 125 minutes, according to the Associated Press |
| U.S. rating | R for strong/bloody violence throughout and language, according to the Associated Press |
| Timeline | Between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4; the Associated Press places it during Chapter 3 |
| AP rating | Two stars out of four, the rating published by Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck |
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