Just got out of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, and wow, I’ve got a lot to unpack! Ana de Armas is an absolute beast as Eve Macarro, this fierce woman hell-bent on avenging her dad’s death. If you’re a John Wick fan like me, you’re probably dying to know if this spin-off lives up to the hype. My take? It’s a crazy, action-packed ride that’s a ton of fun, even if it doesn’t quite hit the same heights as Keanu’s best. Let’s break it down.
The Story: Simple but Solid
So, Ballerina takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Eve’s dad gets killed by some shady assassin cult run by this creepy dude, the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), and she’s taken in by Winston (Ian McShane, still cool as ever). The Ruska Roma, led by the super intense Director (Anjelica Huston), train her to be a deadly ballerina—think graceful spins mixed with flamethrowers. The plot’s pretty straight-up revenge stuff, nothing too fancy. Honestly, it felt a little thin at times, like they were just setting up for the big fights. I wanted a bit more depth, but it gets the job done.
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The Action: Holy Chaos, It’s Awesome
The action, though? Oh man, it’s so good, especially in the second half. The first part’s a bit slow with all the training scenes (okay, we get it, Eve’s a badass), but once she starts going after her targets, it’s John Wick insanity. There’s this wild scene in a snowy Austrian village where Eve takes on, like, a whole army of assassins—grenades, ice skates, samurai swords, the works. My jaw dropped during this flamethrower fight that was equal parts brutal and hilarious. It’s got that Wick vibe where you’re wincing but also kinda laughing. Those moments alone made the ticket worth it.
Ana de Armas Steals the Show
Ana de Armas is the star here, no question. She’s got this raw, scrappy energy that’s totally different from John Wick’s cool, calculated style. Eve’s all in on her vengeance quest, and Ana nails every punch, kick, and emotional beat. When they start calling her “Kikimora” (some cool Slavic vengeance spirit), I was like, “Yup, that tracks.” The supporting cast is great too—McShane and Huston are perfect, Norman Reedus is a blast as this rogue assassin Daniel Pine, and seeing Lance Reddick as Charon one last time hit me right in the feels.
That John Wick Cameo Tho
Okay, let’s talk about Keanu Reeves showing up as John Wick. It’s awesome, don’t get me wrong—there’s this one scene where he and Eve have a tense face-off that’s super cool. But it also felt a tiny bit like, “Hey, remember John?” I love the guy, but this is Eve’s movie, you know? His cameo’s fun, but it almost steals her thunder. Also, you can kinda tell they did reshoots (I heard Chad Stahelski stepped in), because some scenes feel a little choppy, like the vibe shifts halfway through.
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Looks Amazing, Feels a Bit Light
The movie looks gorgeous. The neon-lit Prague Continental, the snowy mountains, the moody vibes—it’s got that John Wick style down pat. The soundtrack’s banging, and there’s just enough humor to keep it from getting too dark. But, real talk, the story’s a bit bare. It’s not as deep or clever as Chapter 3 or 4, and sometimes the violence feels like it’s just there to keep things moving. I was all in for the chaos, but I wouldn’t have minded a little more meat to the plot.
Final Verdict: A Fun, Bloody Blast
All in all, Ballerina is a total blast if you’re here for Ana de Armas kicking ass and some jaw-dropping action. It’s not the best John Wick movie, but it’s not trying to be—it’s got its own thing going, and I’m already pumped for a sequel (that ending had me like ). I saw folks on X calling it “a bloody good time” and “Ana’s show,” and I’m right there with them. If you’re into the John Wick world, go see it (it’s out now, June 6, 2025). It’s not perfect, but it left me grinning like an idiot.
My Rating: 3.5/5
Ana de Armas is a badass, the action’s nuts, but the story’s a little light. Still, I had a blast watching Eve tear it up.