Imagine the adrenaline pumping as bullets fly and vengeance fuels a fierce dance of combat. Ballerina, the first spin-off from the iconic John Wick franchise, thrusts audiences into a world of relentless action and deep emotional stakes. Set between the events of John Wick 3 and John Wick 4, the film features Ana de Armas as Eve, a skilled assassin on a mission to avenge her father’s death.
Filming wrapped in 2022, marking the late Lance Reddick‘s final appearance as Charon. However, the film faced a delay, reportedly due to a stringent three-month reshoot period overseen by Chad Stahelski, who helmed the previous entries, even in the absence of director Len Wiseman. This gamble to ensure the franchise’s integrity was a calculated risk, but early reviews confirm it was worth it; Ballerina seamlessly enriches the engaging universe of John Wick.
Following her impressive turn as a Bond girl in No Time to Die, de Armas proves she’s a thrilling lead. She excels in some of the franchise’s most electrifying sequences, introducing inventive uses of hand grenades and flamethrowers. Fans will be pleased that Keanu Reeves isn’t just making a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo. He features dominantly right from the start, recreating tense moments from Chapter 3 from a fresh angle before facing off against Eve later on.
The supporting cast elevates the film with familiar faces like Ian McShane, Reddick, and Anjelica Huston, who add much-needed depth. Plus, a brief appearance by Norman Reedus adds star power. Still, villain Gabriel Byrne falls a tad flat, lacking the vibrancy of the antagonists from Chapter 4, portrayed by Bill Skarsgard and Scott Adkins. However, this grounded approach is a refreshing change from the lengthy, over-the-top action pieces seen before, keeping it engaging without getting too indulgent.
Ballerina opens in UK cinemas this Friday, and fans are hopeful for a thrilling collaboration between de Armas and Reeves in the much-anticipated John Wick 5.