From the world of John Wick, Eve Macarro (Ana De Armas) becomes THE woman in a man’s field. A trained Ruska Roma assassin, she’s intent on seeking revenge on the cult that killed her parents, setting ablaze everything and everyone in her path.
★★★☆☆
A spin-off of the John Wick franchise, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro, a young ballerina trained by the Ruska Roma. Other than training in the execution of perfect pliés and pirouettes, she exercises combat training to become an assassin. Having lost her family after her parents were killed by a cult, Eve grows up and chooses the path of revenge. The film follows her journey through a shadowy network of assassins, The Continental, and kept promises. Along the way, Eve comforts her past and the inevitability of destiny, which both shaped her into a killer.
Dialogue is minimal, with the narration relying heavily on visual and audio storytelling and atmosphere. The film deepens the world that we were presented with, building on the strict laws and “rules and consequences” attitude followed by assassins throughout the series. It’s a gracious way of introducing a new wave of characters to the franchise. Once you do a deep dive into his filmography, you will see one of the most talented stunt actors since Buster Keaton, a man willing to put his body on the line in servitude to cinema
Visually, Ballerina stands proud within the stylised world of this franchise. The film’s cinematography is one of its strongest assets. From the iconic neon-lit club fight scene to the shadowy action sequences in the ruins, the filming never disappoints. Locations are varied and vivid—a beautiful theatre, a familiar hotel, and a snow-covered wonderland. All these locations were chosen perfectly for the movie, adding depth and visual curiosity to the plot. Romain Lacourbas’ cinematography and his commitment to the John Wick aesthetic do more than just copy its source—it reinforces the idea that there is a world beyond John Wick’s character.
Where the film stumbles is its writing, which is riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies. Central to the action is Eve’s desire for revenge; however, this motivation feels flat and underdeveloped, and frankly, emotionally unconvincing. The main antagonistic structure, The Cult, the mysterious organisation everyone fears, appears to be very flimsy. Firstly, it doesn’t have a name; everyone just speaks of it as “the cult”. Secondly, the organisation’s role in Eve’s life is frustratingly vague. Why doesn’t the viewer hear about it earlier in the movies, if it is as notoriously merciless as the film describes it? Why do they decide to let Eve live after killing her parents? These questions are crucial to the emotional depth of Eve’s journey to avenge her parents, yet they are left unanswered, a fact which strains the credibility of the protagonist’s intentions. The narrative more often than not assumes that the revenge plot (as seen in the first John Wick movie) will compensate for every overlooked detail. However, as a result, the stakes feel empty, and the plot twists fall short.
Ballerina does bring back a familiar set of faces that will please longtime fans. The return of characters such as Winston (Ian McShane), New York Continental concierge Charon (the late Lance Reddick) and John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves) again roots the film in its broader universe. John’s interactions with Eve see him strongly advise her to stop seeking revenge, because he knows there is no coming back from the person you become in the process. The character that Keanu Reeves portrays adds a sense of legitimacy and offers a parallel between him and Eve, played by Ana De Armas. This is highlighted during their interactions, where John Wick strongly advises Eve to stop seeking revenge, because he knows there is no coming back from the person you become. During their dialogues, Eve is portrayed as the female version of John Wick, her slicked-back hair and fighting style visually amplifying their similarities.
The Verdict
Ballerina is a successful extension of the John Wick universe, with a pleasing visual aesthetic true to the franchise. However, despite strong performances, the film is held back by an underdeveloped script and a lack of real emotional weight. A graceful spin-off that never quite lands that pirouette.
Words by Ecaterina Vasiloi
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