From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) Movie – HDHub4u
The John Wick universe continues to expand with its latest offering, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, a spin-off that proves the franchise’s ability to reinvent itself. Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, this action thriller follows an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization. The film brings together a stellar cast including Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role as John Wick.
| Film Name: | Ballerina |
| Directed By: | Len Wiseman |
| Featured Cast: | Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Keanu Reeves |
| Lead Star: | Ana de Armas |
| Duration: | 2h 5m |
| Category: | Action, Crime, Thriller |
| Launch Date: | 4 Jun 2025 |
| Studio: | Thunder Road, 87Eleven |
| Score: | 7.121/10 |
Released in the United States on June 6, 2025, Ballerina represents a significant expansion of the John Wick mythology. Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film explores the deadly world of ballet-trained assassins. The movie offers audiences a fresh perspective on the Continental’s shadowy underworld.
Ballerina Cast Details
| Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Anjelica Huston | The Director |
| Lance Reddick | Charon |
| Norman Reedus | Daniel Pine |
| Robert Maaser | Dex |
| Ana de Armas | Eve Macarro |
| Sharon Duncan-Brewster | Nogi |
| Gabriel Byrne | The Chancellor |
| Catalina Sandino Moreno | Lena |
| Keanu Reeves | John Wick |
| Ian McShane | Winston |
Plot and Storyline
The narrative follows Eve Macarro, a young woman whose life changes when her father becomes a victim of the criminal underworld. The story unfolds as Eve begins her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. This unique premise allows the film to explore themes of revenge, family, and the cost of violence.
What sets Ballerina apart is its integration of dance as both metaphor and method. The film uses ballet not just as background training but as a fundamental part of its action choreography. The story structure follows a familiar trajectory of loss, training, and eventual confrontation.
The connection to the broader John Wick timeline is seamlessly woven throughout. The film’s placement during the events of Chapter 3 allows it to explore parts of the Continental’s world that were previously only hinted at.
Cast Performances
Ana de Armas proves herself a formidable lead, carrying the film with a blend of vulnerability and lethal grace. Her portrayal of Eve Macarro demonstrates both the physical demands of the role and the emotional depth required. De Armas successfully transforms into a convincing action star capable of handling the franchise’s demanding choreography.
Keanu Reeves’ return as John Wick provides the film with its necessary connection to the broader franchise. His presence feels organic rather than forced, serving the story while giving fans the John Wick moments they crave. Ian McShane continues to bring gravitas to his role as Winston.
The supporting cast provides solid performances that help ground the film’s more fantastical elements. Each actor understands the specific tone that John Wick films require.
Direction and Visual Style
Len Wiseman brings a distinctive visual approach that complements the John Wick aesthetic while establishing its own identity. The director’s experience with stylized action serves the material well. The film maintains the franchise’s signature gun-fu style while introducing dance-inspired fighting.
The cinematography captures both the elegance of ballet and the visceral impact of violence. Prague serves as an excellent backdrop, with its historic architecture providing European elegance. The production design maintains the John Wick series’ attention to detail.
The action sequences are choreographed with precision one would expect from a film centered on ballet-trained assassins. Each fight feels like a performance, with movements that are both practical and graceful.
Critical Reception and Ratings
The film has received generally positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes shows 75% of 230 critics’ reviews being positive. The website describes it as equipping Ana de Armas with creatively brutal action choreography and a pleasingly unique origin story.
While the spinoff achieved a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it represents the lowest among the entire John Wick movie franchise. However, the audience score tells a different story, tying with John Wick: Chapter 4 for the best audience score. This suggests that while critics had higher expectations, general audiences embraced the film’s approach.
Early reactions praised the film as absolute mayhem from start to finish. Critics highlighted how the spin-off elevates a standard revenge story with over-the-top action and a strong lead performance.
What I Liked About the Film
I found the film’s greatest strength in its commitment to its central concept. The integration of ballet into action sequences creates something genuinely unique within the action genre. Ana de Armas’ performance impressed me as she brought both physical credibility and emotional weight to her role.
The world-building continues the John Wick tradition effectively. The Ruska Roma organization feels like a natural extension of the Continental’s world. I appreciated how the film’s visual style successfully differentiates itself while remaining recognizably part of the franchise.
The action choreography deserves praise for finding new ways to present familiar elements. The ballet-inspired fighting styles create sequences that feel fresh while maintaining intensity.
Areas That Could Be Better
I noticed that the film occasionally struggles with the challenge many spin-offs face. While the revenge plot provides clear motivation, the story sometimes feels like it’s going through motions. The narrative doesn’t quite achieve the mythic quality that made the original John Wick compelling.
The film’s pacing can be uneven in my opinion. Some sequences feel rushed while others linger too long on setup. The balance between action and character development could be refined.
I also felt that while the connection to the broader timeline is generally well-handled, some moments feel more obligatory than organic. The film works best when charting its own course.
Box Office Performance
The film has grossed $55.6 million worldwide since its release. For a spin-off film, these numbers suggest audiences are interested in exploring different corners of the John Wick universe.
The international box office performance will likely determine the future of potential sequels. The film’s European setting may particularly resonate with international audiences.
Final Verdict
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina succeeds in its primary mission of expanding the franchise’s world while telling its own story. While it may not reach the heights of the original films, it offers enough unique elements to justify its existence. Ana de Armas proves herself capable of carrying an action franchise.
The film works best when it embraces its ballet-inspired concept fully, creating genuinely innovative action sequences. For John Wick fans, it offers an interesting glimpse into a different part of the Continental’s world. Action movie enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in its stylized violence and impressive choreography.
Ballerina sets up potential future installments while standing as a complete narrative. It’s a successful spin-off that honors its source material while carving out its own identity in the ever-expanding John Wick universe.