Ana de Armas, who played opposite Keanu Reeves a decade earlier, finds herself back in the same movie universe in Ballerina, a spinoff of Reeves’ iconic John Wick franchise.
In the paranoid world of John Wick, everyone seems to be a hitman — the guy at the newsstand, the subway rider, the sidewalk busker, or even the nice neighbor on the elevator — all possible deadly contract killers.
As such, it is little wonder that “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” pushes this idea to its inevitable conclusion: a village in which each citizen is a professional assassin. Located in a quaint, snow-covered Austrian town, the populace can be dressed up in wool beanies and fashionable sweaters, but their occupants are also armed with flamethrowers, and even children in the schools receive compulsory gun training.
The opening scenes of the movie, which are filmed within this offbeat alpine community, are perhaps the most interesting ones in the film, with surprising twists and moments of humor — not typically features of the generally glum tone of the John Wick franchise.
Ana de Armas lends some much-needed zip to her part, especially during one memorable scene where she has a plate-breaking duel with a nice-looking waitress who proves to be a cold-blooded assassin. These scenes are evidence that action can be smart and creative, even in a franchise that was once decried as relentlessly, treadmill-tumbling violent.
Streaming Details
The film will eventually be available on Starz and Peacock but the date hasn’t not been released yet. Ballerina will be available to watch on PVOD platforms like Fandango At Home. The film may also become available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run, potentially around late August 2025.
World of John Wick: Ballerina, released by Lionsgate, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “strong/bloody violence throughout, and language.” Running time: 125 minutes.
