Welcome To MovieAnimeX ! If you’re a fan of John Wick’s gun-fu chaos or anime’s high-octane action, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (released June 6, 2025) might just be your next obsession. Starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin, this spin-off dives into the John Wick universe with a vengeance-driven story set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. But does it match the Baba Yaga’s legendary flair, or is it just a flashy imitation? Let’s break it down with MovieAnimeX’s take, including the good, the bad, and our final verdict but before we start here’s a spoiler alert.
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Ratings:
- MovieAnimeX:- 8.2/10
- Imdb:- 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score:- 93%
- Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score:- 76%
The Good: Explosive Action and Ana de Armas’ Star Power
Ballerina delivers what John Wick fans crave: jaw-dropping action that feels like a love letter to stunt performers. The second half of the film is where it truly shines, with fight scenes that are as creative as they are brutal. Picture this: Eve wielding ice skates like nunchucks, smashing glass plates over heads, and engaging in a flamethrower duel that’s straight out of an anime fever dream. These sequences, especially a chaotic showdown in an Austrian village where everyone’s an assassin, are pure adrenaline. Critics on X call it “absolute mayhem from start to finish” with “mind-blowing fight scenes” that rival the mainline John Wick films.
Ana de Armas is the heart of Ballerina. Her portrayal of Eve Macarro—a young woman trained by the Ruska Roma to be a graceful yet deadly killer—is both fierce and vulnerable. Unlike John Wick’s stoic Baba Yaga, Eve’s emotional depth adds a fresh layer to the franchise. She’s not just a “female John Wick,” as some feared; she’s a character who stands on her own, blending balletic grace with raw intensity. Her performance, paired with the film’s anime-like visuals (think neon-lit nightclubs and snowy battles), makes Ballerina a visual treat for Indian fans who love Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan.
The John Wick universe expands beautifully here. Familiar faces like Anjelica Huston (The Director), Ian McShane (Winston), and Keanu Reeves (John Wick himself) make appearances, grounding the spin-off in the franchise’s lore. New additions, like Gabriel Byrne as the villainous Chancellor, add intrigue, while the Ruska Roma’s ballet-assassin academy feels like a nod to anime training arcs. The film’s pacing picks up in the second half, delivering “grenade-fueled chaos” that had X users buzzing. For Indian audiences, the Hindi-dubbed version (released June 12) and vibrant action make it a must-watch in theaters like PVR or INOX.
The Bad: A Slow Start and Thin Plot
Ballerina isn’t perfect. The first half drags, spending too much time on Eve’s origin story and the John Wick universe’s complex rules. While the Ruska Roma’s ballet-dojo is visually stunning, the early scenes feel like a rehash of John Wick: Chapter 3, lacking the franchise’s signature wit. Critics on X noted this, with one calling it a “disjointed John Wick retread” for its initial lack of originality. The plot, centered on Eve’s quest to avenge her father’s murder, is predictable and lacks the emotional weight of John Wick’s puppy-driven rampage.
Some action feels repetitive, with early fights mimicking John Wick’s judo takedowns and gunplay but with less polish. The dialogue can be clunky, with lines like “When you deal in blood, there must be rules” feeling out of place in a franchise known for letting action speak louder than words. Norman Reedus’ subplot as Daniel Pine, a fugitive assassin, adds little to the story and feels tacked on, a sentiment echoed by reviewers who found it “oddly truncated.”
Final Verdict: A Worthy Spin-Off That Dances to Its Own Beat
Ballerina starts slow but pirouettes into a thrilling addition to the John Wick universe. Ana de Armas delivers a knockout performance, and the second half’s creative action—flamethrowers, grenades, and ice skates—makes it a visual spectacle. While it doesn’t hit the heights of John Wick: Chapter 4, it’s more fun than The Continental and proves the franchise can thrive without Keanu Reeves stealing the show.