From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a Fiery, Flawed Spin-Off

Ballerina (2025) Review: Action, Flamethrowers, and Franchise Footsteps

There’s something oddly satisfying about watching a ballerina burn it all down with flamethrowers. Ballerina, the latest addition to the John Wick cinematic multiverse universe, drops us back into the hyper-violent, stylishly choreographed world we can’t get enough of—but this time, through the eyes (and fists) of a new assassin, Eve, played by the fiercely talented Ana de Armas.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Ballerina is not John Wick 5. It’s not trying to be. It opens with a slower burn (pun intended), opting to give us more backstory and world-building than the original Wick ever did. Eve isn’t a god-tier killing machine. She’s deadly, yeah, but she’s also human, raw, and strategic. She bleeds. She learns. And that makes her compelling as hell.

🩰 Revenge in Heels

Eve, like John, is a product of the Ruska Roma—yes, the same ballerina-assassin factory we saw briefly in John Wick: Chapter 3. But unlike John, her path to vengeance is steeped in grief over her father’s murder, rigorous training montages, and missions gone sideways. It takes a while before she fully breaks free and goes rogue, but that buildup pays off if you're into the lore dump side of things.

You really get to see the inner workings of this shadowy world. We get more of the cold institutions and cryptic figures pulling strings behind the curtain, plus the idea that not everyone’s on equal footing. Eve is constantly reminded that she’s smaller, weaker—and that’s where her edge comes in. She has to outthink, outmaneuver, and out-survive. She’s not the Baba Yaga. She’s something else entirely.

🔥 Explosions, Grenades & Power Fire

And now for what everyone really came here for: the action.

Once this thing gets going, it really gets going. Flamethrowers. Grenades. Close-quarters combat. If John Wick gave us library book kills and horse assassinations, Ballerina throws down with enough pyro to make Michael Bay blush. There's one grenade sequence that had me involuntarily saying “holy sh—” in a half-full theater. It was over-the-top, a bit ridiculous, but 100% a blast (literally and figuratively).

Sure, some of the physics don’t make a ton of sense. But if you’re pulling out a calculator to judge grenade shrapnel damage in a John Wick spin-off, you’re probably in the wrong theater. Just enjoy the chaos.

🎭 Acting & Characters: More Than Just Gun-Fu

Anna de Armas proves, yet again, that she belongs in the action genre. After her scene-stealing role in No Time to Die, we all knew this was the next logical step. She brings a believable blend of vulnerability and violence to Eve, never once trying to copy Keanu’s stoic John Wick energy.

And speaking of Keanu—yes, he’s here.

His cameo is fun at first. But then it gets… complicated. The movie is supposed to take place between John Wick 3 and 4, but the timeline feels fuzzy. Isn’t he supposed to be healing up with the Bowery King? Instead, he’s out here popping up like, “This side quest needs me.” It’s cool, it’s Keanu, but it kinda messes with the flow. The danger is real: he might overshadow the movie he’s guesting in. Thankfully, it never fully tips in that direction, but it's close.

That said, it’s bittersweet seeing Lance Reddick again as Charon. This was filmed before his passing, and when he appeared on screen, there was an audible emotional reaction in my theater. Just a gentle reminder of how much weight he brought to even the smallest roles.

⚔️ Familiar Yet Fresh... Sometimes Too Familiar

There are beats here that feel like the filmmakers are checking off a “Wick Universe” box. Mysterious lecture about being a boogeyman? Check. Cool nickname for our assassin? Check-ish. Cameos? Double check. Flamethrowers? Triple check.

But some of it leans too hard into fan service. A few moments felt like the script nudged me in the ribs like, “Eh? Remember Baba Yaga?” I didn’t need that. I was already invested.

The third act is where things get a little messy. There’s a sudden “big thing” that the movie drops in your lap but never really follows through on. It ends with that nagging “wait, what was the point of that?” feeling. Still, it doesn’t ruin the ride.

Land of Geek Rating: 7.8/10

We’re all about expanding universes here at Land of Geek, and Ballerina is a stylish step into deeper Wick-verse territory. It’s not flawless, but it’s got the kind of raw charm, fire-soaked action, and gritty storytelling that makes us want to see where Eve’s journey goes next. It dances between brutal combat and emotional stakes—without ever pretending it's the main event. And we respect that.

✅ Pros:

• Anna de Armas owns the screen – She’s fierce, layered, and more than worthy of leading a Wick-verse story.
• Grenade & flamethrower action set pieces – Seriously, these sequences are some of the wildest in the franchise.
• Expanded world-building – We get a deeper peek into the Ruska Roma and the world of assassin training.
• A more grounded protagonist – Eve’s vulnerability and strategic fighting style feel refreshing in this universe.
• Bittersweet but beautiful return of Lance Reddick – A quiet but emotional touchstone.

❌ Cons:

• Pacing takes a while to ramp up – The first act drags a bit before the real mayhem begins.
• Continuity confusion – John Wick’s timeline cameo causes more questions than answers.
• Over-reliance on Wick nostalgia – Some moments feel like forced winks to the audience.
• Underdeveloped third act twist – The “big reveal” fizzles instead of firing.
• Title is a mouthful – Seriously, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina? We’re already tired saying it.

Ballerina isn’t a perfect spin-off. It's not trying to outdo John Wick, and it knows it can’t. What it does instead is carve out a new lane—a slightly more grounded, emotionally driven revenge tale with style, lore, and enough flamethrowers to ignite your geeky heart.

If you’re down for a side quest that expands the world, gives us a new lead who actually has to try to win a fight, and throws in a few grenades for good measure, then this ballet of bullets is worth the ticket.

Stay on track with more cinematic carnage and killer reviews at Land of Geek Magazine!
#ballerinareview #johnwickuniverse #annadearmasaction #moviecriticsquad #geekmovies2025