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Ballerina Review
If you thought the Wick universe died with a dog and a headshot, think again.
Ballerina doesn’t knock on your door — it kicks it open in true John Wick style. Within minutes, you are pulled back into the brutal, code-bound world of assassins where bullets speak louder than backstories. This time, it is not Baba Yaga who’s painting the town red. It’s Eve, trained by the same deadly clan that once made Wick what he was: Ruska Roma.
It’s a world of knives, guns, grief, and grudges. And this spin-off doesn’t waste a single breath explaining it gently. You’re either in or you’re out. And if you’re a Wick fan? You’re already in.
The Revenge Blueprint
Eve’s story is classic masala-filmy revenge: a loving father killed, a girl left to grow into a killer. Her arc echoes many origin tales, but the film keeps its edge with gritty violence. Despite the familiar setup, Ballerina delivers visceral action that’s impossible to ignore. The fight choreography feels fresh — graceful yet brutal, like watching a deadly ballet unfold.
Wick Enters the Stage (Again)
Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick for a well-placed cameo. What starts as a potential showdown against Eve turns unexpectedly into an alliance. Their conversation? Total crowd-pleaser — cool, sharp, and packed with banter that makes you cheer. When Wick steps in to help topple the Chancellor, it adds a powerful emotional chord.
Let’s not kid ourselves. Wick isn’t just feared — he’s revered. Every assassin out there, including Eve, moves through a world he helped shape. He didn’t just survive the system. He owned it. He’s less a man, more a legend no one can replace.
Hits, Misses, and That One Scene That’ll Split the Crowd
The highs first — because when Ballerina works, it really works.
The action? Exactly what you’d expect from the Wick universe, maybe even a little sharper. Eve’s first assignment is a full-blown showcase, where grace meets violence. Every move feels like a choreographed, deadly dance. It’s intense, stylish, and never loses momentum. You can feel the franchise’s DNA in every frame.
Visually, the film sticks to the signature tone: gritty yet polished, with dark corridors, neon-drenched rooms, and secret societies hiding in plain sight. There is comfort in how familiar it feels, like slipping back into the underworld Wick once ruled.
The pacing takes its time at first. The first half is decent and nothing path-breaking, but it lays the groundwork well. Then the second half arrives with that classic Wick-style acceleration. You know the kind: bullets flying, rules breaking, alliances shifting. It feels like home.
But not everything hits the target.
Let’s start with Eve’s backstory. It’s the classic dead dad revenge turned killer setup, but there’s nothing here you haven’t seen before. There’s little emotional weight, and some critics argue it feels like a filler arc that just connects the dots.
Then there’s a head-scratcher. John Wick returns to help Ruska Roma even after being cast out. The logic’s shaky. It adds confusion more than depth, especially if you’ve followed Wick’s story closely. And then… that fight. Yes, that fight. Eve vs. Wick. It looks cool on paper, but feels totally unnecessary in execution. It slows the narrative, breaks the emotional rhythm, and adds nothing meaningful to either character’s arc.
As for the ending — if you’ve seen John Wick Part 1, you’ve pretty much seen this too. It mirrors the original almost too closely, like the writers couldn’t decide whether to honour the franchise or just replay its greatest hits.
Final Verdict: For Wick Fans, Definitely Watch
Ballerina scores high in action, style, and nostalgia. You’ll feel Wick’s shadow at every turn. The film gives you just enough to keep you locked in. On narrative and emotional depth, it’s more tour-de-force than soulful journey.
Still, as a setup for the next icon in Wick’s universe, it plays its cards smart by building a fierce new assassin while paying tribute to the original.
For the Bloody Action. For Wick’s legacy. For that masala thrill — this one’s worth the watch.