JOHN WICK: Chapter 5
October 24, 2025
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Review: Ballerina: A John Wick Story (2024) – A Deadly Dance of Revenge
⭐ Rating: 8.8/10
The John Wick universe expands in Ballerina (2024), a fast-paced action thriller that combines stunning fight choreography, brutal revenge, and the franchise’s signature neo-noir aesthetic. Directed by Len Wiseman, the film stars Ana de Armas as Rooney, a lethal assassin trained at the same secret, underground ballet academy featured in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. With explosive action sequences, elegant cinematography, and surprise appearances by franchise favorites, Ballerina marks an exciting new chapter in the Wick universe.
Synopsis
Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, the film follows Rooney (Ana de Armas), a highly skilled dancer-turned-assassin, who embarks on a relentless quest for revenge after the brutal murder of her family at the hands of a secret faction of assassins.
Her journey takes her deeper into the assassin world, where she must uncover secrets about her past, face elite killers, and outmaneuver powerful criminal organizations that do not want her to survive. Along the way, she crosses paths with Winston (Ian McShane), the King of the Bowery (Laurence Fishburne), and even has a brief but electrifying encounter with John Wick (Keanu Reeves), who warns her, “Revenge comes at a price.”
As the death toll rises, Rooney must overcome herself, proving she’s more than just a dancer: she’s a force of nature.
Why it works? 🎭 Ana de Armas steals the show – Armas delivers a captivating performance, combining lethal elegance, emotional depth, and raw intensity in a character that feels both lethal and vulnerable.
💥 John Wick-style action, with a unique twist – The fight sequences are brutally efficient, beautifully choreographed, and more acrobatic, incorporating balletic movements into deadly bouts, making the action feel fresh and visually stunning.
🎶 A Spectacular Soundtrack – The film’s electronic-tinged orchestral score heightens the tension, combining graceful elegance with pounding rhythms.
🔫 Delves Deeper into Wick’s Mythology – The film delves into the High Table, the assassin underworld, and the secret ballet training program, adding further depth and intrigue to the John Wick universe.
🎥 Flawless Neo-Noir Cinematography: The film combines dark, dim lighting, neon-drenched cityscapes, and elegant sets, creating a stunning visual experience.
Minor drawbacks
⏳ A slower, more character-driven first half: Unlike John Wick, which jumps straight into the action, Ballerina takes more time to develop Rooney’s backstory, which may test the patience of action-oriented viewers.
📜 Some predictable revenge tropes: While well-executed, the plot follows some familiar revenge-genre beats, making some twists slightly predictable.
Final Verdict
Ballerina: A John Wick Story is a stylish, stylized, and brutally entertaining expansion of the John Wick universe, proving that Ana de Armas can hold her own as a leading action star. With breathtaking action, a captivating revenge story, and a deep assassin tale, this film delivers exactly what fans crave, while introducing a formidable new protagonist to the franchise.
🩰 Final Score: 8.8/10 – A brutal, action-packed thriller that cements Rooney as a worthy successor in the John Wick universe.