Ballerina (2025), also known as From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, is a high-octane American action thriller that expands the John Wick universe with a fierce new protagonist. Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas, the film promises brutal choreography, a layered origin story, and familiar faces from the original franchise.
Here’s everything you need to know about this much-anticipated John Wick spinoff.
Film Overview
- Title: Ballerina (marketed as From the World of John Wick: Ballerina)
- Director: Len Wiseman
- Writer: Shay Hatten
- Based on: Characters by Derek Kolstad
- Main Star: Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro
- Supporting Cast: Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
- Release Date: June 6, 2025 (United States)
- Running Time: 125 minutes
- Budget: $90 million
- Box Office: $110.7 million
Plot Summary
Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina explores the dark world of trained assassins through the eyes of Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-killer seeking revenge.
Background:
Eve is the daughter of Javier (a Ruska Roma assassin) and his cultist wife. Her childhood is shattered when her mother is killed during Javier’s attempt to take her away from the Cult. The Cult retaliates, killing Javier as he helps Eve escape. She is taken to New York by Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and placed with the Ruska Roma under the watch of the Director (Anjelica Huston).
Training:
Over 12 years, Eve transforms from a traumatised child into a deadly ballerina-assassin known as Kikimora. She trains under the Director and Nogi, learning both classical ballet and lethal combat. A pivotal encounter with John Wick (Keanu Reeves) sees him warning her to abandon this path—a warning she ignores.
Quest for Vengeance:
Eve discovers her father was killed by the Cult. When her pleas for information are denied due to a truce between the Ruska Roma and the Cult, she defies orders to track them down. This sets off a chain of violent confrontations across Europe, culminating in a brutal showdown in Hallstatt, Austria.
Climactic Battles:
Eve faces off against Cultists, unearths family secrets—including that her target Lena is her older sister—and ultimately kills the Cult’s Chancellor to rescue a young girl, Ella Pine. Despite her victory, she becomes a marked woman, learning of a bounty on her head even as she tries to escape her past.
Key Characters and Cast
Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro:
- A ballerina trained as an assassin by the Ruska Roma.
- Driven by vengeance for her father’s death.
- Delivers a physically demanding, layered performance.
Anjelica Huston as the Director:
- Head of the Ruska Roma.
- Trains assassins in ballet and combat.
- A recurring John Wick universe character.
Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor:
- Leader of the Cult that killed Eve’s father.
- Eve’s primary target.
Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine:
- The Chancellor’s estranged son.
- Trying to protect his daughter Ella from the Cult.
- Lance Reddick as Charon:
- The Continental’s loyal concierge.
- Final on-screen appearance for Reddick, released posthumously.
Ian McShane as Winston Scott:
- Owner of the New York Continental Hotel.
- Offers Eve guidance and sanctuary.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick:
- Legendary assassin who crosses paths with Eve.
- Hired to stop her but ultimately sympathises with her quest.
Catalina Sandino Moreno as Lena:
- Eve’s older sister and Cult assassin.
- A tragic antagonist with personal ties.
Production Background
Development:
- Originated as a spec script by Shay Hatten inspired by John Wick: Chapter 2.
- Rewritten to fit the John Wick universe after Lionsgate acquired it in 2017.
- Len Wiseman signed on as director in 2019.
- Ana de Armas confirmed as lead in 2022 after pushing for a female screenwriter (Emerald Fennell) to polish the script.
Filming:
- Principal photography ran from November 2022 to January 2023 in Prague and Budapest.
- Reshoots in February 2024 added more action under producer Chad Stahelski’s supervision.
- Norman Reedus filmed extra fight scenes in Budapest.
Music:
- Initially scored by Marco Beltrami and Anna Drubich.
- Replaced by franchise veterans Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard.
- Soundtrack released by Lakeshore Records alongside the film.
Marketing and Release
Teaser shown at CinemaCon 2024, titled John Wick Presents: Ballerina.
Full trailer released in September 2024.
Originally scheduled for June 7, 2024, but delayed to June 6, 2025.
Released by Lionsgate in the U.S. to solid anticipation.
Box Office Performance
- Grossed $110.7 million worldwide on a $90 million budget.
- U.S. and Canada: $57.3 million.
- International markets: $53.4 million.
- Opened with $24.5 million, second behind Lilo & Stitch.
- Held strong despite competition from big summer blockbusters.
Critical Reception
Generally positive reviews:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 76% approval from 280 critics.
- Consensus: Praises Ana de Armas’ performance and the creative action choreography.
- Metacritic: Score of 59/100, indicating mixed to average reviews.
Audience response:
- CinemaScore: A–
- PostTrak: 87% positive, 79% would recommend.
Selected reviews:
- Vulture: “Absurd, thrilling, and gorgeous—ends as a true John Wick movie.”
- IGN: “Follows the rules while expanding the world. Funny, bloody, creative.”
- Slant Magazine: More critical, noting thin connections to the main saga.
Accolades and Future Plans
Critics’ Choice Super Awards:
- Ana de Armas nominated for Best Actress in an Action Movie.
Sequel Potential:
- Producer Erica Lee confirmed interest in continuing Eve’s story.
- Director Len Wiseman teased exploring consequences of Eve’s actions.
- Norman Reedus’ character intended for further development.
Ballerina (2025) successfully expands the John Wick universe with its own brutal elegance. With Ana de Armas delivering a standout performance, creative choreography, and strong emotional stakes, this spinoff proves the franchise still has fresh stories to tell.
Fans of the John Wick films will find plenty of callbacks, familiar faces, and a new anti-heroine whose journey is only beginning.
