“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” (2025) is a neo-noir action thriller directed by Len Wiseman, written by Shay Hatten, and produced under the John Wick universe. Released on June 6, 2025, the film is set chronologically between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4 . Ana de Armas stars as Eve Macarro, a ballerina‑turned‑assassin raised and trained by the enigmatic Ruska Roma following her father’s murder.

From the opening moments, the narrative centers on Eve’s quest for vengeance, her disciplined ballet training fused with lethal precision forming the backbone of her combat style . The story builds gradually, moving from emotional setup into brutal and inventive action set‑pieces. Critics highlight sequences such as flamethrower duels, explosions wielded like instruments, and a snowy compound infiltration that stretches the boundaries of stylized violence.

Ana de Armas brings a compelling blend of grace and killing intent to the role. Reviews praise her as “a born movie star,” noting her balance of vulnerability and ferocity, even if she lacks the mythic aura of Keanu Reeves’s John Wick . Her performance anchors the film emotionally, tempering the carnage with a hint of inner turmoil.

Stylistically, the film leans into both ballet’s elegance and fight choreography’s brutality, often blending humor with violence. Reviewers described slapstick gags—like TV remotes wielded in combat or dinnerware used as mortars—as unexpectedly funny while also jarring . The film’s tone is wild: one critic admires the climactic third‑act showdown in a Czech village filled with assassins as “lunatic” yet memorable .

Visually and technically, Ballerina earns high marks for its cinematography and choreography, even if its dialogue is often serviceable rather than soaring. Some critics note that early story passages feel trope‑heavy or thinly written, though the film rallies with tight pacing and a rewarding final act