Harry's Movie Review

Ballerina arrives as a spinoff that actually fits. Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3, the film follows Eve Macarro as she enters the brutal training of the Ruska Roma assassin order. It knows exactly what it is: a focused character study wrapped in action and crime thriller mechanics. The setup is lean. No unnecessary mythology. Just a young woman learning to survive in a world that has already decided who she needs to become.

Ana de Armas does the heavy lifting here, and she understands the assignment. She moves through scenes with physical control that feels earned rather than just choreographed. When she makes mistakes in training, you see the frustration ripple across her face before the next attempt. Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane anchor the story in the Wick universe without drowning it out. McShane in particular brings a weathered intelligence to his scenes. The cast does not feel like they are checking boxes. They seem invested in the world.

Len Wiseman keeps things moving without rushing them. The pacing respects the training sequences as much as the action beats. One minor note: at 125 minutes, the film occasionally lingers longer than necessary in the quieter moments, though this also means the violence has room to breathe when it arrives. The direction never feels generic, and the crime thriller elements ground the story in something tactile and real.

What stayed with me was how the film treats the Ruska Roma traditions as a genuine code rather than Hollywood flavor. This is a spinoff that understands why people cared about the original. It does not explain everything. It trusts you to follow along. That kind of respect for the audience goes a long way.