From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
U.S.A. 2025

Opening 5 Jun 2025

Directed by: Len Wiseman
Writing credits: Shay Hatten, Derek Kolstad
Principal actors: Ana De Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne

Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) loved her small ballet doll which turned in circles to music. As a teenager, she took ballet lessons with her friends. As an adult, she lives with a group of ballet dancers and occasionally performs. Now, more important to the story, is a crime syndicate called Ruska Roma which is teaching her how to shoot weapons with the goal of becoming a professional assassin. One contact person is Winston (Ian McShane). When Eve lost her father, remaining alone and isolated, Winston picked her up and took her away so that she could learn more about her father’s family, of which she had no real information. “Her past was stolen; now she has a future.” Now he is protecting another small girl, his granddaughter Ella (Ava McCarthy). Another contact person is the director of Ruska Roma, played by Angelica Houston. Most action occurs in the Continental Hotel.

This is the fifth in a series of John Wick films which began in 2014. The whole film rests on action comprised of shooting and fighting. Guns seem to have personalities of their own. Ballet is rare, although there is a short scene from “Swan Lake.” Supported by 11 songs, one of them is “Fight Like a Girl,” something Eve does throughout almost the entire 125 minutes. Fighting like a girl includes kicking men in the penis. This is a film for viewers who don’t really need a plot, but are happy with action, as I said: shooting and fighting. Actors from past John Wick films appear, e.g., Angelica Huston, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, as well as newcomers, whom you will enjoy, especially Ana de Armas. This American John Wick film was filmed in Hungary, and I’m sure we can look forward to the next John Wick story; it’s not over yet. (Becky Tan)