Ballerina Movie Review: Does Ana de Armas Steal the Show in This John Wick Spin-Off?

Get ready, action fans! The first of the Ballerina movie's review(s) and reactions are in, and the John Wick spin-off starring the fierce Ana de Armas is pirouetting its way into the spotlight!

Premiering early reactions on May 22, 2025, "Ballerina" has critics and viewers buzzing with excitement—and a dash of debate—about its high-octane action, stunning choreography, and de Armas’ badass turn as Eve Macarro.

Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, this revenge-fueled flick from Lionsgate promises to expand the Wick-verse in style.

But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the initial reviews and reactions to find out what’s got everyone talking!

Is Ana de Armas the Ultimate Action Hero in "Ballerina"?

Early viewers can’t stop raving about Ana de Armas’ performance as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin trained by the Ruska Roma. Critics like Chris Bumbray from JoBlo’s Movie Network called her “a born movie star,” praising her as a perfect fit for this gritty, action-packed role. Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky echoed the sentiment, noting, “Ana de Armas kicks serious butt & I hope we get to see more of her.”

Her fierce presence and “deadly elegance” in the fight scenes have wowed audiences, with Sean Tajipour of Nerdtropolis highlighting her “stunning choreography” that lights up the screen. De Armas brings a fresh energy to the franchise, proving she’s more than ready to carry the torch—or the flamethrower—in this wild ride.

Does "Ballerina" Deliver John Wick-Worthy Action?

If you’re here for the action, "Ballerina" doesn’t disappoint! Initial reactions hail the film’s “mind-blowing fight scenes” and “phenomenally choreographed” sequences, with Jonathan Sim of ComingSoon.net dubbing it “absolute mayhem from start to finish.”

From grenades and flamethrowers to ice skates and katana swords, the creative weaponry and slick choreography keep the John Wick spirit alive.

Amon Warmann of Empire Magazine called it “a worthy addition to the John Wick franchise,” while Nadya Martinez of GothamGeekGirl praised its “exciting and gripping vengeful story” and “stunning backdrops.”

However, some noted early stumbles, with Roger Ebert’s Brian Tallerico pointing out that the first half leans on chaotic editing and camera tricks that don’t match the clean, long-shot style of the Wick series. Still, the final act’s “goofy, chaotic stunt work” seems to win most fans over

How Does the Story Hold Up in "Ballerina"?

The plot follows Eve’s quest for revenge after her father’s murder, a classic Wick-verse setup. Critics like Sean Tajipour of Nerdtropolis loved its “brutal, beautiful, and bursting with emotion” vibe, but others felt the narrative stumbled.

Germain Lussier of io9.com called the story “painfully boring,” arguing it holds back the film’s wild action.

Roger Ebert’s review noted eye-rolling dialogue and an underdeveloped subplot with Catalina Sandino Moreno’s character, Lena. Still, many agree the action overshadows the flaws, with Chris Killian of ComicBook.com calling it “intense and inventive” enough to satisfy John Wick fans. It’s not Shakespeare, but for adrenaline junkies, it’s a bloody good time.

What’s the Deal with Keanu Reeves’ Cameo?

Keanu Reeves’ return as John Wick has sparked mixed feelings. Some, like Patrick Cavanaugh of ComicBook.com, praised his “deservedly grand entrance,” tying it smartly to the story. But others, like Germain Lussier, felt his inclusion “hurts the movie,” leaning too much on fan service.

Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 and 4, the timeline gets a bit “weird,” as Brian Tallerico of Roger Ebert pointed out, given how the main series flows. Regardless, Reeves’ presence reminds us why the Baba Yaga rules, even if "Ballerina" aims to let Eve shine solo.

Did Lionsgate’s Embargo Stir Controversy?

Lionsgate raised eyebrows with a quirky embargo for early reactions. An email to critics allowed “spoiler-free enthusiasm” on social media starting May 22, 2025, but held “critical social sentiment & formal reviews” until June 4, just two days before the June 6 release.

This led to outcry, with Courtney Howard tweeting, “The BALLERINA embargo notice is absolutely unethical: An embargo hold on negative reactions?!”

Lionsgate later clarified via a rep to Matt Goldberg of LaineyGossip that “enthusiasm” was poor wording, emphasizing a “spoiler-free” focus instead. Still, the move left some critics, like SlashFilm, feeling the studio was “attempting to engineer consensus.” Drama aside, the buzz remains mostly positive.

Is "Ballerina" a Worthy John Wick Spin-Off?

The verdict? "Ballerina" is a thrilling, if imperfect, addition to the John Wick universe. With a Rotten Tomatoes score starting at 76% based on 38 reviews (per CultureCrave on X), it’s got solid cred.

Critics call it “the best pure action film of the year” (Emmanuel Noisette, The Movie Blog) and a flick that “properly expands the John Wick universe” (anadearmasdaily on X).

Some Closing Thoughts:

It may not hit the heights of John Wick: Chapter 4, but Ana de Armas’ fierce performance and jaw-dropping action make it a must-see.

Catch "Ballerina" in theaters June 6, 2025, and see if Eve Macarro dances her way into your heart—or your hit list!