If you’ve been craving the brutal elegance and poetic chaos of the John Wick universe, Ballerina is your must-see film this weekend. Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas, this high-octane spin-off pirouettes straight into theaters Friday, June 7, with blood, ballet, and bullet-riddled vengeance.

Ana de Armas as Eve in Ballerina. Photo Credit: Larry D. Horricks

Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Ballerina introduces us to Rooney (Ana de Armas), a deadly assassin raised in the same twisted ballet academy that trained Wick himself. After her family is ruthlessly murdered, Rooney isn’t just hunting for answers—she’s hunting everyone responsible. And when you train with killers, your choreography is lethal.

What makes Ballerina a standout? It’s not just the crisp fight sequences and stylized cinematography fans expect from this franchise—though those are here in glorious, operatic form. It’s Ana de Armas who steals the spotlight. She delivers an emotionally raw, physically fierce performance that doesn’t just match the Wick standard—it elevates it. Her Rooney is not a clone of John, but a force entirely her own: graceful, relentless, and heartbreakingly human.

And yes, Keanu Reeves makes a return as John Wick, along with the late Lance Reddick as Charon and Ian McShane as Winston, grounding the film deeper into the mythic, noir world of assassins, Continental Hotels, and blood oaths.

What Ballerina does brilliantly is expand the universe without feeling like a cash-in. It deepens the lore, gives us a female-led revenge saga with teeth, and sets a new tone: elegance fused with fury.

Ana de Armas as Eve in Ballerina. Photo Credit: Murray Close

Bottom line? If you’re a fan of balletic brutality, vengeful heroines, and mythic world-building, Ballerina is the stylish thrill ride you can’t miss. Grab your popcorn, tighten your laces, and prepare for one of the most explosive dances of the summer.