Ballerina: Ana de Armas Shines in a Visceral, Stylish Spin-Off That Packs a Punch

I’m sorry, Ana de Armas— I was not familiar with your game. Ballerina surprised me in the best way possible. This movie features some of the best action sequences I’ve seen in a long time. I had doubts about Ana’s ability to carry an action-heavy role like this, but she absolutely delivers. She brings a ferocity and intensity that make her feel completely at home in the John Wick universe. Her punches land with weight, her movements are sharp, and her presence commands the screen. Simply put—she’s a badass.

The combat choreography is top-tier—slick, creative, and brutally effective. The cinematography and score add even more energy, making for an entertaining and immersive ride. There are sequences here that are flat-out genius—especially involving flamethrowers—that I’ve never seen done quite like this before. Those moments alone elevate the experience.

That said, the plot is pretty thin. It’s a revenge story at its core, and the villain is unfortunately one-dimensional. The film also takes a little while to fully kick into gear, but once it does, it doesn’t let up. The pacing does become an issue toward the end. dragging on a bit longer than necessary. Thankfully, the film leans into that with a clever nod in the final act.

One gripe I have is with John Wick’s appearance. As much as I love Keanu, I felt it undercut Ballerina’s character. It almost sends the message that they didn’t fully trust Ana de Armas to lead the movie on her own. I also wish her character had a more distinct style. At times, she feels too much like a female version of John Wick rather than her own entity.

Still, despite its flaws, Ballerina delivers where it counts: thrilling action, high production value, and a compelling lead performance. It’s not perfect, but it’s a strong entry in the Wick universe and a promising showcase for Ana de Armas in full action-hero mode.

I’m genuinely excited to see where they take her character next.

RIP Lance Reddick.