Ana de Armas Shines in Ballerina, the John Wick Spin-off, but the Story Treads Familiar Ground

Ana de Armas takes center stage in Ballerina, a gripping spin-off from the John Wick franchise that blends elegance with deadly action. Positioned between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the film follows a new assassin, Eve Macarro, portrayed by de Armas, who is on a revenge-driven journey set within the same dangerous and stylized world as the Wick saga.

Eve, trained in both ballet and combat by the shadowy Ruska Roma syndicate, is fueled by the desire to avenge her father’s murder. Her mission leads her to confront a powerful cult led by the cold-blooded Chancellor, played by Gabriel Byrne. Along the way, she receives unexpected help from familiar faces such as Winston (Ian McShane) and the Director (Anjelica Huston), and even John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves), who, instead of eliminating her as instructed, chooses to aid her mission.

While the film showcases visually impressive action sequences—like a memorable bar fight scene and an intense flamethrower attack that left de Armas emotionally overwhelmed during filming—it has been met with mixed reviews. Critics praise the aesthetic flair and Ana de Armas’s compelling performance, describing her as a refreshing, graceful, and agile lead who brings a new dimension to the franchise’s action formula.

However, others note that the film’s narrative doesn’t stray far from the path laid out by previous John Wick installments. Themes of loss, vengeance, and escaping violence feel repetitive, and the storyline struggles at times to establish its own identity independent of Wick’s legacy.

Despite the mixed critiques, Ballerina has had a solid opening at the Indian box office, earning ₹5–8 crore on its first day. Trade analysts suggest it needs to earn around ₹50 crore to be considered a hit. With limited competition in theatres, the film is expected to perform well in urban centers.

In essence, Ballerina delivers a stylish action experience, propelled by Ana de Armas’s standout performance. While it may not completely break new ground narratively, it lays the foundation for future female-led action stories within the expanding John Wick universe.