Ballerina, the latest entry in the John Wick universe, lands with elegant brutality, led by a committed performance from Ana de Armas and a welcome return by Keanu Reeves. What sets this film apart isn’t just the action pedigree—it’s the refreshing focus on a female protagonist who isn’t invincible, but deeply human and raw.
The cinematography is a standout—sleek, atmospheric, and often haunting. The camera glides with precision through balletic violence and neon-soaked corridors, blending the grace of dance with the ferocity of survival. Every shot feels intentional, balancing style with storytelling.
As expected from this franchise, the stunt work is top-tier. The action sequences are brutal yet beautifully choreographed, with real physicality behind them. Ana de Armas impresses not just with her agility and screen presence, but with how convincingly she portrays a fighter who gets knocked down, bleeds, and limps her way through the chaos. It’s refreshing to see a lead who doesn’t shrug off every hit but wears the consequences of violence—physically and emotionally. While the plot occasionally stumbles and doesn’t fully escape the shadow of its Wick roots, Ballerina carves out its own space with grit and grace. It may not be a masterpiece, but it’s a stylish, hard-hitting entry that proves the franchise still has room to evolve.