In one of the most gripping moments of Ballerina, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), the feared Baba Yaga, is sent to hunt Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas). Instead of killing her immediately, he gives her until midnight to finish her mission to kill the Chancellor. If she fails, he will come after her himself.
In that intense moment, Eve looked at him and said, “You’re him. The one they call the Baba Yaga.”
That line summed up the entire weight of Wick’s legend — calm, unstoppable, and larger than life — while showing the fear and respect Eve carried in facing him. It was the perfect reminder that the Wick universe is as much about myth as it is about bullets.
I’ve been a fan of John Wick since the beginning, and I’ve watched all the movies more than once. Each chapter pulled me deeper into the world of rules, revenge, and relentless action. When Ballerina was announced, I was curious. Could a spin-off stand on its own, especially without putting John Wick at the center? After watching it, I can say this one just made me love the franchise even more.
A NEW FACE IN A FAMILIAR WORLD
Ballerina takes place between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. It follows Eve Macarro, a ballerina turned assassin seeking justice for her father’s death. The film doesn’t try to copy the Wick formula outright, but it adds its own flavour: grace in motion. Eve fights with fluidity, almost like she’s performing, and that made her journey feel convincing.
Ana de Armas carries the role of the assassin Eve with strength. From her beginnings in Cuba to breaking into Hollywood, she has grown into an actress who balances vulnerability with fire. In this film, she made me believe John Wick could exist in a female form. Her acting felt genuine, her movements powerful, and she gave the Wick universe a new energy.
A WONDERFULLY STAGED FILM
Another thing I loved is how beautifully the film was staged. The sets ranged from dim theatres to glowing city streets, and each backdrop seemed to breathe with its own mood. The mix of ballet halls and assassin battlegrounds created a sharp contrast that made the world come alive. Every location felt carefully chosen, and it pulled me further into Eve’s story.
The music box ballerina appears as a fragile reminder of Eve’s childhood innocence in a world built on violence. That single detail tied the character’s journey back to where it all began, giving the film an emotional undercurrent beneath the action.
FLASHBACK TO JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
Watching Ballerina made me think back to Chapter 4. That movie showed Wick at his peak — tired, scarred, yet still unstoppable. The fabulous, handsome Keanu reminded us why he became such an icon. His quiet strength and dedication always shine through, both on screen and off.
Now, with Ballerina, Ana steps alongside him. Not as a replacement, but as proof that this universe can carry more than one legend. Together, their presence shows how far the franchise has come, old and new working side by side.
FAMILIAR YET FRESH
The film isn’t perfect. The opening moves a little slowly, and a few side characters don’t get the space they deserve. But as someone who has followed this story from the start, that didn’t spoil my experience. The fights, the familiar faces of Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and Charon (Lance Reddick), and even Wick’s short but memorable appearance tied everything together.
What made it work for me is that it didn’t feel like it was trying too hard. It stayed true to the Wick style but gave me something new to hold on to.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ballerina might not reach the gamechanging heights of the original Wick films, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a confident, stylish addition that expands the world naturally. Ana gave me a character I could believe in, the staging made it unforgettable, and the Baba Yaga deadline with Keanu reminded me why I fell in love with this universe in the first place. A graceful spin-off that blends elegance with violence. Not perfect, but as a Wick fan, it left me excited for what’s next.
