Netflix Action Thriller ‘Ballerina’ Is a Must-See Before This Month’s ‘John Wick’ Spin-off

The John Wick franchise is all set to explode into spin-offs, prequels, and further sequels, with From the World of John Wick: Ballerina due to land in theaters next month. But, before Ana de Armas violently takes down enemies as a twinkle-toes killer, it’s now time to learn that Netflix did it first (sort of), with the streamer releasing an action thriller centered on a lady vengeance back in 2023.

Directed by Lee Chung-hyun and starring Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim, Netflix’s Ballerina debuted on the streaming platform back in October 2023, and follows an ex-bodyguard who, after the loss of a best friend she couldn’t protect, sets out to fulfill her dear friend’s last wish: sweet, sweet revenge.

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Ana de Armas Delivers ‘John Wick’ “Mayhem” as ‘Ballerina’ First Reactions Hail “Best Action Movie of the Year”

‘Ballerina’s strange review embargo may not make a difference.as the ‘John Wick’ spin-off’s reviews all say the same thing.

Likened to John Wick and Kill Bill upon release, Ballerina was met with rave reviews from critics at the time. The action thriller boasts a hugely impressive rating of 91%, with Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies awarding the movie a perfect 5/5 and calling it “one of the best-looking films of the year,” and praising “some of the best action” they’ve “ever seen.” James Marsh of the South China Morning Post, meanwhile, declared Ballerina a “lean and unflinching exercise in neon and blood-drenched action.”

So, before the world of John Wick expands into this story of a revenge-seeking ballerina, it’s well worth basking in the bloody and brutal delights that Netflix has to offer in their own action outing.

‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ Is Due to Hit Theaters on June 6

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Directed by Len Wiseman, who is best known for action fare like the Underworld franchise, Total Recall, and Die Hard 4, and from a screenplay he co-wrote with Shay Hatten in collaboration with Emerald Fennell, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina takes place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 and follows Ana de Armas’ ballerina-assassin as she embarks on her own quest for revenge.

Academy Award nominee Ana De Armas will lead the project, with John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves, all set to return alongside her. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina stars John Wick staples Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston, who both reprise their prior roles, with the spin-off also marking the final on-screen appearance of the late, great Lance Reddick, who reprises the role of Charon. The rest of the cast includes the likes of Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Hereditary), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune), and Catalina Sandino Moreno (From, Maria Full of Grace). The action spin-off is due to hit theaters on June 6, 2025, and you can check out the official synopsis below.

“Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.”

The world of John Wick is now one of the most successful action franchises of all time. While it looked like John Wick: Chapter 4 wrapped things up for the character, it has now been confirmed that John Wick: Chapter 5 is in development alongside an assortment of spin-offs, including the return of Donnie Yen’s show-stealing blind assassin, Caine.

Source: Digital Mafia Talkies, South China Morning Post

Ballerina

Release Date

October 6, 2023

Runtime

92 Minutes

Director

Lee Chung-hyun

Writers

Lee Chung-hyun

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