"Ballerina": A Fierce New Chapter in the John Wick Universe of Killers and Redemption

'Ballerina' spins off from the John Wick saga with brutal elegance, following a young assassin's vengeful journey through a cult-like assassin village, where the line between vengeance and survival blurs. Packed with breathtaking action and emotional depth, the film offers a compelling standalone story while honoring the franchise's signature style.

One of the enduring themes across the John Wick franchise is the yearning for an escape — a hope for a peaceful, normal life. The legendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) began his story as a man who left the underworld behind after falling in love and marrying. But leaving the world of professional killing came at a steep price, and after losing everything, Wick found himself pulled back into the violent life he tried to abandon — all while still holding onto the dream that one day, he might break free.

On August 6th, director Len Wiseman's Ballerina hit theaters, serving as a gritty spin-off within the John Wick universe. The film follows Eve Macaro (played by Ana de Armas), a deadly young assassin raised in the mysterious and secretive killer organization known as "Luska Rome." While seeking vengeance against the man who murdered her father, Eve crosses paths with the legendary John Wick and dives headfirst into a bloody war fought in a shadowy city ruled by killers.

The film is set in the timeline between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. It picks up as Wick finds himself on the run, having violated the sacred rules enforced by the High Table — a powerful council of 12 leaders who govern the assassin world. During this chaos, Wick, ever the reluctant killer, offers a critical line to Eve, who is still fresh to this life: “You can still leave. You have a choice.” His words carry the weight of someone who has lost too much and is desperate to spare someone else the same fate.

Despite Wick’s warning, Eve plunges deeper into the assassin world. Her personal mission for vengeance intensifies after she discovers that her father's killer is part of a cult-like assassin group that has twisted the Luska Rome organization into something far more sinister. This group, located in an isolated mountain village beside a lake, operates beyond the rules of the High Table. It grooms not just assassins, but entire bloodlines — families of killers trained from birth in secrecy and brutality.

Driven by rage, Eve ignores pleas from Luska Rome’s director and sets out to destroy the cult. Her quest begins with a bold debut: during her first mission, she dons a sleek mermaid-cut mini dress and single-handedly takes down a squad of armed men in a nightclub — even dispatching the final boss with a hand axe. The action scenes throughout Ballerina stay true to the John Wick style, utilizing long takes that showcase the choreography and intensity of combat. These meticulously crafted sequences allow the audience to absorb every punch, gunshot, and movement — often portraying Eve fighting off dozens of enemies alone.

Wiseman takes the action further, introducing new, jaw-dropping visual concepts. A scene involving a grenade detonation during a chase offers one of the most shocking moments in the film, as does the flamethrower sequence that scorches enemies from a stunning 10-meter distance. These standout moments push the boundaries of what has previously been seen in the John Wick universe.

Despite the film’s title, Ballerina doesn’t deliver the graceful, ballet-infused combat some viewers may have anticipated. The dance element is instead a cover — a deceptive tool used by Luska Rome to disguise their brutal training regimen for female assassins. Eve’s fighting style is a sharp contrast: unrefined, intense, and primal. She uses everything at her disposal — from firearms and blades to dinnerware and household items like remote controls. In one particularly unsettling moment, she wraps a larger man in plastic to immobilize him before delivering a fatal blow. In another, she hangs on her opponent’s back and gouges out his eyes with her bare hands.

But beneath the blood-soaked surface lies the heart of the film — a story driven by complex characters and emotional undercurrents. While hunting the cult, Eve encounters Daniel Fine, a man who escaped the group in hopes of giving his daughter, Ella, a normal life. Eve is moved by his story and resolves to protect Ella at all costs. Meanwhile, the head of Luska Rome, fearing Eve’s vendetta could unravel the entire organization, sends John Wick to eliminate her. But instead of carrying out his mission, Wick — understanding her pain — offers Eve one final chance to walk away.

In a key turning point, Eve uncovers the shocking truth behind her father's death, and the revelation adds emotional depth and a twist that challenges her perspective. This moment elevates the story beyond action, drawing empathy from the audience and reinforcing the human side of the killer's journey. The mythology of the film deepens further with the symbolic naming of Eve as a “Kikimora,” referencing the Slavic spirit known for protecting homes — but one that becomes deadly if family life is threatened. This duality defines Eve's arc: she is both protector and executioner, motherly and murderous, a brutal guardian shaped by violence.

Eve’s decisions come with heavy consequences, but her path reflects the series’ central question — can one ever truly leave this world behind? Ballerina doesn’t offer easy answers, but it presents its heroine with humanity, depth, and purpose. Having topped the North American box office upon release, Ballerina not only proves its standalone strength but also solidifies the ever-expanding reach and influence of the John Wick cinematic universe.