What happens when you take the sleek, hyper-violent world of John Wick and inject it with the grace of a ballet dancer? You get Ballerina, the first spin-off from Lionsgate's blockbuster assassin franchise, now streaming on HBO Max. Starring Ana de Armas as a vengeful killer trained in the Ruska Roma tradition, the film is a stylish, bone-crunching ride that proves grief and pirouettes can be a deadly combination.
Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (de Armas), a young assassin who turns her ballet training into a weapon of revenge after her family is murdered. Think Black Swan meets a hail of bullets, with de Armas delivering a performance that's equal parts elegance and ferocity. The film expands the John Wick universe by introducing a new lead who's just as skilled—and just as traumatized—as the legendary hitman himself.
The cast is stacked with franchise favorites and new faces. Keanu Reeves reprises his role as John Wick, while Ian McShane returns as Winston, the enigmatic manager of the Continental. Anjelica Huston plays The Director, the head of the Ruska Roma, and Gabriel Byrne joins as The Chancellor. Norman Reedus appears as Daniel Pine, and the late Lance Reddick makes a poignant appearance as Charon. It's a reunion of sorts for fans of the series, though some critics argue that the cameos feel a bit forced.
At the box office, Ballerina grossed around $140 million worldwide against a $90 million budget—a modest haul for a franchise that's known for massive returns. But the film's streaming success on HBO Max could be a different story. With a 75% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a much higher 92% audience score, it's clear that viewers are embracing de Armas's entry into the John Wick universe more enthusiastically than critics did.
Collider's review noted that the film stumbles early on, bogged down by excessive lore and forced connections to the larger franchise. The first act is heavy on exposition, but once the movie stops explaining and starts throwing de Armas into increasingly inventive fight sequences, it becomes a seriously entertaining spin-off. The review praised de Armas as a strong, scrappier action lead who feels like a worthy successor to John Wick, especially when the film leans into its most brutal set pieces.
For fans of action cinema, Ballerina is a must-watch, especially if you're craving more of the franchise's signature style. It's also a great companion piece to other recent action hits like Charlize Theron's 'Apex', which is dominating Netflix as May 2026's must-watch action thriller. And if you're in the mood for more ballet-inspired brutality, check out our list of the 50 greatest action movie masterpieces of the last 50 years.
Ultimately, Ballerina finds its footing as a fun, chaotic addition to the John Wick saga. While it may not reach the heights of the main series, it's a worthy spin-off that showcases Ana de Armas as a formidable action star. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, this is one ballet recital you won't want to miss.
