What to Watch This Weekend – Ballerina

Ballerina is the story of an assassin seeking revenge. As a young girl, Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) watched her father die. A man known only as the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) broke into her home and shattered her life. After, the mysterious Mister Winston (Ian McShane) offers Eve a choice. She can live with the pain, or channel that rage to become a weapon. Opting for the latter, Eve joins the Ruska Roma—an organization that trains woman as killers under the guise of a ballet company. Once there, she catches the eye of the Director (Anjelica Houston) who believes Eve is particularly gifted. However, the Director warns Eve that despite her growing skills, she’s absolutely forbidden to seek vengeance on the people who murdered her father. This leaves Eve with another important choice to make.

What works in Ballerina is de Armas and the incredible fight choreography. Ballerina takes place in John Wick’s (Keanu Reeves) universe, specifically during the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Those familiar with the series will be expecting jaw-dropping action sequences. They will not be disappointed. Soon, the Academy Awards will begin honoring stunts and it already feels like Ballerina is a clear frontrunner. de Armas in particular brings her A+ game as a very believable one-woman wrecking party. She uses every weapon and prop available dispatching wave after wave of villains in glorious fashion. Those who relish escalating creativity with their violence will be more than satiated as Eve causes chaos in fresh and exciting locales (that wouldn’t dare be spoiled here).

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Anyone squeamish about gore and wanton disregard for human life should avoid Ballerina. A major part of this series’ DNA is killing. Ballerina wears this characteristic proudly as people murder each other for the majority of the runtime in increasingly grotesque ways. Even well-seasoned veterans of the franchise may wince on occasion as Eve shoots, stabs, and explodes every person in sight. Also, if you’re seeking an actual story with depth, look elsewhere. The plot offers very little beyond a woman seeking to avenge her dad’s death as a defiant solo act. Character development? Narrative arcs? Ballerina has deemed these unnecessary. As such, Ballerina can feel a trifle exhausting by the time the shooting stops.

Ballerina was a tricky proposition that paid off. Naturally studio executives wanted to capitalize on the meteoric success of the John Wick films. But after four movies and a failed television show, the franchise was in danger of becoming stale. Fortunately, de Armas is so outstanding as Eve she breathes new life into the franchise in impressive fashion. Recommended for fans of the genre.

Recommended if you enjoyed: Atomic Blonde, The Old Guard, John Wick 2

Ballerina is available to see exclusively in theaters beginning on Friday, June 6^th.  

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