It’s time to grab your specialty coins and bulletproof blazers, because we’re returning to the John Wick franchise! We’re providing you with everything you need to know about From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, in cinemas now.
In this article, we’ll be discussing where the new movie fits into the series, everything we know about the titular Ballerina character, the action sequences, and we’ll also catch up on John Wick films thus far.
Ballerina stars Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out) as the titular dancer and assassin, Eve Macarro. Having been raised by the Ruska Roma, a large crime syndicate that holds a seat at the High Table, Eve is an elegant dancer and a dangerous weapon to whoever is in her way.
Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo Credit: Larry D. Horricks
In a recurring theme of the franchise, Eve’s journey in this movie will be exacting vengeance. Going against the Ruska Roma’s wishes, Eve hunts after the group that killed her father, led by the Chancellor, played by Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Hereditary).
The fifth entry in the series, Ballerina is directed by action veteran Len Wiseman (Underworld, Die Hard 4.0), with a script from Shay Hatten, who wrote the John Wick sequels. One of the original creators/directors of the franchise, Chad Stahelski, returned in a producing role.
The movie opens the door to more possibilities and opportunities for different perspectives in the High Table crime syndicate world.
As a brief history lesson: Back in 2014, John Wick began life as a sleeper hit action flick. The film starred Keanu Reeves as the legendary hitman who comes out of retirement after a Russian gang kills his pet beagle, Daisy, who was gifted by his recently deceased wife.
In the crime syndicate world, John Wick is known as the Baba Yaga, which means “the boogeyman”. Not because he is the boogeyman, but because he’s the person you send to KILL the boogeyman!
Reeves reunited with his old stunt double and coordinator, Stahelski, who directed the movie with a script written by Derek Kolstad. John Wick has been credited with not only revitalising the action genre and Reeves’ career but also popularising long single takes with choreographed and detailed action.
Ian McShane as Winston and Ana de Armas as Eve in ‘Ballerina’. Photo Credit: Larry D. Horricks for Lionsgate
The film became a modern staple and a pioneer of the action genre. Off the back of the movie’s success, we were given three mainline sequels and a spin-off/prequel TV series, The Continental: From the World of John Wick. The franchise has also expanded into comic books and video games.
You may be wondering how Ballerina fits into the series, especially if you know how Chapter 4 ends. Canonically, Ballerina acts as both a spin-off from the series and an in-between-quel to Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4.
For further context, during the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick is labelled as excommunicado by the High Table. With a large bounty on his head, he is being hunted by every assassin around.
To be granted a safe passage from New York to Casablanca, Wick returns to his old home, the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, where he presents a rosary to the Director. It was during this encounter where we find the lead character in Ballerina, Eve, who was training and was starstruck by seeing the Baba Yaga in person. After a brief encounter with John, Eve finds a new direction in becoming the next best assassin.
One of the most pivotal parts of the John Wick franchise is the highly choreographed fight scenes, as it creates an exciting fluidity with the long takes. Jeremy Marinas has returned as a stunt coordinator for Ballerina, who worked on the previous John Wick movies with Stahelski.
Various behind-the-scenes videos showed that de Armas worked extensively with the stunt and fight choreography team to prepare for the action sequences that Eve goes through in her journey. Between the hand-to-hand combat, car chases, and gun-fu, de Armas also appears to be using a flamethrower in the movie.
Norman Reedus as Daniel Pina in ‘Ballerina’. Photo Credit: Larry D. Horricks for Lionsgate
Also starring in Ballerina is fan favourite Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead, Death Stranding), who plays a new character, Daniel Pine. Not much has been said about the character so far, but Daniel Pine appears to be an assassin or mercenary connected to the High Table crime syndicate, which has a bounty on his head.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune: Part One, Doctor Who) is also in the movie as Nogi, Eve’s mentor. South Korean pop star Choi Soo-young of Girls’ Generation will also appear in the movie as Eve’s first field mission to protect from enemies.
Speaking of music, Halsey and Amy Lee of Evanescence collaborated on a song for Ballerina called Hand That Feeds. There’s no doubt that the song will complement the movie as we hear it on the big screen.
We’ll also get to see returning actors from previous instalments, including Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family, The Witches) as the Director of the Ruska Roma. The film will also make its way back to the New York Continental Hotel as a haven for Eve, where we’ll find the trusty owner, Winston, played by Ian McShane (American Gods, Deadwood), as well as the concierge, Charon, played by the late Lance Reddick (The Wire, The Guest). Ballerina will not only be Reddick’s final time playing Charon, but it’ll also be his last on-screen performance released after his passing in 2023.
The Baba Yaga himself will also make an appearance in Ballerina. Reeves will return as the legendary hitman and friend of dogs, John Wick. In the movie, two orphans raised by the Ruska Roma will face off in what should be an exceptional fight sequence for the series. Based on the training footage of the movie, it looks like Reeves was very committed and enthusiastic about being involved in the spin-off and working with de Armas with training for the fight choreography.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is in cinemas now
