June 06, 2025
shazia
After facing major delays and reports of extensive reshoots, Ballerina got a major boost when Chad Stahelski — the stuntman-turned-director behind all four John Wick films — stepped in to replace original director Len Wiseman. According to co-star Ian McShane, Stahelski joined the project to "protect the franchise."
And protect it he did — at least during the action. When the film kicks into full-throttle, hyper-violent mode, it absolutely delivers. The downside? That explosive action doesn’t arrive until the final 45 minutes, leaving more than an hour of sluggish setup to wade through.
When Ballerina slows down for backstory and world-building, it unfortunately loses steam. The film struggles to capture the tight pacing and slick satisfaction that defines the John Wick universe.
Still, fans will appreciate that the franchise’s signature dark humor remains intact — as do some delightfully over-the-top kills involving grenades, flamethrowers, and even an ice skate. Ana de Armas reportedly did much of her own stunt work, and it shows — her performance in the action scenes is fluid, fierce, and visually compelling.
While the reshoots successfully amped up the film's energy, they also added John Wick himself — a move that feels more like fan service than storytelling, and ends up detracting from the lead character’s arc.
The rebranding from simply Ballerina to From the World of John Wick: Ballerina kind of says it all.
🍿 What Critics Are Saying:
Don’t expect a gripping plot. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman called it "pure trash," while Amy Nicholson (LA Times) dismissed it as "a snooze."
But the action? That’s where it shines. Rolling Stone’s David Fear notes, “These movies live or die by their action sequences — and to its credit, this franchise expansion pack has a few good ones up its sleeve.”
👀 How to Watch:
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is now playing in theaters nationwide.
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