The John Wick universe is about to expand in a bold new direction. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is officially hitting theaters on June 6, 2025, with Ana de Armas leading the charge in what promises to be a visceral, stylish, and emotionally driven revenge thriller. Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard), this long-anticipated spinoff explores the deadly ballet of vengeance from a fresh perspective—this time, through the eyes of a woman forged by the same brutal underworld that shaped John Wick himself.
A New Protagonist Steps Into the Spotlight
De Armas plays Eve Macarro, a trained ballerina and assassin from the Ruska Roma—the same shadowy organization that raised and trained John Wick. Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina digs into Eve’s past as she tracks down the killers of her family, unleashing a bloody vendetta against powerful underworld figures.
In a recently released trailer, de Armas is seen executing elaborate fight choreography, stunt-heavy action scenes, and brooding moments of introspection. It’s a reminder that while Ballerina carries the sleek violence the franchise is known for, it’s also rooted in emotional trauma and the cost of revenge.
What Sets Ballerina Apart?
Unlike Wick’s path, Eve’s journey brings a new texture to the franchise. The film explores themes of grief, identity, and feminine rage in a world typically dominated by men. From smoky underground cabarets to ice-covered streets and blazing infernos, the “fire versus ice” motif teased in earlier promotional materials is more than visual—it reflects the emotional temperature of its protagonist.
Ana de Armas has described the experience as “one of the most intense roles” she’s ever taken. One particularly brutal flamethrower scene left the actress in tears after filming, underscoring just how physically and emotionally demanding the shoot was.
Familiar Faces and Final Farewells
The film features a robust supporting cast from the John Wick saga:
- Keanu Reeves returns briefly as John Wick in a pivotal scene that deepens the mythology and helps guide Eve’s path. Early viewers have called their dynamic both tense and unexpectedly heartfelt.
- Anjelica Huston reprises her role as the Director of the Ruska Roma, expanding the lore around this secretive assassin academy.
- Norman Reedus joins the franchise in an undisclosed role, reportedly one that intersects violently with Eve’s quest.
- Ian McShane returns as Winston, manager of the Continental Hotel.
- Lance Reddick, in one of his final performances, once again appears as Charon, offering a poignant farewell to one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
Why the Delay?
Ballerina was originally slated for a 2024 release but was pushed back to summer 2025. According to reports, the delay allowed for additional action sequences and reshoots aimed at raising the film’s quality to the franchise’s exacting standards. Sources close to production said the extra time gave Wiseman and the stunt team an opportunity to “Wick-ify” the film further, adding more of the precise, balletic combat fans expect.
Expanding the Wickverse
While Ballerina stands on its own, it continues to deepen the web of the John Wick world. It joins other spinoffs like The Continental (Peacock’s limited series) and the planned John Wick 5, currently in early development. Each project aims to flesh out the criminal organizations, secret codes, and deadly etiquette that fans have become obsessed with.
But Ballerina is different—more intimate, more brutal, and potentially the most emotionally resonant entry yet. If John Wick is about reclaiming a lost life, Ballerina is about building one from the ashes.
With powerful performances, creative action, and a protagonist who burns as fiercely as any Baba Yaga, Ballerina is shaping up to be a must-see chapter in one of modern cinema’s most unique action franchises.
Key Takeaways
- “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” arrives in theaters on June 6, 2025, starring Ana de Armas as a revenge-seeking assassin.
- The film expands the John Wick universe with returning characters and the franchise’s signature action style.
- The new trailer showcases a “fire versus ice” theme and hints at a possible appearance by Keanu Reeves as John Wick.
Exploring the New Trailer
The new trailer for “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” showcases stunning action sequences and reveals more about the revenge-driven story. Set against a haunting remix of Charli XCX’s “Von Dutch,” the trailer provides deeper insight into the film’s connection to the John Wick universe.
Introduction to ‘Ballerina’
“Ballerina” is set within the expanding John Wick universe and will arrive in theaters on June 6, 2025. The film follows a trained assassin seeking vengeance for the murder of her family.
The trailer opens with a Slavic mythological monologue, connecting to the Ruska Roma organization that plays a key role in the John Wick franchise. This criminal ballet school trained both John Wick and the new protagonist.
The film serves as both a spinoff and prequel, taking place between the events of “John Wick: Chapter 3” and “Chapter 4.” It expands the rich mythology while maintaining the distinctive visual style that fans have come to expect.
Key Scenes and Moments
The trailer features intense action sequences showcasing the ballet-like precision of the assassin’s fighting style. One standout moment involves a face-off described as “fire vs ice,” likely referring to contrasting combat styles.
Several familiar faces from the John Wick franchise appear, including the late Lance Reddick in one of his final performances as Charon, the Continental Hotel’s concierge. Ian McShane also returns as Winston, the Continental’s manager.
The trailer’s action is set to a dark, moody rendition of “Von Dutch,” creating a tense atmosphere that perfectly complements the visuals. Flamethrowers, gunfights, and balletic combat sequences highlight the film’s commitment to innovative action choreography.
Ana de Armas as the Lead
Ana de Armas stars as the titular ballerina, bringing both emotional depth and physical capability to the role. Known for her performances in “No Time to Die” and “Knives Out,” de Armas underwent extensive training for this physically demanding part.
The trailer showcases her transformation into a deadly assassin, combining graceful movement with brutal efficiency. Her character’s connection to the Ruska Roma ballet academy suggests she shares training with John Wick himself.
De Armas appears alongside an impressive supporting cast including Anjelica Huston and Gabriel Byrne. The trailer hints at a possible confrontation with Keanu Reeves’ John Wick character, though the extent of his appearance remains unclear.
Connections to the John Wick Universe
The “Ballerina” film carefully weaves itself into the rich tapestry of the John Wick franchise through shared mythology, familiar faces, and narrative connections to previous chapters.
Assassin Traditions and Mythology
“Ballerina” expands on the intricate underground world of assassins established in the John Wick franchise. The film continues to explore the gold coin currency system that governs transactions in this shadowy realm. We see glimpses of the High Table’s influence, the ruling body that maintains order among assassins.
The Continental hotel, a neutral ground for assassins, also appears to play a role in the narrative. This sacred space where “no business can be conducted” maintains its importance in the universe’s strict code of conduct.
The trailer shows Ana de Armas’s character following similar ritualistic preparations for missions that John Wick fans will recognize, suggesting the film maintains the franchise’s established mythology about how assassins operate within this world.
Returning Characters and Cast
Several familiar faces from the John Wick franchise appear in “Ballerina,” creating strong connective tissue between the films. Most notably, Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick himself, though the trailer suggests his role may be antagonistic to Ana de Armas’s character.
Anjelica Huston reprises her role as The Director, the head of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate who was introduced in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” Her character appears to have connections to the ballerina assassin training program.
The late Lance Reddick makes one of his final appearances as Charon, the Continental’s concierge. Ian McShane likely returns as Winston, the Continental’s manager, maintaining continuity with the broader universe.
Tie-Ins with Previous Chapters
“Ballerina” is set between the events of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “John Wick: Chapter 4,” filling in story gaps between these installments. This timeline placement allows the film to reference events from earlier movies while setting up elements for later chapters.
The training program for ballerina assassins was first introduced in “Parabellum,” where we saw young dancers being trained as killers. Ana de Armas’s character emerges from this program, giving viewers deeper insight into this aspect of the John Wick world.
The trailer hints at a revenge plot similar to John Wick’s original motivation, suggesting thematic parallels. With Donnie Yen’s Caine appearing in “Chapter 4” and Gabriel Byrne joining the cast, “Ballerina” appears to bridge crucial narrative developments across the franchise’s timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
The movie “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” has generated many questions from fans eager to see this new entry in the popular franchise. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the upcoming film.
Who stars in the film ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
Ana de Armas leads the cast as the ballerina assassin. The film also features several returning actors from the John Wick universe, including Keanu Reeves reprising his role as John Wick.
Anjelica Huston and Gabriel Byrne also have significant roles in the film. Lance Reddick appears as well, in what may be one of his final performances following his passing.
The casting brings together established stars from the franchise and new faces to expand the John Wick universe.
What is the plot of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
The film follows a female assassin seeking revenge against those who killed her family. Set within the established John Wick universe, the story explores another aspect of the elaborate criminal underworld.
Based on trailer footage, the protagonist appears to have connections to the ballet academy seen in previous John Wick films. This organization serves as both a training ground for assassins and a front for criminal activities.
The plot appears to maintain the stylized action and complex underworld rules that fans of the franchise have come to expect.
Will ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ tie into the events of ‘John Wick 4’?
The film is designed to fit within the established John Wick timeline, though exact connections to John Wick 4 remain unclear. The trailer suggests that Keanu Reeves’ character has a supporting role rather than merely a cameo.
The inclusion of other established characters from the franchise indicates strong connections to the main storyline. The movie likely fills in gaps or expands on events mentioned in previous films.
Fans can expect to see familiar locations, organizations, and mythology that connect to the broader John Wick saga.
What are the critical reviews for ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
As of March 2025, complete critical reviews are not yet available since the film is scheduled for release on June 6, 2025. Early reactions to the trailer have been generally positive.
Critics and fans have praised the action sequences showcased in the trailer, noting they maintain the high-octane style the franchise is known for. Ana de Armas’ performance as the lead has generated particular interest.
More comprehensive reviews will emerge closer to the release date.
Can ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ be watched independently of the John Wick series?
The film appears to be designed as both a standalone story and a complement to the main John Wick series. New viewers will likely be able to follow the primary revenge plot without extensive knowledge of previous films.
However, many references, characters, and world-building elements will be more meaningful to those familiar with the franchise. The film builds upon the established rules and organizations from previous entries.
The studio seems to be balancing appealing to longtime fans while still welcoming newcomers to the franchise.
What are some behind-the-scenes details about the making of ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’?
The film maintains the franchise’s commitment to practical stunts and carefully choreographed action sequences. Ana de Armas reportedly underwent extensive training to perform many of her own stunts.
The production team includes many veterans from the John Wick series, ensuring consistency in visual style and action choreography. The creators have emphasized maintaining the distinctive look and feel of the John Wick universe.
The film represents an expansion of the franchise beyond the central character, potentially setting up more spin-offs and stories within this world.
