Ana de Armas Throws Down in "Ballerina": The John Wick Spin-Off That Actually Works
I'll admit it—when I first heard about another John Wick spin-off, I rolled my eyes. How many times can we revisit this world? But after watching the final trailer Lionsgate UK just released for "Ballerina," I'm completely sold. Ana de Armas isn't just joining the Wickiverse; she's making it her own with a blend of graceful movement and brutal violence that feels like a natural evolution of the franchise we've come to love.
Where Ballet Meets Brutality
The trailer opens with a sequence that genuinely took my breath away. De Armas, as the revenge-driven assassin Rooney, executes perfect ballet positions before seamlessly transitioning into combat moves that would make John Wick himself proud. There's something hypnotic about watching someone pirouette one moment and break a man's neck the next.
Director Len Wiseman seems to understand what makes the Wick films special—it's not just violence, but the artistry behind it. And placing the story between the events of "Chapter 3" and "Chapter 4" is a smart move that lets the film carve out its own identity while still giving us those connections we crave.
- Dance as Weapon: The fight choreography transforms classical ballet into something deadly yet beautiful—like watching a lethal performance art.
- Familiar Faces: Yes, Keanu makes an appearance, but it's refreshingly brief. This is de Armas' show, and the trailer knows it.
- Rooney's Journey: There's a haunted quality to de Armas' performance that suggests this isn't just about revenge, but redemption.
- Visual Feast: From moody European cathedrals to neon-soaked Tokyo streets, the film looks gorgeous without feeling like a travel brochure.
What impressed me most was learning that de Armas performed about 80% of her own stunts after intensive training in ballet and combat techniques. Remember her brief but scene-stealing role in "No Time to Die"? This feels like the full realization of what we only got a glimpse of there.
Finding Its Place in the Wick Timeline
For those of us who obsess over franchise continuity (guilty as charged), the trailer offers some clever winks that place it firmly between the third and fourth films:
| What We See | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Winston sporting that bandaged hand | We're definitely post-Continental rooftop scene |
| Charon still running the hotel | Before the events that unfold in Chapter 4 |
| High Table in disarray | Dealing with the power vacuum after Parabellum's climax |
From what I can gather, Rooney comes from the same Ruska Roma background that trained Wick, explaining their connection and his cameo. But don't expect him to swoop in and save the day—this story seems firmly focused on Rooney's personal vendetta after losing her mentor.
A Cast That Elevates Everything
While I'd watch Ana de Armas read a phone book at this point (her range from "Knives Out" to "Blonde" has been remarkable), the supporting cast here is just as intriguing:
- Gabriel Byrne brings gravitas as Rooney's murdered mentor (and nobody does gravitas quite like Byrne).
- Catalina Sandino Moreno appears as someone from Rooney's past—their shared scenes crackle with tension.
- Lance Reddick makes what will sadly be his final appearance as Charon, making this film even more poignant for fans.
- Norman Reedus is supposedly playing a tracker, which feels like pitch-perfect casting.
- Ian McShane returns as Winston, and his loaded exchange with Rooney suggests their relationship won't be smooth.
Beyond the "Strong Female Character" Cliché
Haven't we all grown tired of action films that simply drop a woman into a traditionally male role without adapting anything else? What's refreshing about "Ballerina" is how it seems to have built its action identity around de Armas' strengths.
Rooney's fighting style incorporates ballet in a way that makes perfect sense for her character and background. She's not trying to fight like Wick—she's developing her own deadly approach that honors both her training and her femininity. And from the glimpses we get of her emotional journey, this isn't going to be a one-note revenge story, either.
Why I'm Actually Excited
Look, we've all been burned by spin-offs before. Remember "Hobbs & Shaw"? But "Ballerina" seems to understand what made the original John Wick films special—the commitment to craft, the lived-in world-building, and the emotional core beneath all that stylized violence.
Ana de Armas has quietly become one of the most versatile actors working today, and seeing her take on this physically demanding role feels like watching a star fully embrace her power. The choreography balances brutality with beauty in a way that feels true to the franchise while offering something new.
Will it have the same cultural impact as the original Wick films? Maybe not. But as someone who's grown weary of meaningless franchise extensions, I'm genuinely looking forward to watching de Armas dance her way through the Wickiverse when "Ballerina" premieres on June 6, 2025. If nothing else, it'll be a fascinating addition to a world that still has stories worth telling.
