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Tom's Guide
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
'Ballerina' streaming date revealed — here's when you can watch the hit 'John Wick' spin-off at home
"From the World of John Wick: Ballerina," or simply "Ballerina," was one of our most anticipated summer movies when it landed in theaters on June 6. The next high-octane chapter in the "John Wick" franchise has been a hit with critics and audiences alike, and it's had a solid performance at the box office to boot. In our "Ballerina" review, streaming writer Martin Shore called it "a successful spinoff with thrills to spare." It's absolutely worth catching in theaters (and yes, it's still playing!), but I understand if fitting a movie night in your budget isn't everyone's priority these days. If you want to know when you can stream "Ballerina" from the comfort of your own couch, look no further. Here's everything you need to know about when "Ballerina" is coming to streaming. "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" will be available to buy or rent on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) services on Tuesday, July 1. You'll be able to buy or rent it from Amazon, Apple or your preferred digital storefront. Its purchase price will be $24.99, and since PVOD rentals tend to list for $5 less than purchase prices, "Ballerina" should be available to rent for 48 hours for $19.99. While the date of a streaming release still hasn't been revealed, "Ballerina" will premiere exclusively on Starz at some point in the future. If history serves, we expect "Ballerina" to arrive on Starz around November. Past releases have taken anywhere between 69 to 180 days to release on streaming after their box office debut. With these averages, a streaming release sometime in mid-November seems likely. Though "Ballerina" swaps out Keanu Reeves' iconic character for a new protagonist, the story beats will be familiar to fans of the series. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Set between the events of "Parabellum" and "John Wick: Chapter 4," "Ballerina" follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a deadly ballerina-assassin trained by the Ruska Roma under the guidance of The Director (Anjelica Huston) after Winston (Ian McShane) introduced her to the group. Years after her father's death at the hands of The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) and his elite team of killers, identifiable by the x-shaped scars on their arms, Eve begins spotting those same marks on criminals she encounters. Driven by vengeance, she sets out to uncover the truth and hunt them down.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Balletic grace in John Wick spin-off
THE vast John Wick Cinematic Universe is a place where grief is fuel and everyone owns a bulletproof suit and here, Ballerina struts in as a sleek, blood-splattered interquel with surprising elegance. Set between Parabellum and Chapter 4, this spin-off serves not only as connective tissue but also as a vehicle to introduce a fresh, revenge-driven protagonist into the world of coin-flipping, vow-bound assassins. And, yes, she dances. And yes, she kills, often at the same time. Put on your dancing shoes Helmed by Len Wiseman, a director best known for his stylish entries in the Underworld series, the film brings its signature flair to a new kind of assassin: one trained to pirouette before pulling the trigger. While the premise sounds like something cooked up in a fever dream – assassin ballerinas taking on underground cults – the execution (pun very much intended) is grounded in the franchise's distinct visual style and code-of-honour absurdity. It must be said the beginning of Ballerina is a bit of a slow burn. The first act leans heavily on exposition, world-building and wistful flashbacks. For those expecting instant mayhem, the setup may feel like waiting too long for a gun to go off. However, once the shoes are laced and the bullets start flying, the film snaps into place like a well-choreographed fight scene. The pacing issues early on are quickly forgiven thanks to an increasingly engaging plot, stylish kills and one-liner-filled banter from characters both new and familiar. Fans of the franchise will find plenty to geek out over, while newcomers will likely appreciate the sheer audacity of a film that treats pointed shoes like deadly weapons. Armas surprises and slays There was some scepticism when Ana de Armas was announced as the lead in an action-heavy John Wick spin-off. Known for her dramatic roles and subtle emotional range, few expected her to carry a full-blown action flick, much less one that requires both emotional depth and the stamina to survive close-quarters combat in heels. But surprise, surprise: she delivers. De Armas glides through the film's many combat sequences with intensity and physical commitment. Her character's transformation from vengeful trainee to full-blown threat feels earned and her performance never falls into caricature. She holds her own amid seasoned action vets, proving that yes, a ballerina can suplex someone through a table without breaking form. Bombs, ballet and brotherhood Ballerina is, in part, a Trojan horse for a Keanu Reeves appearance. And that is perfectly fine. While the franchise's beloved Baba Yaga does not hog the spotlight, his presence is undeniably a crowd-pleasing highlight. The film smartly uses his character to anchor the story, rather than distract from it. Still, viewers should temper expectations, this is not John Wick 5.5 and the focus never strays far from Eve's own revenge arc. That said, for anyone walking into the cinema thinking 'I just want to see John Wick fight someone again,' rest assured: patience will be rewarded. Beyond the gun-fu and shadowy assassins, Ballerina also dips into themes of legacy, betrayal and identity. While it does not spend too long philosophising (this is not The Godfather), the script does offer moments of emotional clarity amid the chaos. Family ties and buried secrets lend the film a layer of depth, making the action sequences more than just stylish mayhem. Still, the real highlight remains the inventive choreography. From close-quarter knife fights in velvet theatres to shootouts framed like a ballet recital gone terribly wrong, Ballerina injects some much-needed creativity into the modern action genre. It understands what the Wick-verse does best: turn violence into performance art. Watch it for the Wick, stay for the wreckage Ballerina succeeds because it knows what it is. It is not here to rewrite the formula, it is here to dance all over it in blood-soaked tights. De Armas proves herself more than capable in the action arena, the choreography is top-notch and the world-building continues to deepen the Wick lore in ways that feel exciting and absurdly operatic. Yes, the early pacing could have been snappier. Yes, some characters exist purely as cannon fodder. And yes, the entire concept teeters dangerously close to parody at times. But none of that matters when the third act kicks in and Ballerina fully embraces its role as a stylish, standalone thrill ride. Whether you are here for the Keanu cameo or just to watch a ballerina blow up a village of killers, Ballerina delivers. Just remember: do not expect a masterpiece. Expect carnage with class and that is more than enough. The poster teases the stylish spin-off that pirouettes straight into the John Wick universe.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ballerina Isn't The Hot Mess I Expected It To Be, But It Does Screw Up John Wick's Timeline
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina is one of the most hotly anticipated movies on the 2025 movie schedule. As a big fan of the franchise and the world it has created, it was high on my list, too. I was a little worried about how the reported problems with the production, including director Len Wiseman stepping away at one point because of a health issue, would turn it into a disaster on screen. I'm happy to report that it isn't the hot mess I feared it could be. Ballerina is actually pretty good. It does seem, however, that the production turmoil has led to a real problem with the franchise's timeline. Before I go any further, I have to make it clear that there will be major spoilers ahead for Ballerina (and the third and fourth John Wick movies, for that matter), so proceed with caution if you haven't seen the Ana de Armas-led action movie. Since very early on in the development of Ballerina, we've known that Keanu Reeves, who, of course, plays John Wick in four movies in the franchise, would make an appearance. We also knew that Ballerina would take place between the third and fourth installments of the John Wick movies. We just didn't know how big a role Reeves would have, or how it would work into the plot. Early in the movie, Eve (de Armas) sees Wick come to the theater where she is training with 'The Director,' played by Angelica Huston. What Eve sees, from a different perspective, is what audiences saw in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Wick is branded over his tattoo, indicating he is out of the Ruska Roma. As he is leaving the theater, he and Eve have a brief encounter. I have to wonder if this was originally supposed to be the full extent of Reeves' participation in the movie. It's well known that the director of the four principal John Wick movies, Chad Stahelski, stepped in after initial production wrapped to do re-shoots with Reeves, but just how much work he did is subject to debate. Some reports claim there were extensive re-shoots, but Stahelski himself has downplayed just how much he did. Stahelski told The Hollywood Reporter, We just went in for a couple of weeks. We changed some of the action sequences and made up for some time that Len just didn't have. He didn't have enough time to do some of the bigger shots that it deserved. Reeves' role is much bigger than I thought it would be, with Wick appearing in much of the final act. It seems that at least some of this footage is what Stahelski is responsible for. It is also the part of Ballerina that really messes with the franchise timeline. We know the story is supposed to take place between the third and fourth John Wick movies, and the first scene with Reeves in the theater seemingly confirms that, as we see the scene from Parabellum. We also know that Wick is in bad shape at the end of Parabellum, barely clinging to life after falling from the roof of The Continental. He's certainly not in any kind of shape to travel to Europe and take on a village of assassins, as he does alongside Eve in Ballerina. Most speculation is that there are about six months between Parabellum and Chapter Four, and we know that during that time, however long it is, he is recovering from his extensive injuries with The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). We also know that Wick has been expelled from the Ruska Roma by The Director, yet it is Wick whom she calls to help Eve in the village of their rivals. There is no possible way that he could have gotten back in fighting shape and back on good terms with The Director in those few months between the third and fourth movies. The only possible explanation is that there is a much larger time jump between the first time Eve meets him at the theater and when he joins her in the mountain village. It has to come after the events of Chapter Four, and after Wick has again recovered from the injuries he received in that movie. Unfortunately, none of that is made clear, so we're left to wonder just what is going on. It seems entirely possible that the final fight scene in Ballerina could have come many months after the scene in the theater, as Eve has already completed both her training and her first mission protecting the daughter of a rich client. BUT – that's not actually possible either, as at the end of Ballerina we see Eve checking in to The Continental with Charon (Lance Reddick) at the front desk, and Charon was tragically killed in Chapter 4. In the end, there just isn't a way to explain how the timeline isn't screwed up by Ballerina. Either John Wick would be too beat up to be that powerful in the village, or Charon has come back from the dead. Either way, it makes no sense. That's not to say it ruins Ballerina or the John Wick franchise. Given the complications of the production and the film's delays, we all just need to be okay with the glitch in the matrix, so to speak. This film still delivers in the ways I want to see in the John Wick universe film, it's just a little frustrating that the creative forces behind the franchise have elegantly built a really fun world, and this is a blemish on it. If you want to catch up or rewatch all four John Wick movies, you can do so with a Peacock subscription, which is how I made sure I wasn't going crazy with these timeline questions. Peacock TV: from $7.99 a month/$79.99 a yearCatch up on all the John Wick movies and the prequel show The Continental only on Peacock. For as little as $7.99 a month, you can also pay more for Peacock Premium and enjoy ad-free streams of both and much Deal
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ballerina movie review: Ana de Armas is a worthy successor to Keanu Reeves' John Wick in spendid, jaw-dropping actioner
There is a moment in Len Wiseman's Ballerina, where the protagonist Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is rebuked by her mentor, the Director (Anjelica Huston), for using brute strength in a fight against a man. "Fight like a girl," she tells her. The moment marks a shift in the tone of this John Wick spinoff, because thereon, Ana and the film ensure that they are no longer John Wick clones. Ballerina is a worthy successor to the John Wick series, and in some sequences, it even surpasses the originals. The film starts slow, but soon catches up with relentless action, magnificently choreographed action sequences, beautiful cinematography, and a sublime Ana de Armas. Ballerina is set before the events of John Wick Chapter 4, and includes the origins of the character we were introduced to in Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Eve Macarro's father was Ruska Roma, just like John Wick. But he was killed by a shady organisation for betraying them. Eve is raised by the Ruska Roma and trained to be an assassin. Years later, she comes across the same tribe that had killed her family. With the help of Winston Scott, the enigmatic owner of the New York Continental Hotel (Ian McShane), she begins her mission of vengeance. The only issue is that time - and John Wick - may not be on her side. Ballerina brings the world-building from John Wick, including the Continental, the shady world of Ruska Roma, and the lore of the assassins. But it does not depend on just them. That is a lure to bait the audience. Then, it builds the story of Eve, the ballerina who is an assassin. The buildup is slow, and the film tests your patience initially. The first 40 minutes may indicate that the film is just another John Wick story, like the ill-fated Continental series. There are lots of parallels, throwbacks, and it all starts to look a little 'been there, seen that'. But Ballerina checks itself quickly. Director Len Wiseman knows that the film's USP is its action and wisecracks, not the emotional depth (or the apparent lack of it). So, he quickly changes gears and sets up an hour and a half of nonstop butt-kicking, grenade-exploding, machine gun-firing action, wherein Eve finds newer and more innovative ways to kill, dismember, and mutilate people. All artistically done, of course. Part of the reason Ballerina does not look like a John Wick clone is how different Eve's fighting style is from John Wick's. She fights like a girl, relying more on swiftness, flexibility, agility, and finesse—all traits of a ballerina. Brute strength also comes into play, but the innovation in the action sequences suits Ana de Armas' frame and makes it all the more believable. The film's high points, though, are the times when Eve uses her toys. Two brilliant action set pieces highlight this. The first is in Prague, where Eve uses everything from knives to grenades and paints graffiti in blood on the screen. The action is visceral, gory, and yet beautiful. But it's the climactic firefight that takes the cake. Without giving much away, the sight of Eve with a flamethrower was reminiscent of Ripley from Aliens. The beauty of the sequence is how it manages to project the petite Ana de Armas as an unstoppable force. Ballerina also aces the art of using cameos. It brings back Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and Lance Reddick (in his final film appearance), but only as aides to prop up the world of Eve. Never does the film let them overshadow the protagonist. They support the narrative, draw a whistle or two, and then retreat into the background. Even more impressive is the film's handling of the elephant in the room - Keanu Reeves as John Wick. Having the character in just one throwaway scene with no action would have been too little. But going all out with fan service and making him the saviour would be an injustice to Ana. Writer Shay Hatten and Wiseman manage to find the middle ground and tread that path quite well. John Wick arrives, steals the scene, and then promptly gives the spotlight back to Eve. He is content to loom in the shadows, maintaining a commanding presence throughout, but never making it all about himself. Full marks to Keanu for that as well. Ballerina is a relentless action thriller that raises the bar after what John Wick has thrown at us. The performances may be nothing to write home about (despite the presence of Gabriel Byrne and Ian McShane), but the action and choreography make up for all that. Ballerina is a worthy successor to John Wick, and Ana de Armas shows that women can lead heavy-duty action franchises, too. Hope there is more from the world of Eve, both for her and the audience.
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Ballerina' Has Higher Audience Scores Than Every ‘John Wick' Movie
Ballerina It feels at least somewhat understandable to be skeptical of a John Wick spin-off movie, one that's a prequel and allows him to make a guest appearance while also being a significant part of the marketing. But Ballerina stands on its own legs, no pun intended, and at least by one metric, could be the best film in the whole series. Ballerina has a bit of an inverse curve going on. It is technically the worst-reviewed movie by critics in the John Wick franchise, albeit with a still solid 74%. But surprisingly, at present, Ballerina has a 94% audience score, which is well above some of the past movies and even inches past John Wick 4. Here's the breakdown. Ballerina The film stars Ana de Armas as a killer who is beginning her assassin training, and the events of the movie take place during Parabellum, meaning John Wick is alive to guest star (albeit not for long). The series also appears to be bringing Wick back to life for a fifth film, so we won't be without him for too long. The movie is being praised for its intense choreography and de Armas' fighting skills (well, plus her stunt doubles), and that's a high bar given that the Wick series has some of the best gunfights in film history. It's a common complaint that there are simply not enough women action stars compared to their male counterparts. It may be hard to pin down an actual ratio, but it's certainly uneven. Here, de Armas is establishing herself in the genre after dipping her toe in previously across from James Bond in a memorable, brief turn in No Time to Die. Ballerina It's worth noting that one of de Armas' breakout roles was Knock Knock, opposite, you guessed it, Keanu Reeves, so we're coming full circle here. De Armas has turned into an in-demand actress in Hollywood and even scored an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. It's encouraging to see that Ballerina is not just a cash-in on the John Wick name ('from the world of John Wick' still sounds weird as a tagline, however), but it actually stands up to the quality of the series, especially on the audience side, it seems. Certainly a must-watch from the sound of it. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
