Ever since John Wick first picked up a pistol and set out on a path of revenge, the franchise has become one of the most entertaining action series of the last decade. What started in 2014 as a story about a retired hitman mourning the loss of his dog and his car has grown into a sprawling world filled with assassins, secret societies, underground hotels, and rules that everyone seems to follow without question. Gold coins carry more weight than cash; the Continental stands as neutral ground, and every fight feels like a work of art. Few action franchises have managed to create a world this memorable while continuing to raise the bar with each new instalment.

Now, if you’ve followed Many Men Magazine for a while, you’ll know we’re huge fans of the John Wick universe, so when ‘Ballerina’ was announced, we got goosepumps everywhere. The film is set between ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ and ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, with Eve Macarro, played by Ana de Armas, a deadly assassin trained by the Ruska Roma.

There were many reports of delays, rewrites, and additional filming, which usually make fans nervous, and understandably so. Thankfully, none of that shows on screen. Instead, the film arrives with the same feeling we had from the John Wick franchise, with a clear sense of identity. Rather than trying to turn Eve into a female version of John Wick, the film allows her to stand on her own. Ana de Armas brings plenty of intensity to the role, mixing elegance with brutality in a way that feels natural in the underworld.

With many returning cast members such as Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick helping tie everything together, and yes, you heard me, “The Baba Yaga” himself is back on the big screen. There’s still plenty of room for new stories beyond the Baba Yage himself that expand the world in meaningful ways while introducing a character who is more than capable of carrying the spotlight herself.

Revenge is a familiar theme in the John Wick universe, but Ballerina takes a fresh approach. Ana de Armas stars as Eve Macarro, a ballerina who trains with the Ruska Roma—the same group that once shaped John Wick—and becomes an assassin. Unlike Wick, who spent years trying to leave this world behind, Eve chooses to step into the underworld. Her drive comes from unanswered questions, a desire for revenge, and a need to settle a score that has haunted her since childhood.

Under the guidance of the Director, played brilliantly by Anjelica Huston, Eve learns to turn pain into purpose, which is what makes this character work so well; however, she isn’t introduced as an untouchable assassin like John Wick. Instead, she’s still finding her place, still making mistakes, and still learning the brutal realities of the life she’s chosen, defined by her anger, impulsivity, and often being outnumbered, which adds an extra level of tension to every fight she goes into.

One of the film’s smartest decisions is embracing the idea of “fight like a girl.” Rather than turning Eve into a copy of John Wick, the action that is built around her gives her the strength that she needs from adapting, improvising, and using whatever is available at hand, whether it was plates, a knife, a pair of ice skates or something even less conventional, Eve constantly finds creative ways to survive. This gives the film the action it deserves and delivers the bone-crunching brutality fans expect from this franchise.

Directed by Len Wiseman, with additional input from Chad Stahelski, the film expands the Wick universe without leaning too heavily on what came before, giving the impression that it doesn’t seem like a spin-off searching for a reason to exist in the underworld. This familiar mythology is still there, but it gives Eve’s story a different perspective on this world. Instead of following a legendary assassin at the peak of his powers, we’re watching someone earn her place through blood, bruises, and sheer determination.

Ana de Armas carries much of that burden on her shoulders, and she does it with confidence. After making an impression in ‘No Time to Die’ from James Bond’s franchise, she fully steps into leading-lady territory here. The physical commitment is obvious, but it’s the humanity she brings to Eve that leaves the biggest impact. She sells the action, but she also makes you care about the person caught in the middle. By the time the credits roll, there’s little doubt that she’s capable of carrying this corner of the franchise into the future.

The supporting cast also deserves a lot of praise. Ian McShane easily returns as Winston, while Lance Reddick’s last appearance as Charon adds emotion that longtime fans will notice. Gabriel Byrne is known as the leader of a mysterious group of assassins, bringing a quiet sense of danger to his scenes. Together, they help Ballerina feel like a true part of the world that fans have enjoyed for the last ten years.

Spin-offs often face the same problem by spending so much time reminding audiences of the original franchise that they forget to tell their own story. Ballerina avoids that mistake. While the film is clearly set in the John Wick timeline, it never feels like it is copying someone else’s identity. Instead, it uses the familiar world as a base and creates something unique from the moment Eve takes centre stage. One of the biggest differences between Eve and John Wick is the motivation behind each character. Wick spent much of his journey trying to leave this life behind. Eve is looking for answers. Every fight, every clue, and every choice moves her closer to the truth. That emotional connection gives the story real energy and makes it easy to care about her mission.

The film also benefits from exploring parts of the Wick universe that earlier movies only briefly showed. We spend more time with the Ruska Roma, learn more about how assassins are trained, and see what life is like for someone trying to build a reputation rather than protect one. This different perspective adds depth to a world fans have been interested in for over 10 years. Instead of focusing on a famous assassin at the peak of his skills, Ballerina shows what it takes to become one in the first place.

Of course, the action is still the main attraction. Working with the stunt experts at 87Eleven, the filmmakers keep the series’ tradition of long shots, intense fight scenes, and creative combat. But Ballerina adds its own twist to the franchise. The fights feel more raw, unpredictable, and often more creative than expected. Eve is not the kind of character who walks into a room and takes control right away. She has to adapt, think on her feet, and fight her way out of danger. One standout scene in an Austrian village gives some of the film’s most memorable moments, mixing the series’ usual chaos with a setting very different from the neon-lit streets we are used to.

Filmed across Prague, Budapest, and the Austrian Alps, Ballerina gives the John Wick universe a striking new backdrop. The settings are more than just scenery—they ground the story and add a sense of place to Eve’s journey, from opulent hotels to hidden alleyways to snow-dusted villages, giving it that appearance that is meant for the big screen. When the credits roll, it’s clear this is more than a side story—it’s the beginning of a new legacy in the John Wick world.

Since 2014, the John Wick movies have mostly told their story from John Wick’s perspective. Each sequel added new places, groups, and characters, but the focus always returned to him. Ballerina changes things up. Instead of depending on John Wick to drive the story, the film centers on Eve and the world around him. This makes the movie feel like more than just a side story—it’s a real chance to explore parts of the underworld that earlier films only hinted at.

With this wider view, the film spends more time with the Ruska Roma and introduces new characters who aren’t under the High Table’s control. One of them is Gabriel Byrne’s Chancellor, who leads a secretive cult and adds even more danger to the story. These new elements don’t just raise the stakes—they show that the John Wick world is bigger than what we’ve seen before, full of rival groups, old partnerships, and hidden secrets that still affect what happens.

With returning casts that help tie everything together, starting with Ian McShane, who easily steps back into Winston’s role, and Anjelica Huston stands out again as the Director. Lance Reddick’s last appearance as Charon is especially meaningful, giving a proper send-off to a favourite character. Even though these roles aren’t the main focus, each one matters and keeps Ballerina connected to the earlier films.

Keanu Reeves returns, but in a more limited way than many fans might expect, which turns out to be a smart choice. His part matters, but the filmmakers make sure Eve’s story stays at the center. This gives Ana de Armas the chance to make her mark in the series. By the end, it shows that the John Wick world can be interesting even without John Wick in the spotlight, making room for new characters and stories while honouring what made the series special.

Stepping into a franchise as popular as John Wick comes with expectations, especially when audiences have spent more than a decade following one of modern action cinema’s most iconic characters. Fortunately, the film never spends its time trying to replace John Wick or imitate what made those films successful. Instead, it builds on that foundation while introducing a character and story that feel worthy of standing alongside it. Between the inventive action, memorable performances, stunning locations, and continued expansion of the mythology, Ballerina gives fans plenty of reasons to return to this world.

A big reason for the film’s success is Ana de Armas, who shows she has everything it takes to lead a major action series. Len Wiseman, the stunt team, and everyone working behind the scenes also deserve praise for creating fight scenes that are both creative and intense. Most importantly, the movie keeps its focus on the characters, even during the wildest moments. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the John Wick world or just want an action movie with more than nonstop explosions, Ballerina is worth watching and considered one of the best action films today. If this is just the beginning for Eve Macarro, we’re excited to see what comes next.

IMDb: 6.8 | Tomatometer: 75% | Popcornmeter: 92% | Average: 78.3

Rating: ★★★★☆