From Bond to ‘Ballerina’: Ana de Armas Finds Her Franchise

Synopsis: An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father’s death.
Director: Len Wiseman
Stars: Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno

The James Bond film, No Time to Die, featured an action sequence with Ana de Armas. It was a scene-stealing moment, and many felt that there could be a spinoff of her character. That never materialized. Instead, she went on to star in the action-rom-com Ghosted, but the reviews were not outstanding.

Fortunately, a project came along that was able to capitalize on her action prowess. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina takes place in the world that Keanu Reeves made famous. Arguably, the John Wick series is the best thing Reeves ever did, and if not that, it’s a close second to The Matrix series. And while it may be too early to tell the influence this will have on de Armas’ career, there is no doubt this is the project we were hoping for after No Time to Die.

De Armas plays Eve, whom we first meet as a young girl. Her father fends off a group of assassins who have come to kill him. He manages to save Eve’s life but is ultimately killed in the process.

Eve is taken in by Winston (Ian McShane reprising the role he made famous in the four previous John Wick movies). Winston brings Eve to ‘The Director’ (Angelica Huston), and her dual training as a ballerina and an assassin begins.

This is Eve’s origin story—we see that her childhood trauma fuels her drive, keeping her fire alive even when she falters, whether it’s on the ballet stage or when sparring.

Her training is somewhat reminiscent of Bruce Wayne’s in Batman Begins, and before people flip out over that comparison, I did say, somewhat.

Fast forward to adult Eve—now a full-fledged assassin for hire. After completing a contract, she crosses paths with a baddie and recognizes a familiar scar: one belonging to one of the men who killed her father. The discovery reignites her need for revenge, setting her on a dangerous path—despite strict orders from her mentor, the Director, who forbids it.

Well, tell someone not to do something… and you know what happens. Eve is out for blood, and her quest leads her straight to the head of the snake: the ruthless Chancellor, played by a menacing Gabriel Byrne.

While the trailer gives away a few key moments, there’s still plenty to savour. As a film aligned with the John Wick franchise, you can expect a high body count and a lot of violence. Pretty much everything is used as a weapon: guns, knives, ice skates, the list goes on and on.

The film includes some outstanding fight choreography. Director Len Wiseman has taken the baton from Chad Stahelski and used the winning formula. Remember, the John Wick series is based on revenge — a man seeking payback for his dog that was killed. This time, Eve is out for revenge against the people who killed her father.

Ana de Armas follows in the footsteps of powerhouse actors like Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Chastain—actors known for their strong, dramatic work who’ve also made their mark in action. And while the film boasts a strong ensemble, it’s de Armas who truly shines. She doesn’t just play the role—you believe she is Eve.

The third act of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a bit of a mixed bag. While there are a few interesting plot twists that almost work, the story requires a hefty suspension of belief for it to make sense; logic takes a back seat. On the other hand, de Armas, as she does in most of her performances, commands the screen. As a lover of film, I truly appreciate her range and that she can blend seamlessly between so many genres.

Ballerina is an enjoyable film, and there will undoubtedly be more films in the World of John Wick franchise.

Grade: B

Watch the movie trailer: