John Wick Spin-Off Ballerina Opens to $75 Million Weekend

“Ballerina,” the first spin-off from the John Wick universe, stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a dancer-turned-assassin seeking vengeance against the cult that murdered her father. Set during the timeline of “John Wick: Chapter 3,” the film explores Eve’s journey within the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, contrasting with John Wick’s own desire to escape it, and features a cameo by Keanu Reeves reprising his role. The story highlights Eve’s transformation from a ballet trainee to a formidable assassin, using creativity and intelligence in combat, with action scenes set in a snowy Austrian town. Although Ana de Armas’s performance and the inventive action sequences received praise, critics noted that the film suffers from a convoluted narrative and some distracting plot elements. The movie emphasizes Eve’s personal trauma and determination, adding a feminine perspective to the franchise’s stylized violence and underworld lore. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the film has performed well at the box office and cements Ana de Armas as a rising star within the John Wick franchise.