John Wick fans are gearing up for the exciting debut of From The World of John Wick: Ballerina on June 6th, 2025, which is the first spin-off in the John Wick universe. Ana de Armas stars as ballerina-turned-assassin Eve Macarro, who is pitted squarely against John Wick (Keanu Reeves) himself.
As audiences follow Eve through the thrilling storyline, they’ll experience a fresh perspective of Wick as the antagonist, adding interesting new layers and complexities to the beloved character.
John Wick as a relentless antagonist
The premise of Ballerina has the Director (Anjelica Huston) hiring John Wick to hunt down Eve. Since we’re following Eve as the sympathetic protagonist in this film, Wick operates as a relentless threat throughout this storyline. Rather than empathizing with Wick as we have done in previous films, audiences are presented with a fresh dose of moral ambiguity, showing how terrifying Wick’s actions can be from the point of view of his target.
This perspective also reinforces audiences’ perceptions of Wick as a hired assassin whose fearsome reputation precedes him at every turn. While later films in the franchise depict his character more as a protagonist out for personal vengeance, Ballerina underlines Wick’s origins in the criminal underworld, carrying out jobs as a matter-of-fact, professional hitman.
Ballerina‘s role in the franchise
Ballerina takes place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, with de Armas’ Eve Macarro on a quest for revenge after her father’s murder. Returning characters include Winston (Ian McShane), the Director (Anjelica Huston), Charon (the late Lance Reddick), and the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). They’ll be joined by new supporting characters like the mysterious Daniel Pine (Norman Reedus) and Eve’s mentor Nogi (Sharon Duncan-Brewster).
John Wick franchise fans will also be watching carefully for some of the series’ signature style throughout the action. Franchise director Chad Stahelski was famously a stuntman himself, and his perspective always comes through with seamless stunt sequences presented via steady wide shots. By avoiding overreliance on shaky cam or rapid editing, audiences can truly appreciate the performers’ extensive training and skill.
Although Ballerina was directed by Len Wiseman (known for the Underworld series, Live Free or Die Hard, and Total Recall), Stahelski’s influence as a producer still comes through in this film, especially because he directed many of the reshoots.
Remember, From The World of John Wick: Ballerina is scheduled to debut on June 6th, 2025, and you can catch it in theaters all over Los Angeles. The storyline presents John Wick in an exciting new light, paving the way for potential new stories and protagonists that could continue to grow the universe.