Sola Benson

Lionsgate has unveiled a thrilling new trailer for Ballerina, now officially titled From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. While the title may be a mouthful, the trailer itself is anything but clunky—delivering the high-octane, stylized action fans have come to expect from the John Wick franchise. 

The trailer culminates in a face-off between Ana de Armas’ titular ballerina-assassin and none other than John Wick himself, played by Keanu Reeves.

Setting the Stage: Ballerinain the John Wick Timeline

Chronologically, Ballerina is set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. In that film, Wick is declared excommunicado by the High Table for killing crime lord Santino D'Antonio on the grounds of the Continental. On the run with a bounty on his head, Wick seeks refuge with the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, led by the Director (Anjelica Huston). 

It’s here that we learn Wick’s origins: born Jardani Jovonovich, he was trained as an assassin by the syndicate. The Director also trains young girls to become ballerina-assassins, and one such dancer, Eve Macarro (originally played by Unity Phelan), is the protagonist of Ballerina, now portrayed by Ana de Armas.

Returning and New Faces

The film brings back several familiar faces from the John Wick universe, including Anjelica Huston as the Director, Ian McShane as Winston, and the late Lance Reddick in his final appearance as Charon, the Continental’s concierge. New additions to the cast include Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor, the main villain who turns an entire town against Eve; Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Nogi, Eve’s mentor; Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine; and Catalina Sandino Moreno and David Castaneda in undisclosed roles.

A Deeper Dive into Eve’s Story

The first trailer, released in September 2023, focused heavily on Eve’s backstory, showing Winston recruiting her as an orphan and training her in combat skills like boxing, martial arts, and weaponry. The trailer also teased her quest for vengeance against her father’s killer, leading to intense action sequences, including a flamethrower fight, and a brief encounter with John Wick.




The new trailer, however, gives Wick significantly more screen time. It opens with a voiceover from Nogi, Eve’s mentor, referencing Slavic mythology: “In Slavic mythology, the Kikimora is a spirit that exists in the shadows. To those with darkness in their hearts, she can be vengeful. But to the innocent, she can be a protector. It’s up to you to choose.”

Eve chooses vengeance, checking into the Continental to hunt down a tribe marked by a distinctive forearm tattoo. Winston warns her of the dangers: “Needing to know is what got us cast out of the Garden of Eden. Are you prepared to be cast out again, Eve?” Undeterred, Eve arms herself for a mission to hunt “large game.”

A Rising Conflict

Eve’s actions quickly escalate into a larger conflict. Her use of a flamethrower is seen by the Chancellor as a declaration of war, prompting the Director to send John Wick to “solve the problem.” The trailer teases a showdown between Eve and Wick, leaving fans to wonder: Can Eve hold her own against the legendary Baba Yaga?

What to Expect

Ballerina promises to deliver the same adrenaline-pumping action, intricate world-building, and stylish visuals that have made the John Wick franchise a global phenomenon. With Ana de Armas leading the charge and Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role, the film is poised to expand the John Wick universe while exploring new characters and stories.

As the trailer suggests, Eve’s journey is one of vengeance, resilience, and self-discovery—but it’s also a collision course with the deadly world of John Wick. Fans of the franchise won’t want to miss this explosive addition to the series.

Ballerina is set to hit theaters soon, and if the trailer is any indication, it’s going to be a wild ride.