The latest entry in the John Wick universe, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, has resonated exceptionally well with audiences, achieving a remarkable 93% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This score ties it with John Wick: Chapter 4, the highest audience rating in the franchise to date. Despite mixed critical reactions, viewers have clearly embraced the film, highlighting its strengths and reinforcing its place as a notable addition to the expanding John Wick world.
Ana de Armas Shines as Action Heroine Eve Macarro
In Ballerina, Ana de Armas takes center stage as Eve Macarro, a skilled assassin on a ruthless quest for revenge against a shadowy organization known as Cult. De Armas, renowned for dynamic performances in films such as No Time to Die and The Gray Man, proves once again her exceptional capabilities as an action star. Her compelling portrayal of Eve, combined with her dedication to performing challenging stunts, ensures she never fades into the background, even alongside franchise icon Keanu Reeves.
Audience Embraces Action and Intensity
While critics have pointed out narrative weaknesses, with the plot occasionally struggling for cohesion, audiences clearly prioritized the intense and superbly choreographed action scenes. Ballerina pushes the envelope even further than its predecessors, delivering some of the most visceral, brutal, and thrilling sequences in the franchise. This heightened intensity seems to have struck a chord with viewers, who have praised the film’s commitment to adrenaline-pumping violence and relentless pacing.
A Big Win for the Franchise After The Continental
The overwhelmingly positive audience response to Ballerina is a significant victory for the John Wick franchise, especially following the more modest reception of the Peacock series The Continental. Although the series achieved moderate approval (77% audience, 63% critics), it did not quite capture the high bar set by the films. Ballerina, on the other hand, has successfully revived the momentum of the franchise’s expansion, reassuring fans that the franchise remains vibrant and engaging even outside the central narrative arc of John Wick himself.
| John Wick Movies & Series | Critical Rotten Tomatoes Score | Audience Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| John Wick (2014) | 86% | 82% |
| John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | 89% | 85% |
| John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) | 89% | 86% |
| John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) | 94% | 93% |
| The Continental (2023) | 63% | 77% |
| Ballerina (2025) | 71% | 93% |
A Promising New Direction
The success of Ballerina and the audience’s enthusiastic reception of Ana de Armas suggest that Eve Macarro could indeed carry future installments of the franchise. Her character, imbued with intensity, physicality, and emotional resonance, has potential to become a worthy successor or a strong companion piece to John Wick.
Ultimately, Ballerina proves that despite initial skepticism and production hurdles, the franchise’s first major spinoff film has clearly hit its mark. Fans have spoken, solidifying Ana de Armas’ Eve as a compelling action figure within the beloved John Wick universe.