by Hi, I’m a 25-year-old guy passionate about movies, especially action thrillers that go beyond just explosions and stunts. Today, I’m writing about the Ballerina movie, a gripping spin-off in the John Wick universe that stunned me with its emotional depth, brutal choreography, and a fresh female-led revenge arc. This film is more than a violent spectacle—it’s a portrait of transformation, trauma, and cold-blooded determination.
In this detailed breakdown, I’ll take you through the full arc of Rooney, the central character of the Ballerina movie. From her traumatic beginnings to her evolution into a full-fledged assassin, we’ll explore every important moment. I’ll also dive into the film’s placement within the John Wick timeline, the emotional themes, the action design, cameos, fan theories, and future possibilities.
1. Introduction to the Ballerina Movie Universe
The Ballerina movie is an official spin-off in the growing John Wick cinematic universe. While the John Wick series focused on the unstoppable Baba Yaga, this film introduces us to Rooney—a character who’s just as deadly, but emotionally far more complex. Unlike John, whose journey starts with loss, Rooney begins in rage and stays there—sharpening her grief into a blade.
This movie explores the darker corners of the assassin world, not from the top-down view of the High Table, but from the ground level—where pain, training, and blood are all part of growing up.
2. Who is Rooney? A Character Born from Tragedy
In the Ballerina movie, Rooney is introduced as a highly skilled dancer who grew up in the shadowy world of the Ruska Roma—the same underground crime family that raised John Wick. After her family is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Rooney’s trauma doesn’t make her retreat. It ignites something deep inside.
What makes her unique is her duality: she is both artist and executioner. Her ballet isn’t just performance—it’s discipline, expression, and suppressed rage. When she begins her mission to uncover her family’s killers, the transformation is terrifying.
Rooney’s grief isn’t silent. It screams in every action she takes. Her character arc is a descent into vengeance, but unlike John, she doesn’t mourn the person she was—she embraces the killer she becomes.
3. The Ruska Roma and the Making of an Assassin
To understand Rooney, we need to understand where she comes from. The Ballerina movie pulls us into the Ruska Roma’s hidden training camps—where dance, discipline, and death are tightly intertwined. Here, children are raised not just to perform, but to kill.
These scenes are powerful. We see Rooney as a child, struggling to meet impossible expectations. The training is brutal. Mistakes are punished with pain. But ballet becomes her outlet—her way of expressing hurt and rebellion.
By the time Rooney reaches adulthood, she’s a refined weapon. Her grace hides danger. And when she uncovers the conspiracy behind her family’s murder, she doesn’t hesitate. The past forged her body. The present shapes her soul.
4. Timeline and Canon: Where the Ballerina Movie Fits
One of the biggest questions fans had before the release was: when does the Ballerina movie take place? The answer: between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4.
That timing is crucial. It’s when the world of assassins is in chaos. John is on the run, the Continental is deconsecrated, and the High Table’s influence is shaking.
Rooney’s story fits perfectly in this timeline. She operates in the chaos. Her mission to hunt down those responsible for her family’s death takes her across cities already disrupted by Wick’s rebellion.
This overlap allows for subtle tie-ins with Wick’s narrative, without ever needing to overshadow Rooney’s journey. It’s a brilliant placement that respects both stories.
5. Plot Overview: A Vengeance-Fueled Ballet
The plot of the Ballerina movie begins in sorrow and spirals into bloodshed.
Rooney returns to her childhood home after years of living abroad. She learns that her father, mother, and younger brother were killed in what appears to be a robbery. But clues begin to surface—suggesting a targeted assassination.
As she pulls at the thread, Rooney discovers connections between her family and her former organization. Betrayals stack up. People she once trusted are now enemies.
Each lead brings her closer to the truth—and closer to the people responsible. The deeper she digs, the more violent the confrontations become. She hunts crime bosses, ex-assassins, and corrupt members of the Ruska Roma.
The plot balances investigation and action perfectly. And by the time Rooney finds the final killer, she’s no longer dancing. She’s roaring.
6. The Art of Violence: Choreography and Cinematography
Let’s talk about what makes the Ballerina movie visually stand out—its choreography.
Rooney’s fighting style is unlike any other. She uses her ballet training in combat—turning spins into evasions, leaps into attacks, and flexibility into unpredictable movement.
One fight sequence in a candle-lit opera house is a standout. Rooney performs a solo dance that transitions mid-performance into a surprise assassination. It’s chilling and hypnotic.
The cinematography is equally stunning. Long takes, fluid motion, and minimal cuts let the action breathe. The camera treats violence like art—sometimes beautiful, sometimes horrifying.
7. The Role of Music and Sound Design
Sound plays a huge role in the Ballerina movie. The score combines classical ballet themes with heavy bass and percussive beats during fight scenes.
There are moments where everything goes silent except for Rooney’s breath and footsteps—highlighting the tension before violence erupts.
Even bullets sound different here—like sharp notes in a deadly symphony. This blend of music and sound design adds layers to every scene.
8. Supporting Cast and Cameos: Ties to John Wick
The Ballerina movie doesn’t exist in isolation. We get returning faces from the John Wick world—including a brief but powerful appearance from Keanu Reeves as John himself.
He meets Rooney in a quiet scene that feels loaded with meaning. They don’t fight. They don’t team up. But they understand each other. There’s mutual respect—two weapons shaped by loss.
We also see a young Winston (played in a flashback), and a reference to Charon, the concierge. These touches enrich the world without overwhelming the main story.
9. Themes: Grief, Identity, and Power
What impressed me most was how emotional the Ballerina movie is. It’s about grief, yes—but also about identity.
Rooney doesn’t try to go back to who she was. Instead, she tries to decide what kind of killer she wants to be. Will she become like those who trained her? Or carve her own code?
The movie also explores the idea of power—especially feminine power. Rooney isn’t romanticized. She’s brutal, flawed, and angry. And the film allows her that space.
10. Fan Theories and Symbolism
After watching, I dove into Reddit and film forums—and fan theories about the Ballerina movie are already buzzing.
Some believe Rooney will be part of the new resistance against the High Table. Others think she could take over leadership of the Ruska Roma.
There’s also symbolism everywhere—ballet shoes tied in blood, mirrors breaking during transformations, scars hidden under stage makeup. Every detail feels loaded with meaning.
11. Box Office and Critical Reception
The Ballerina movie opened strong at the box office, thanks to hype from John Wick fans. Critics praised the film’s direction, Ana de Armas’ performance, and its raw visual language.
While some wanted more direct involvement from John Wick, most agreed that Rooney holds her own—and that this spin-off adds real value to the universe.
12. Will There Be a Sequel?
Based on post-credits hints and box office numbers, a sequel is almost guaranteed.
The ending sees Rooney walking away from the carnage—but not from the world of assassins. She’s changed forever. The final shot? Her placing a single ballet shoe on her brother’s grave—a silent promise that she’s not done.
A second Ballerina movie could explore:
- Rooney’s leadership
- A direct clash with the High Table
- A deeper dive into her past
Final Thoughts: Why Ballerina Deserves Attention
The Ballerina movie could’ve been a cash-grab spin-off. But it isn’t.
It’s raw, artistic, brutal, and deeply personal. Rooney isn’t John Wick in heels—she’s a different beast. Her anger isn’t cold—it’s volcanic. Her kills aren’t clean—they’re desperate.
This is the kind of action film I want more of—where character and emotion drive the violence. Where choreography isn’t just stylish, it’s story.
If you’re a fan of complex antiheroes, incredible visuals, and stories about pain turned into power, watch the Ballerina movie. It’ll stick with you.
