The much-anticipated action-thriller ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ has finally hit theatres in India, with early reactions from moviegoers suggesting the spin-off has lived up to the hype. Starring Ana De Armas in the lead and featuring Keanu Reeves in a key role, the film is the fifth entry in the popular ‘John Wick’ franchise.

Directed by Len Wiseman and penned by Shay Hatten, ‘Ballerina’ is positioned as a sidequel to ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ (2019), taking place before the events of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ (2023). The narrative follows Eve Macarro (Ana De Armas), a deadly assassin shaped by the Ruska Roma organisation, who embarks on a ruthless mission to avenge her family’s murder.

“A highly skilled assassin on a relentless quest for vengeance against those who destroyed her family,” reads the official plot summary, while BookMyShow describes the film as: "An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death."

Joining De Armas and Reeves are Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Norman Reedus. The film also sees the return of franchise veterans Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick in his final on-screen appearance.

Social media platform X, is abuzz with first impressions from Indian audiences, many of whom are praising the film’s high-octane sequences and the emotional weight behind De Armas’ performance. One user wrote, “Peak action sequences and a banger film indeed! Enjoyed the film till the end.”

 

Another wrote, “Ana de Armas delivers an incredible performance, showcasing intense choreography.”

“From the world of John Wick, Ballerina is pure adrenaline. No complex story, just non-stop thrill,” wrote another user.

A X user wrote, “Ana De Armas is great, John Wick has a very great and very serviceable cameo.”

The release marks a reunion for Ana De Armas and Keanu Reeves nearly a decade after they co-starred in the 2015 psychological thriller ‘Knock Knock,’ which also marked De Armas' debut in English-language cinema. Now, they return together in a project that expands the gritty, choreographed universe of ‘John Wick’ with a new, female-led narrative.

The Cuban-Spanish actress’s portrayal of Eve Macarro has been singled out for praise online, with fans calling her action scenes “sharp” and “emotionally intense.” Meanwhile, Reeves’ appearance as the legendary John Wick is being celebrated as a fitting bridge between the spin-off and the original storyline.

The film released in India on Friday, 13 June.