The Most Underappreciated Movie in the John Wick Franchise Gets a New Streaming Home

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The John Wick movies are widely considered to be among the best action series ever created. Starting with the first film in 2014, starring Keanu Reeves as a retired assassin pulled back into a life of crime, the series has expanded to include three sequels, a comic book, and a TV show called The Continental. A spin-off movie released in 2025 is now moving to a new streaming platform.

Premiering in 2025, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is the fifth installment in the popular John Wick series. The film takes place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), and follows Eve MaCarro (Ana de Armas), a skilled ballerina and assassin, as she seeks revenge for her father’s death by battling a group of deadly killers. The cast also includes Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves, and Lance Reddick in his final film role. Critics generally praised the movie, and despite having a lower opening weekend than other John Wick films, it still did well in theaters. Now, Ballerina is available to stream on HBO Max starting March 27th.

Ballerina is the Most Underappreciated Film in the John Wick Universe

Spin-offs can be difficult to pull off, especially when they’re based on hugely popular franchises like John Wick. They often center on characters already established in the main series, either adding to their backstories or taking them in new directions. However, Ballerina takes a different approach, which actually makes it feel less like a spin-off and more like a standalone film. This could make it appealing to viewers who aren’t necessarily fans of the John Wick movies.

Although the film features returning characters like John Wick, Ana de Armas plays Eve, a completely new addition to the franchise. The story introduces Eve without any prior knowledge of her background, quickly revealing her dual life as both a ballerina and a highly skilled assassin. By giving Eve her own unique story and making her an active player in the criminal underworld, Ballerina provides a fresh perspective and a new way for audiences to experience this world. Her motivations are compelling, and she’s a surprisingly sympathetic character. Eve is drawn into the world of assassins due to a troubled past, and her actions throughout the film, driven by a desire for justice and revenge for her father, are deeply engaging. This creates a compelling character and story within a movie already packed with intense action, and the combination is incredibly effective.

Okay, so Ballerina isn’t necessarily the best John Wick movie, but I still think it’s a really good one and totally worth watching. And now that it’s hitting HBO Max, even more people will get to see it, which is awesome! Hopefully, that buzz will be enough to get a sequel greenlit – I’d love to see where they take the story!

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2026-03-15 19:13