Ballerina may have a lower critics score than the other John Wick movies, but its audience score has surpᴀssed practically every other film in the Keanu Reeves-led franchise. Reviews for Ballerina have been quite good, but its 75% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that it is the worst film in the franchise. To compare, the first movie has an 86%, the second and third films have an 89%, and 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4 has an impressive 94% (via Rotten Tomatoes). Clearly, the John Wick movies are basically universally beloved by critics.
Coming out just two years after John Wick: Chapter 4, which is not only the highest-rated film in the franchise, but also the highest-grossing, there were high expectations for Ballerina. Its critics score may be lower, but Ballerina’s audience score currently sits at 93%, which is higher than the first three John Wick movies and tied with the fourth film. Ballerina’s audience score was actually previously 94%, which is higher than every other movie in the franchise. Therefore, here are the five main reasons Ballerina’s audience score is so high and surpᴀsses multiple movies in the franchise:
5
It’s Great To Return To The John Wick Franchise Two Years After Chapter 4
The John Wick Franchise Isn’t Ending Anytime Soon
At the end of John Wick: Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves’ iconic character seemingly dies from a gunsH๏τ wound. Since a fifth John Wick movie is confirmed, it will likely be revealed that he is actually alive. However, for a short time, many people who watched the fourth film believed that the franchise may be over. Since John Wick is a franchise that is full of great characters and has included a lot of in-depth worldbuilding, it would be a shame for it to completely end.
There is nothing quite like watching a John Wick movie on the big screen, and up until the release of the fifth movie, Ballerina is the best fans are going to get.
Of course, fans previously returned to the franchise with the miniseries The Continental, but it was very underwhelming. Additionally, there is nothing quite like watching a John Wick movie on the big screen, and up until the release of the fifth movie, Ballerina is the best fans are going to get. Ballerina manages to capture the tone of the John Wick movies while following a brand-new character, which is a notable accomplishment. Overall, it’s hard not to enjoy Ballerina, and it’s definitely a welcome return for the franchise (on the big screen) after the release of John Wick: Chapter 4.
4
Ballerina Includes Several Amazing Action Sequences
Len Wiseman & Chad Stahelski SH๏τ Action Scenes For Ballerina
Over the years, the action sequences in the John Wick franchise have gotten more and more ambitious. The third and fourth films, in particular, are arguably two of the best action movies of all time. Therefore, Ballerina had the tough task of living up to the high expectations of fans of the franchise. Long before the release of the movie, there were actually concerns that Ballerina didn’t include enough action. Thankfully, reshoots for Ballerina were conducted, which added more action to the film.
As a result of these reshoots, Ballerina is basically full of non-stop action. Obviously, Ballerina director Len Wiseman sH๏τ a lot of the action scenes in the movie. However, Chad Stahelski, who helmed all four of the John Wick films, directed the reshoots. Since Stahelski returned to film additional scenes, audience members have not been underwhelmed at all by the action in Ballerina. In fact, the amazing action sequences are likely the main reason Ballerina has such a high audience score.
3
Ana De Armas Solidifies Herself As An Action Star In Ballerina
Eve Macarro Is A Great Character In Ballerina
Over the last several years, Ana de Armas has become one of the most popular actresses in the world. She especially stood out in the 2021 James Bond movie No Time to Die. Ever since the release of No Time to Die, fans have asked for de Armas to do more action. It’s unlikely that she will return in a James Bond spinoff, but she fits right into the John Wick franchise. Unlike in No Time to Die, de Armas plays the lead in Ballerina and once again steals the show.
Since people are used to watching Reeves in the John Wick franchise, de Armas had a tough task to get audiences to root for her character.
With Ballerina, de Armas proves that she is an action star that everyone should look out for. Since people are used to watching Reeves in the John Wick franchise, de Armas had a tough task to get audiences to root for her character. However, de Armas’ character, Eve Macarro, is very fun to watch as she embarks on her revenge mission in Ballerina. After watching de Armas in the spinoff film, I desperately hope a sequel to Ballerina is greenlit so she can get yet another chance to shine in the action genre.
2
It’s Great To See Keanu Reeves Back As John Wick In Ballerina
John Wick Is Arguably The Best Role Of Reeves’ Career
While de Armas leads the cast of Ballerina, Reeves also reprises his role as John Wick in the spinoff film. Stahelski was against the idea of including John Wick in Ballerina, and some fans and critics have even criticized his role in the film. It’s true that John Wick didn’t necessarily need to be included in the spinoff film, but it can’t be denied that it’s great to watch Reeves in the role once again and his inclusion definitely made fans more interested in Eve’s story.
Even though he is initially sent to the Cult’s town to kill Eve, John Wick decides to protect her at the end of Ballerina. Because of this decision, John Wick is forced to fight some members of the Cult himself. Every action scene in Ballerina which includes John Wick is amazing. In classic John Wick fashion, he easily kills several members of the Cult, successfully helping Eve complete her mission. Therefore, it’s hard to dislike Ballerina since Reeves is so entertaining to watch in the movie.
1
Ballerina Expands The World Of The John Wick Franchise
Ballerina Includes A Lot Of Worldbuilding
It’s true that Ballerina includes many things that were first introduced in the other John Wick movies. For example, Eve is a member of the Ruska Roma, which is the criminal organization that John Wick also comes from, and several Continental H๏τels are featured in the spinoff film. Additionally, supporting characters like Winston, Charon, and the Director also appear in Ballerina. However, instead of solely relying on all of these aspects, Ballerina also successfully expands the world of the John Wick franchise.
Most notably, Ballerina introduces the Cult, a dangerous group that doesn’t abide by the rules of the High Table. Eve’s fight against the Cult differentiates it from the previous movies in the John Wick franchise. Fans like the Cult so much that some are even theorizing the group will be the primary villains in John Wick 5. Therefore, it’s clear that Ballerina expands the world of the John Wick franchise in unique ways, and makes the world of ᴀssᴀssins even more interesting.
