Ballerina (2025) expands the universe of John Wick while carving out its own path as a standalone story of vengeance, survival, and deadly grace. The film follows Rooney, a young assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma ballet academy, introduced briefly in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. When her family is slaughtered by enemies connected to the High Table, Rooney is propelled onto a relentless mission of revenge, one that blurs the line between her disciplined training as a ballerina and her ruthless skills as a killer.

The story begins in the shadowy halls of the academy, where Rooney, once a gifted dancer, was molded into a weapon. After returning from an assignment, she discovers that her loved ones have been murdered in a brutal attack meant as a warning to those who dare defy the High Table. Refusing to be cowed, she takes up arms and sets out to track down those responsible, unraveling a conspiracy that extends deeper than she ever imagined. Her journey becomes both external and internal, as she struggles with grief, rage, and the cost of living a life defined by bloodshed.

Rooney’s path brings her into contact with both allies and enemies. Along the way, she crosses paths with legendary assassins, including a brief but pivotal appearance by John Wick himself, whose presence reminds her of the balance between survival and sacrifice. She also finds a mentor figure in an older assassin who once escaped the High Table’s grip, teaching her that vengeance alone cannot sustain her. Yet Rooney’s resolve remains unshaken—her enemies must pay, even if it means she loses herself in the process.

The film’s action sequences are intricately choreographed, blending the elegance of ballet with the brutality of close-quarters combat. Rooney uses her agility, precision, and artistry as weapons, turning every fight into a deadly dance. From candlelit theaters to snow-covered forests and neon-soaked city streets, the set pieces carry a stylized beauty that reflects both her assassin’s craft and her dancer’s soul. Each confrontation is not just a battle, but a performance that mirrors her inner turmoil.

As Rooney delves deeper into the world of the High Table, she uncovers a plot that reaches the highest levels of power. Her enemies are not just faceless killers but architects of a system that thrives on control and fear. This discovery raises the stakes, forcing her to confront not only those who wronged her directly but also the larger, seemingly unstoppable machine behind them.

The climax is a visceral showdown that combines raw emotion with explosive action. Rooney faces the mastermind behind her family’s death in a confrontation that tests the limits of her endurance and resolve. Though battered and scarred, she emerges victorious, not only avenging her loved ones but also carving out her own identity as more than just a weapon of the Ruska Roma.

Ballerina (2025) delivers a story that is both intimate and expansive, enriching the John Wick universe while standing firmly on its own. It is a tale of grief and resilience, of artistry and violence, and of a woman who transforms her pain into strength, proving that even in a world of shadows, beauty and vengeance can coexist.