Ballerinais the latest chapter in theJohn Wickfranchise. It starsAna de Armasas Eve Macarro, a ballerina assassin trained in the Ruska Roma tradition. Since the movie takes place between the events ofJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – ParabellumandJohn Wick Chapter 4, it would certainly make sense to revisit the entireJohn Wickfranchise before watchingBallerina. However, there are several other movies that would make sense to enjoy if you loved the latest chapter in the beloved franchise.
Some movies, likeMaria Full of Grace, feature stars that appear inBallerina. These movies offer a glimpse at these actors' earlier works, and make it easier to appreciate the characters they create inBallerina. Other movies, likeBlack Widow, are movies that highlight highly trained assassins who are constantly underestimated because they are women.The best movies likeBallerinacombine action and thrills with stories about compelling characters who are relatable even at their most flawed.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
A young female assassin seeks revenge against the people who killed her family.
10’Black Swan' (2010)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Black Swanis a psychological thriller starringNatalie PortmanasNina Sayers, a professional dancer who struggles with her mental health. The story follows Nina as she does her best to fully embrace the softness and innocence of the White Swan in Swan Lake, while also trying to embody the more sensual and darker parts of the Black Swan.Black Swanfollows Nina’s unraveling mental healthas she becomes paranoid that her rival is trying to steal her role from her.
For those who love the fact thatBallerinais an action movie set against the backdrop of professional ballet,Black Swanuses dance to create a unique kind of horror movie.Both movies explore the fact that professional dancers have an innate drive for perfection that extends beyond their career. WhileBallerinais a revenge story andBlack Swanis a deeply intimate character study of a woman losing grip on reality, both present characters whose drive for excellence leaps off the screen.
Black Swan
Nina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina’s grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.
9’Knock Knock' (2015)
Directed by Eli Roth
Knock Knockis a psychological thriller that introduces Evan Webber (Keanu Reeves), a father who is home alone for a weekend when his family leaves on vacation. Two women, Genesis (Lorenza Izzo) and Bel (Ana de Armas), knock on his door during a rainstorm and ask for help since they claim to be lost.Knock Knockis a story about the consequences of a seemingly innocent act of kindnessand the power of temptation.
Before watching de Armas and Reeves team up in the latest chapter of theJohn Wickfranchise, it would make sense to see these two share the screen inKnock Knock.Before seeing them together inBallerina, it’s important to watch how well they play off of one another in a story that explores dark themes. WhileKnock Knockis no romance, it highlights de Armas and Reeves' chemistry and how well they are able to lean into flawed and complex characters.
Knock Knock
A devoted husband and father helps two stranded young women who knock on his door, but his kind gesture turns into a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse.
8’Knives Out' (2019)
Directed by Rian Johnson
Knives Outintroduces Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), a private detective hired to investigate the death of famed author Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Blanc interrogates each member of the family as well as his nurse Marta (de Armas) and his housekeeper Fran (Edi Patterson).Although Thrombey’s death is initially ruled a suicide, Blanc suspects foul playand makes it his mission to delve deeper into the mystery, keeping everyone in the mansion a suspect.
AlthoughKnives Outis a murder mysteryat its core, it’s also a pointed commentary on class division in America. Ana de Armas creates a character who is able to represent these themes perfectly.For fans ofBallerinawanting another example of de Armas being able to carry a story as a leading figure,Knives Outfits the bill.Knives OutandBallerinashowcase de Armas' ability to create deeply sympathetic characters.
Knives Out
7’Maria Full of Grace' (2004)
Directed by Joshua Marston
Maria Full of Gracefollows Maria Álvarez(Catalina Sandino Moreno), a Colombian teenager working on a flower plantation. She works to support her family, but is left in a desperate position when she finds out she’s pregnant. When she leaves her job despite her family’s protests,she is approached by the cartel and starts working as a drug mule.Moreno was recognized for her performancein this movie by winning the Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival.
For those who appreciate Moreno’s performance inBallerinaas Lena, an assassin working for the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne),Maria Full of Graceis a look at her ability to carry a movie as its star.Maria Full of Gracecements the fact that Moreno has an undeniable star quality that can carry any movie.Moreno plays complex women in bothBallerinaandMaria Full of Grace. For those who saw Moreno’s supporting role inBallerinaand want more,Maria Full of Graceshowcases her full range as an artist.
Maria Full of Grace
6’No Time to Die' (2021)
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
No Time to Dieis the finalJames Bondmovie starringDaniel Craigas the iconic British spy. The movie followsBond as he is recruited for a special mission by the CIA after he has left MI6. Bond is tasked with rescuing a scientist from a new villain, Safin (Rami Malek), whose technology could kill millions of people. Ana de Armas joins Craig as Agent Paloma, a CIA agent who is critical to the high-stakes mission.
BothBallerinaandNo Time to Dieare action thrillersthat feature heroes who have to face incredible odds. WhileBallerinais a story that focuses more on revenge andNo Time to Dieis about a character at the end of his career, both feature surprisingly poignant reflections on what leaving a legacy means.Additionally, while de Armas headlinesBallerinaand is in a supporting role inNo Time to Die, both emphasize her talents as an action star.
No Time to Die
5’Total Recall' (1990)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Total Recallis a sci-fi drama that introduces Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker who has strange dreams about Mars. He visits Rekall, a company that implants false memories, and chooses a Mars-themed adventure in which he is a secret agent.Total Recallblurs the linebetween reality and fiction, as Quaid eventually believes that he is truly an agent on Mars seeking to save the planet from tyrannical forces.
For those who love the pure thrills and actionBallerinaprovides,Total Recallhas a similar feel. AlthoughBallerinais slightly more grounded in reality andTotal Recall’s story is more on the fantastical side, both stories feature action heroes who have to think and fight their way out of difficult situations.Both also feature sympathetic protagonists who are doing their best to fight for what they believe is right.
Total Recall
When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?
4’Atomic Blonde' (2017)
Directed by David Leitch
Atomic Blondeis a spy thriller that takes place in Berlin during the final days of the Cold War. The movie follows Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron),an MI6 agent who is sent to retrieve a list of double agents on the eve of the collapseof the Berlin Wall. She finds herself in the middle of an international conspiracy as she navigates a dark underworld of agents with shifting loyalties and those who want to carve out a space for themselves in a new world.
DirectorDavid LeitchbroughtAtomic Blondeand theJohn Wickuniverse to life.SinceBallerinais a continuation of the John Wick franchise, it makes sense that it would be visually comparable toAtomic Blonde. Both movies feature limited dialogue and action that essentially speaks for itself.Atomic BlondeandBallerinaare also similarin tone, as they feature two characters who have honed their physical skills to perfection, and who also need to rely on their intelligence to get them where they need to be.
Atomic Blonde
An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
3’Salt' (2010)
Directed by Phillip Noyce
Saltintroduces Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), a CIA operative accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. The story revolves around Salt’s quest to clear her name and prove her loyalty. As she is hunted by those who see her as a threat, she ends up reckoning with her past and the fact that she was trained in the Soviet Union. Salt will stop at nothing to clear her name and track down those who are the actual sleeper agents operating around the world.
LikeBallerina,Saltfeatures a complicated protagonistwho has to rely on her extensive training to save herself. Evelyn Salt and Eve Macarro are women who find themselves in compromising positions that they have to shoot, fight, or outsmart their way out of.Both of these characters have to rely on their instincts and training since there are few people they can trust. For those who appreciate the high stakes featured inBallerina,Saltfeatures a protagonist facing similar threats.
2’Black Widow' (2021)
Directed by Cate Shortland
Black Widowis the solo movieMarvel fans waited on for years. The movie serves as both an origin story for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and a final send-off for the character after the events ofAvengers: Endgame. At its core,Black Widowis a family drama as Romanoff reunites and fights with those whom she considered family for most of her life.Romanoff ultimately has to reckon with her past as a Russian spy.
BallerinaandBlack Widowfeature highly trained assassins with similar motivations and backstories.BallerinaandBlack Widowhighlight the high level of discipline required to be trained in the Russian style of ballet, and how this training can make assassins that much more deadly. Both movies also feature protagonists who have been through trauma and who use the fear and sadness that have come from this to pursue their own sense of justice.
Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.
1’Red Sparrow' (2018)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Red Sparrowis a spy thriller based on the novel of the same name byJason Matthews. The story follows Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence), a Russian ballerina whose career is abruptly ended by injury. She is recruited into a covert intelligence program that has been built in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse.Dominika is assigned to a CIA operative, in the hopes that she can turn him into a molewho will provide Russia with valuable intelligence.
For those who appreciateBallerina’s deep dive into the psychological skills required to succeed as an assassin,Red Sparrowexplores similar themes.Both are spy thrillers with female leads, which adds a different dynamic to the genre that is usually dominated by men.AlthoughRed Sparrowrelies more on graphic sex and violence, both movies have a similar gritty tone that is featured in every action sequence.
