Premiere - Ballerina – Berlin Premiere Brings Fierce Elegance and Lethal Grace to the John Wick Universe

By Mulder, Berlin, Iconic Zoo Palast Theater, 26 may 2025

On May 26, 2025, the iconic Zoo Palast in Berlin became the pulsating heart of the John Wick universe, as fans, press, and a select group of international guests gathered for the long-awaited premiere of Ballerina. This wasn’t just another red carpet event—it was a carefully orchestrated prelude to a bold new chapter in a franchise that has redefined modern action cinema. Only two stars illuminated the evening in person, but their presence was more than enough: director Len Wiseman, the visionary behind the camera, and leading actress Ana de Armas, who has become the face of a new legend in the making. Dressed in a sleek, plunging black gown that balanced elegance with power, de Armas was every inch the embodiment of Eve Macarro—the ballerina-assassin who now pirouettes into cinematic lore.

The atmosphere outside the Zoo Palast was electric, thick with expectation, as whispers of what this spin-off might reveal had already been swirling for months. Ballerina doesn't simply tack itself onto the John Wick universe like an afterthought—it dives straight into its mythos with purpose, positioning itself between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4. Fans familiar with the cryptic Ruska Roma scenes in Wick’s third installment knew there was more to that world, and screenwriter Shay Hatten, who originally pitched the story as a spec script after being intrigued by the trailer for Chapter 2, has turned that fleeting curiosity into a fully fleshed-out origin tale. That initial spark—once just a silhouette of a ballerina with a haunted gaze—has evolved into a film that could very well redefine the emotional tone of the entire franchise.

Len Wiseman, best known for his stylish and kinetic direction on Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, brings a sleek brutality to the proceedings that meshes surprisingly well with the Wick aesthetic. Yet what’s most compelling is that this film didn’t emerge untouched—it was refined. While Wiseman’s principal photography was completed in Prague, Chad Stahelski—the mastermind of the original John Wick trilogy—stepped in for extensive reshoots over a two-to-three-month period. Far from a sign of studio panic, these additional sessions were collaborative fine-tuning, ensuring that the combat choreography and emotional rhythm hit the same balletic highs as the rest of the franchise. It’s worth noting that despite the absence of the wider cast in Berlin, the dedication shown behind the scenes—actors rerouting travel schedules, months of post-production enhancement—speaks volumes about the ambition behind Ballerina.

At the heart of it all is Ana de Armas. Her performance in No Time to Die already proved she could steal a scene with a mere glance and a well-aimed bullet. But here, she shoulders the entire narrative. As Eve Macarro, she channels grief and vengeance through a quieter, more internalized lens than John Wick. The death of her father, shrouded in Ruska Roma secrets and betrayal, becomes the emotional axis around which her journey spins. Early reactions to the film during post-screening conversations in Berlin point to a performance that doesn’t mimic Keanu Reeves’ stoicism but reinterprets it—softer, but no less lethal. Audiences in Berlin described her portrayal as tragic poetry in motion, and one guest remarked it felt like watching pain learn how to dance.

Although the Berlin premiere lacked appearances from the film’s other high-profile stars—including Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick, who appears posthumously in his final role—the spirit of the ensemble is still deeply embedded in the film. Keanu Reeves also appears, reportedly in a limited but potent cameo. The film’s connective tissue to the broader Wick world remains strong, but its heartbeat is undeniably Eve’s. And at the premiere, that shift was palpable—from the curated playlists echoing Ballerina's haunting new theme, to the solemn nods to Reddick’s last bow as Charon.

A standout moment from the night came when “Hand That Feeds”, the film’s lead single by Halsey and Amy Lee, was played prior to the screening. Its aggressive, haunting vocals seemed to echo through the very walls of the venue. Scored by longtime Wick composers Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, the soundtrack for Ballerina feels like a funeral march wrapped in velvet—driving the film forward with rhythm, melancholy, and explosive release. As the music faded into the opening frames, the audience leaned in—ready not just for action, but for emotional impact.

Visually, the film is breathtaking. Romain Lacourbas’ cinematography crafts a dreamlike contrast of candlelit ruins and neon-lit battlegrounds, while Jason Ballantine’s editing slices between calm and chaos with poetic timing. It’s a film obsessed with control—of breath, body, and bullet—and this was not lost on Berlin’s cinephiles. Several German journalists present commented on how the film's pacing and style reminded them more of European arthouse thrillers than traditional American action flicks. For a franchise rooted in headshots and handshakes, this pivot toward introspection is bold—and refreshing.

The most telling moment came after the screening when Ana de Armas and Len Wiseman returned to the stage for a brief Q&A. De Armas was visibly moved by the reception, describing Ballerina as “the most physically demanding and emotionally personal” role she’s ever taken on. Wiseman, meanwhile, reflected on how the film was “about transformation—not just of a woman becoming an assassin, but of how we tell stories within this universe.” The audience, a mix of die-hard Wick fans and action film aficionados, responded with a standing ovation.

As Ballerina prepares to launch in France on June 4 and in the U.S. on June 6, the Berlin premiere has set the tone: this is not just a spin-off, it’s a resurrection. A reclamation of grief as power, of art as weapon. Lionsgate’s confidence in the film—already greenlighting a sequel with producer Erica Lee—shows that Eve Macarro is being positioned not just as a side story, but as the future face of the Wickverse. And judging by the powerful presence Ana de Armas brought to Berlin, she’s more than ready to wear that crown. With elegance, fire, and a touch of sorrow, Ballerina steps into the spotlight—and Berlin, for one unforgettable night, danced with her.

You can discover the official photos in our Flickr page

Synopsis
Set during John Wick: Parabellum, Ballerina follows the relentless revenge of Eve Macarro, the new assassin of the Ruska Roma organization.

Ballerina
Directed by Len Wiseman
Written by Shay Hatten
Based on Characters by Derek Kolstad
Produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski
Starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
Cinematography : Romain Lacourbas
Edited by Jason Ballantine
Music by Tyler Bates, Joel J. Richard
Production companies : Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Films, 87North Productions
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date : June 4, 2025 (France), June 6, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 125 minutes