Why the John Wick Spinoff Ballerina Deserves a Second Look on Streaming
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Polygon highlights why the underrated John Wick spinoff film Ballerina deserves a fresh chance from audiences now that it is streaming on HBO Max.
When the original John Wick hit theaters in 2014, it quietly kicked off one of the defining action franchises of the century. Over the last twelve years, that universe has expanded far beyond the silver screen, branching into comics, indie titles, and upcoming AAA video games that keep digital economies and cross platform fandoms buzzing. Yet despite this massive transmedia footprint, the 2025 spinoff film Ballerina arrived to a surprisingly muted box office and mixed critical reception. Now that it has officially landed on HBO Max, as reported by Polygon, it is time for the community to give this overlooked action piece the audience it has always deserved.
Directed through a turbulent production history and starring Ana de Armas as the vengeful assassin Eve Macarro, the film adapts a spec script that Lionsgate cleverly retrofitted into the Wick lore. Macarro is taken in by The Director, originating from John Wick 3, and trained to combine elite ballet discipline with brutal combat. Unlike the unflinching veteran status of Keanu Reeves, Macarro fights with a desperate, improvisational edge. Watching her utilize everything from ice skates to hand grenades to survive her early encounters grounds the narrative in a compelling, high stakes struggle for survival.
While the film stumbles slightly in its third act by shoehorning in a mandatory cameo and showdown with John Wick himself, which undercuts Macarro's hard earned agency, the sheer kinetic energy of the set pieces carries the runtime. For players and action fans who treat streaming services as a primary entertainment hub, this is a weekend watch that delivers relentless choreography. Check out the full breakdown and context over at Polygon.
Tags: Movies, Streaming, Action, John Wick, HBO Max
Original article: Polygon