Latest news with #HighTable
News18
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Ballerina X Reviews: Action-Packed John Wick Spin-Off Gets A Thumbs Up
Last Updated: Directed by Len Wiseman, the movie recently had its premiere, and the early reviews have been positive. After four exciting John Wick movies with Keanu Reeves, the creators decided to expand the story with a new show called The Continental. Now, two years later, a new spin-off titled Ballerina is ready to hit theatres. Ballerina, the first spinoff film in the franchise, takes place between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. Directed by Len Wiseman, the movie recently had its premiere, and the early reviews on X (Formerly Twitter) have been very positive. Even Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning star and de Armas's rumoured partner, Tom Cruise, praised the film. The story takes place after the third film, where Wick was last seen falling from the Continental's rooftop. In the fourth movie, he met the High Table and was believed to have died. While Reeves's character plays a cameo in Ballerina, the main focus will be on Eve Macarro, played by de Armas. She's a skilled fighter who goes on a journey to take revenge for her father's death. To prepare, she trains with the deadly Ruska Roma group. While promoting the final Mission Impossible movie last month, Tom Crusie, who saw the movie earlier, said, 'I saw the movie, it just kicks ass, it's right in that tone, it's right in that Wick world, you're gonna love it." Following the recent premiere of Ballerina, a user wrote, 'This movie is hot. Ballerina delivers the year's best action; one sequence in particular is a fist-pumping inferno. Ana de Armas fits seamlessly into this world as Eve and gives us a spin-off done right. I'm going to need more Ballerina. 'Fight like a girl'." This movie is hot! #BallerinaMovie delivers the year's best action; one sequence in particular is a fist-pumping inferno. Ana de Armas fits seamlessly into this world as Eve and gives us a spin-off done right. I'm going to need more #Ballerina. 'Fight like a girl." — Phil Walsh (@PhilWMovies) June 5, 2025 Another called Ballerina 'an excellent expansion of the John Wick franchise. Ana de Armas kicks so much ass and in such creative ways. The action is brutal and thrilling. I'm ready for more of Ana de Armas' Eve. Give her a trilogy. And of course, Keanu Reeves kills it as John Wick." #BallerinaMovie is an excellent expansion of the JOHN WICK franchise. Ana de Armas kicks so much ass, and in such creative ways. The action is brutal and thrilling. I'm ready for more of Ana de Armas' Eve. Give her a trilogy!And of course, Keanu Reeves kills it as John Wick. — Ryan Cortero (@ryan_reflects) June 5, 2025 'From flamethrowers to flying kitchen plates, Ballerina hits hard with the kind of stylish mayhem you'd expect from the world of John Wick. Ana de Armas doesn't just dance, she kills it," a comment read. From flamethrowers to flying kitchen plates, Ballerina hits hard with the kind of stylish mayhem you'd expect from the world of John Wick. Ana de Armas doesn't just dance, she kills it. #BallerinaMovie #JohnWick @ballerinamovie — Big Gold Belt Media (@BigGoldBelt) June 3, 2025 An individual stated, 'Any movie with the Baba Yaga is a good one. Thank god the director of the John Wick films was brought in for significant reshoots. Had the insane action and choreography you'd expect. Ana was a badass to watch on screen. I definitely recommend." Just saw #BallerinaMovie Any movie with the Baba Yaga is a good one. Thank god the director of the John Wick films was brought in for significant reshoots. Had the insane action and choreography you'd expect. Ana was a badass to watch on screen. I definitely recommend — Elocin ✨ (@Elocin_712) June 5, 2025 One more added, 'Ballerina doesn't just earn its place in the John Wick universe, it explodes onto the scene like a perfectly timed grenade, expanding Wick's world beautifully. Ana de Armas mows down nameless faces with jaw-dropping gun-fu and grenade-fueled chaos that'll leave your pulse racing. A few story-related elements fall short, but John Wick's cameo never overshadows our central heroine, whose classic revenge quest carries the right amount of intensity. This is the spin-off we didn't know we needed, and I'd love to see more." #Ballerina doesn't just earn its place in the John Wick universe… it explodes onto the scene like a perfectly timed grenade, expanding Wick's world beautifully. Ana de Armas mows down nameless faces with jaw-dropping gun-fu and grenade-fueled chaos that'll leave your pulse… — Austin Burke (@theBurk3nator) June 6, 2025 Keanu Reeves isn't the only familiar face returning in Ballerina. Fans will also see Anjelica Huston as the Director, Ian McShane as Winston Scott and the late Lance Reddick as Charon. Norman Reedus joins as Daniel Pine, and Gabriel Byrne plays the main villain, the Chancellor, who uses an entire town to try and stop Eve. The movie is scheduled to release on June 13. First Published:
Time Magazine
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
A Spoiler-Filled Breakdown of Ballerina 's Connection to John Wick
Warning: Spoilers ahead for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Before you see From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, in theaters now, it's worth catching up with the Keanu Reeves -led John Wick franchise. But for those who don't have time to watch the nearly nine hours of the action series, which begins with the titular hitman going on a killing spree over the murder of his beloved dog, don't worry. We're here to help you understand Ballerina 's connection to the John Wick universe. Ballerina, the fifth film in the John Wick series, is a thrilling spin-off starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballet dancer-turned-assassin who, like John Wick, is a student of the crime organization known as Ruska Roma. (More on them later.) After learning of her family's secret connection to a cult-like army of killers, Eve embarks on a mission to get back at the Chancellor, the group's megalomaniacal leader, played by John Wick newbie Gabriel Byrne, who is responsible for killing her father when she was just a kid. The Ballerina trailer revealed that the Baba Yaga himself, John Wick, plays a role in Eve's quest for retribution. But is he a friend or a foe? For those who don't care about spoilers, here's a breakdown of how John Wick fits into the Ballerina story. When does Ballerina take place? Much of Ballerina takes place at the same time as the 2019 film John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. That film begins with John Wick being deemed 'excommunicado' by the High Table, a formidable 12-person council that governs the most powerful underground crime organizations, for killing one of their members at the New York Continental, a luxury hotel that acts as neutral ground for hitmen and women. A very big no-no in this world where breaking the rules comes with very steep consequences. With a major bounty on his head, John Wick finds himself fighting for his life with whatever weapons he can get his hands on: a knife, a gun, some horses, and, most notably, a New York Public Library book. It is him against the world and he knows he's running out of time. (Tick-tock Mr. Wick, tick-tock.) In order to survive, he'll need to act quick. So he returns to where it all began: the Tarkovsky Theater, the Ruska Roma's secret NYC headquarters, in hopes that the Director (Anjelica Huston, who reprises her role in Ballerina) will grant him one last favor. Who are the Ruska Roma? In John Wick, the Ruska Roma are one of the criminal organizations that have a seat at the High Table. The operation, made up of Belarusian contract killers, runs a ballet academy that is a front for their assassin training facility. The Director, the head of the Ruska Roma, took John Wick in when he was a young orphan and trained him to be a fighter that is light on his feet. She quickly became a mentor and a surrogate mother to the boy then known as Jardani Jovonovich. While John Wick would become one of the most feared assassins the High Table's ever seen, he was also a gun-for-hire for a different crime family, the Tarasov Mob. But he is still a member of the Ruska Roma; his tattoo of the Cross of Lorraine, the Ruska Roma's emblem which is used by the Russian Orthodox Church, proves that. He hopes that his past service is enough to convince her to officially release him from duty. Even if that means she'll face the ire of the High Table. The Director reluctantly frees him, but not without letting him know that by forsaking his connection to the Ruska Roma, he can no longer come to them for help. He will have to go it alone. Though as anyone who's seen John Wick: Chapter 4 already knows, even in this hyper-violent world, you can always come home. What is Eve's connection to John Wick? Ballerina visits the same moment from Parabellum in which John Wick comes to the Director looking for help from, this time through a different lens. Like John Wick, Eve was adopted by the Ruska Roma after the death of her father. In Ballerina, we learn that it was actually John Wick favorite, New York Continental manager Winston Scott (Ian McShane), who helped spearhead her adoption by the organization. This seems to confirm that Winston's cross tattoo, which pops up in John Wick: Chapter 4, was a sign of his deeper affiliation to the group. Though, it probably puts to rest the rumor that he was John Wick's biological father. (Eve has a few meaningful tattoos as well, which are on full display throughout Ballerina.) Eve is no prima ballerina so she's made it her mission to become a consummate killer. Specifically, one that is as prolific as John Wick. When the two meet at the theater, Eve is still a trainee trying to break into the contract killer business. She's looking for pointers from the best to ever do it, but at that point, John Wick is more than done with the assassin's life. Only months earlier, he was living the retired life and would have continued doing so if that group of Russian gangsters didn't kill the puppy his late wife gave him. When Eve asks him how she can become an expert killer, his advice is simple: 'Don't.' He tells her to walk out the door of the theater and leave the assassin's life behind. He suggests she forge a new path for herself before it's too late. It's good advice, but not even John Wick takes it since Parabellum was far from the end of his hero's journey. (And apparently, John Wick: Chapter 4 won't mark the official end of the character either.) But Eve's Rashomon moment sets her up for her own Wickian adventure, complete with a fierce wardrobe of expertly tailored tactical suits. Eve must learn the hard way that her decisions have consequences, deadly ones. How does Ballerina end? With a visit from Mr. Wick, of course. In the final act of Ballerina, Eve goes looking for the man who killed her father: the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), the leader of a cult-like community of assassins. But this isn't just business, this is personal for Eve. The Chancellor, we learn, is her maternal grandfather. Eve's father was trying to take her away from the life she was born into, and the Chancellor killed him. Unlike John Wick, the Chancellor believes there are no choices, only fate. He believes that Eve is meant to follow in her family's bloody footsteps and he'll do anything to bring her back into the fold—even kill her. For decades, the Chancellor and his followers have lived in the remote Austrian mountain village of Hallstatt. Eve goes there looking to end the Chancellor's life, but to do so, she must take on the entire town of trained killers by herself, using everything from ice skates to katana swords to flamethrowers to beat them. Eve's unsanctioned act of vengeance does not go over well with the Director, who chooses to help the Chancellor in order to protect herself and the Ruska Roma. In Parabellum, the Director makes it clear that she is not that interested in the one, but the whole. So whether it's John Wick or Eve, she's willing to give them up in order to keep the Ruska Roma alive. But to take down Eve, she'll need to call in the big guns: the recently excommunicated John Wick. The finale of Ballerina takes place after the events of Parabellum, but prior to the start of Chapter 4. In the final moments of Parabellum, Winston shoots John Wick in order to save himself and the Continental. John Wick somehow survives not only the bullet, but a fall off a skyscraper. He is still on the run from the High Table and every one else who is interested in his nearly $20 million bounty. While there is a question as to why John Wick would bother helping the Ruska Roma at this point in his story, the rules of the High Table are clear: if you're given a name, you must take care of them. So John Wick arrives in Hallstatt on a side quest to kill Eve, only to discover that they've met before. Less than a year after their clandestine chat, neither has managed to get out of the assassin business. The two face off because they have no other choice, but John Wick decides to let her live, though not without a warning about the rules and consequences in this life they've chosen. He gives her until the stroke of midnight to kill the Chancellor and get out of town. After all, how could John Wick really keep someone from avenging a loved one? But John Wick doesn't just give her more time. He chooses to help Eve with her mission. He becomes her guardian angel. With a sniper rifle, he fends off a flame thrower-wielding assassin who has Eve cornered before taking down a team of trained killers on his own. Only then is she able to get to the Chancellor before time runs out. Like John Wick, Eve couldn't do this alone. She needed a helping hand and a little luck to complete her ultimate task. And as he's done so many times before, John Wick makes the choice that he knows he could stand behind. As delicious as it is to watch Eve take down her maniacal grandpa and his Bavarian town of psycho killers in an adrenaline pumping, hilarious scene, there is something even sweeter in watching John Wick tell the Director, 'It's done,' only to let her know that he didn't complete his mission, but Eve sure did. It's another friendly reminder that this is John Wick's world and we're all just living in it.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Ballerina movie review: Ana de Armas revives John Wick franchise, 4/5 stars
From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina (M18) 125 minutes, opens on June 5 ★★★★☆ The story: In the John Wick world of shadowy syndicates and the assassins who work for them, young Eve's father (David Castaneda) is murdered by an unknown clan. Winston (Ian McShane), manager of the haven for hired killers, the Continental Hotel, takes the girl under his wing. He sends her to Ruska Roma, an organisation that runs a ballet school training students to be graceful as they are deadly. Under the eye of the Director (Anjelica Huston), Eve (played by Ana de Armas as an adult) counts down the days till she can exact vengeance on the men who slayed her dad. The first spin-off from the Keanu Reeves-headlined John Wick franchise (2014 to 2023) possesses all the signature elements – the gun-fu, intense violence and weapons porn. It also has something that was lacking in the series' recent films: a story with a beginning, middle and end. At the centre of this origin story, set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), is Cuban-Spanish actress de Armas, who puts in a formidable performance as the seething agent of chaos. She is fiercely present, physically and emotionally. As a protagonist, Eve's compelling fury is much more relatable than Wick's ice-cold stoicism, which has been present since Reeves played the hired gun in the first film . The John Wick universe is inspired by – or some would say, a direct copy of – martial arts movies set in a feudal China or Japan pockmarked by feisty clans jostling for control. Ballerina would be the classic Hong Kong tale of an orphan raised in a Shaolin temple and trained to be invincible, so he or she might settle scores in a climactic showdown. There is a compelling simplicity to the orphaned avenger set-up that American director Len Wiseman (the Underworld film franchise, 2003 to 2016; Total Recall, 2012) exploits to the fullest. There is little of the overwrought lore that dragged down the last two John Wick movies – the stuff about the High Table and its elaborate rules of order is thankfully absent. The inclusion of Ruska Roma and the Continental Hotel is kept to a minimum and feels necessary to the story. To be fair, Wiseman has an easier job than four-time John Wick director Chad Stahelski, who has had to build a fantasy world over the past decade. By the fourth film, it was clear fatigue had set in, with the plot contrivances that move Wick from one fight to another becoming more strained and bloated. Ballerina does not squander its new story and protagonist on weak action. Its fights are stunningly choreographed, with one highlight being a battle set in Prague that features hand grenades as weapons. That segment offers maximum bang for the buck. This fresh start is a good move, one that bodes well for the future of the franchise as it heads into a fifth John Wick movie and a number of sequels and prequels – animated and live-action. Hot take: With new face de Armas, the John Wick franchise is revitalised with stunning action that feels fresh, not formulaic. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hype Malaysia
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Movie Tea: 'John Wick 5' Plot Revealed; 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Featurette & BTS Drops
We've all heard of the phrase 'The end of one chapter is the beginning of the next' – or at least some variation of that, and this certainly applies to movies. Here's everything you need to know about upcoming sequels for two major franchises. Grab your popcorn! Keanu Reeves Confirmed For 'John Wick 5,' But Will Move Away From High Table Following the shocking news that 'John Wick' is back for the fifth time, many were rightly confused, as we were well aware that the legendary hitman was put to rest in the previous installment. Fans, however, are still sincerely interested in delving deeper into the world of assassins. This is especially true now that there has been no announcement regarding the plot or the fact that Keanu Reeves was never officially confirmed to return to the title role until now. After weeks of silence, the director of the film, Chad Stahelski, is finally revealing what he has been cooking behind the scenes for this sudden but welcomed sequel. According to the director, the story is a continuation of the saga — everything included in the fourth movie, namely the character's hard-fought peaceful end. Of course, it is confirmed that Keanu will return for the role, which is incredibly weird. In an interview with EMPIRE, Stahelski elaborated on his vision; he acknowledged the character's death and how his story has been wrapped up with a neat little bow. But he went on to say that he wanted to make a movie that is separated from the High Table, without letting go of the key elements that made the franchise so popular. 'The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up. So the only way to do a 5 is to have a new story that involves John Wick,' said Stahelski. 'It's not a continuation with the High Table. John dealt with his grief. It will be really different, and everybody [will] see the trailer and go, 'Holy fuck… I gotta see that.'' Of course, to say that the plot and idea are weird is putting it mildly — we did see John die from his wounds in his quest for freedom. This inadvertently raises more questions than it answers, namely, how does he come back from the dead, and what will he do now? This move also raises some greater concerns for the franchise, as many are worried that this will ruin the gut-wrenching conclusion we witnessed in favour of more cash. Thus, many are hoping that this coming film will not only do the character justice but also all those who have worked on the previous entries as well. Stahelski did address this in his latest response, essentially stating that the death was more metaphorical rather than literal, symbolising more of a rebirth for Wick. What you make of that explanation is up to you. What we are sure isn't metaphorical is the continuation of the 'John Wick' franchise in terms of stories. Focusing more on fan-favourite characters and even new ones such as Donnie Yen's Caine (which is also in the works) and the soon-to-be-released 'From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina', respectively. Stahelski is out there reassuring skeptical fans, but we can only be certain that is the right path for the legendary assassin when we see Wick in action once again on the big screen. 'The Conjuring: The Last Rites' Sets The Franchise's Phase Two After 10 long and terrifying years, Ed and Lorraine Warren are finally closing their doors with the upcoming film 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'. And what better way to get us amped up for the 'darkest chapter' yet than with this newly posted featurette? However, don't be disheartened, horror fans. This movie isn't marking the end of the franchise as a whole; rather, it is simply letting go of the familiar faces that have stuck with us through all the scares in the last decade. If this was the Avengers saga, think of it as the end of Phase One. Of course, saying that each chapter is far worse than the last can only get you so far, a fact that director Michael Chaves is painfully aware of when discussing the film with Entertainment Weekly. As they were developing the storyline for the film, they even landed an 'Avengers: Endgame'-level reunion to cement the fact that this is the end of the line and that they have to go all out. However, thankfully, the filmmaker decided to pivot the story, attacking something far more personal as they delve into the infamous Smurl Haunting. For those who are not familiar with the case, the Smurl haunting is the term used to describe the allegations made by Jack and Janet Smurl of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the United States, that a demon lived in their home from 1974 to 1989; the notoriety of the case gained both the family and house nationwide media attention. It was alleged that the paranormal activities ranged from loud noises and foul stenches to pushing one of the Smurl daughters down the stairs to even physically and sexually assaulting members of the family. Being their last time together, Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) and Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) couldn't help but feel emotional about their final installment together, reflecting on how they've grown with the franchise over the previous decade and how it has been a gift to be a part of the film. Patrick himself can't believe that the franchise is over, saying that the franchise 'meant the world' to him. Starring alongside the dynamic duo will be Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Tilly Walker, Molly Cartwright, Peter Wight, and Kate Fahy. This franchise will be the 9th instalment in the franchise and is the penultimate chapter of the series' phase one, setting the stage up for phase two. Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Screen Rant, EMPIRE
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘John Wick 5' Is a New Story and ‘Not a Continuation With the High Table,' Says Director: ‘John Has Dealt With His Grief. It'll Be Really Different'
'John Wick 5' Is a New Story and 'Not a Continuation With the High Table,' Says Director: 'John Has Dealt With His Grief. It'll Be Really Different' The plot of 'John Wick 5' may not be exactly what fans expect. In a recent discussion with Empire, franchise director Chad Stahelski said the fifth 'John Wick' installment will be 'really different' since the High Table storyline from the first four films reached its natural conclusion. More from Variety ADVERTISEMENT 'The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up,' Stahelski said. 'So the only way to do a [fifth film] is to have a new story that involves John Wick. It's not a continuation with the High Table. John dealt with his grief. It will be really different, and everybody [will] see the trailer and go, 'Holy fuck… I gotta see that.'' Luckily for fans, there is plenty of John Wick content on the horizon to tide them over until the fifth film, including 'Ballerina' starring Ana de Armas, the 'Under The High Table' TV show and an animated prequel film about Wick's exit from being a full-time assassin. Stahelski added that the 'High Table' series and the animated project will play a big role in setting up the story for 'John Wick 5.' 'The John Wick TV show and the animation are big priorities,' Stahelski said. 'Our idea is to try some things and explore some threads and use those two properties to catapult us forward into the ideas for 'John 5.'' The next Wick-verse project to hit theaters will be 'Ballerina,' which debuts June 6. Set after the events of 'John Wick: Chapter 3,' the film follows de Armas as an 'assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization [who] sets out to seek revenge after her father's death,' according to the official logline. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
