The John Wick universe expands with "Ballerina," an anticipated spinoff officially titled "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina," starring Ana de Armas. Early box office projections for the Lionsgate production, budgeted between $80M-$90M and produced by Thunder Road, indicate preview earnings around $3.5M-$4M from Wednesday fan screenings and Thursday showtimes. The studio hopes for an opening weekend exceeding $30M. This performance is being compared to female-led action films like Furiosa ($26.3M 3-day) and 2019’s Alita: Battle Angel ($28.5M 3-day), rather than directly to the main John Wick series, as such films typically attract a different audience demographic. The film is expected to rank second in its opening weekend behind Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. Despite a year-long delay for additional photography, early fan engagement appears strong.

Audience reception for "Ballerina" has been notably positive, with an impressive 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reactions. This score is higher than any John Wick Rotten Tomatoes popcorn score, including "John Wick: Chapter 4" (93%). However, critical reviews are more mixed. The film holds a 72% "certified fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, which, while positive, is notably lower than the critical acclaim garnered by the mainline John Wick movies, which consistently ranged from 86% to 94% "certified fresh."

Ana de Armas takes the lead as Eve, an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization, who sets out on a quest for revenge following her father's death. Many viewers and critics acknowledge her convincing presence as an action star, a potential seen in her memorable, albeit brief, action sequences in "No Time to Die." However, her performance in "Ballerina" has drawn inevitable comparisons to Keanu Reeves' John Wick. Some reviewers found the fight choreography too similar to Wick's established style, even with narrative points about her character being trained to "fight like a girl." Criticisms have been leveled at the repetitive nature of the fight scenes, which some felt dragged on, a point also made about later John Wick films. The depiction of Eve enduring excessive brutalization without a fully convincing portrayal of her resilience was another concern. Some critics expressed a desire for more creative and distinct fight choreography that could have showcased a unique style for Eve, perhaps emphasizing agility and avoiding contact over enduring heavy blows. One review noted an unexpected element of slapstick silliness in the action, likening its approach to "The Three Stooges" in contrast to the main films' "Buster Keaton" style, which provided some unintended humor.

Directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten (with Derek Kolstad also credited as a writer), "Ballerina" is primarily set in the John Wick timeline between the events of "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" and "John Wick: Chapter 4." The film carries an R rating for language and strong violence throughout. The narrative has been described by some critics as a formulaic revenge thriller that adheres closely to established tropes without introducing significant novelty to the universe, feeling like a calculated effort to extend the franchise. A significant point of discussion and criticism revolves around the inclusion and role of Keanu Reeves as John Wick, particularly his appearance in the film's climax. Early in the film, Eve witnesses Wick, freshly excommunicado, receiving safe passage from the Director of the Ruska Roma, a decision that has severe consequences for the Director. Later, when Eve's actions provoke a threat of war from another organization, the Director inexplicably sends Wick to eliminate Eve. This narrative choice has been questioned for its logic, given Wick's excommunicado status, the Ruska Roma's diminished hold over him, and the severe risk of further retribution from the High Table for all involved. This perceived plot contortion was found distracting by some, raising further questions about internal plot coherence.

Some reviewers felt that the script didn't fully leverage Ana de Armas's talents, effectively casting her in "John Wick cosplay" instead of developing a unique character and story tailored to her strengths. The lack of nuanced character development and deep emotional scenes, particularly when compared to the poignant moments in the original "John Wick" film, was highlighted as a missed opportunity, attributed by critics to shortcomings in the writing and direction. "Ballerina" does feature familiar faces from the Wick universe, including Winston, Charon, and Anjelica Huston as 'the Director,' aiming to flesh out the wider world.

Despite the criticisms regarding plot and character development, there is an appreciation for the conceptual coolness of an expanded assassin world and a general desire among viewers to see Ana de Armas's character, Eve, continue her journey. Some critics suggested alternative narrative paths for the climax that might have been more emotionally resonant and character-focused for Eve, such as involving her Ruska Roma mentor, Nogi, instead of Wick. The hope expressed by many is that if Eve's story continues, future installments will grant Ana de Armas the agency to lead her own narrative arc, relying less on bending established continuity to include major characters from the parent franchise. The film's overall box office performance and sustained audience engagement for its USA release on June 6, 2025, will likely be key factors in Lionsgate's decisions regarding the future of Eve and this branch of the John Wick universe.