Netflix Has Its Own 'Ballerina' — And Here’s Why It’s Better Than the Film From the 'John Wick' Universe

In John Wick 3, we’re given a glimpse into the hero’s backstory, which leads him to a theatre where rigorous ballet training is intertwined with tactical combat techniques. The ballerina dances herself to the point of collapse under the Director’s command. Director Chad Stahelski draws a clear parallel between the brutality of fighting and the extremes of ballet training, mirroring the film’s many martial arts influences.

Len Wiseman’s recent film Ballerina builds on these ideas. Yet the image of fragile dancers thrown into action thrillers became a trend even before these films. In fact, Netflix has its own Korean action film that explored the ballerina theme back in 2023, but from a very different angle.

The Plot of Ballerina

This story follows Choi Ok-Ju, a former bodyguard whose world is turned upside down after a grim discovery. Visiting her best friend Min-Hee, she finds her dead, alongside a final message begging for revenge.

It turns out the ballerina fell victim to the cruel sex trafficker Choi Pro, who not only abused her but filmed the torture to use as blackmail. Now, Ok-Ju must transform from protector to avenger.

Unlike John Wick or Eva, Ok-Ju isn’t dragged unwillingly into the criminal world. She consciously chooses vengeance.

What Makes Ballerina Stand Out

Ana de Armas’s Ballerina (set in the John Wick universe) has been criticised for lacking depth: it merely skims the surface of the franchise’s world without truly expanding it, and fails to make Eva as compelling as John. The film also doesn’t give ballet any real weight in the plot, falling short of the original films with Keanu Reeves.

But Lee Chung-hyun’s Ballerina blends the delicate image of a ballerina with the sheer cruelty men inflict on women. It’s not just a revenge action flick — it’s a story of female solidarity, trauma, and the fierce need to fight back even when the machinery of violence seems unstoppable. In that, it’s far more powerful than Hollywood’s attempts to recreate John Wick’s success.