Episode 173: "Ballerina" Review feat.Iroh

This week on The Popcorn Podcast, Tommy and Ryan step into the frenetic world of Ballerina, the high-octane spinoff from the John Wick universe. Seamlessly blending slick action and emotional stakes, Ballerina delivers a killer performance that keeps fans hooked, even if it occasionally leans on franchise familiarity.

🎬 Film Overview

Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a Ruska Roma dancer-assassin, as she seeks revenge for her father’s murder at the hands of a powerful assassin known as the Chancellor.  After training under Winston (Ian McShane) and the enigmatic Director (Anjelica Huston), Eve embarks on a merciless mission that explodes into non-stop carnage and fiery showdowns.

🔍 Episode Highlights

• Ana de Armas Steps Up:
  De Armas brings fierce physicality and layered emotion to Eve, performing most of her own stunts and truly anchoring the action 
• Action That Pops:
  From flamethrower duels to axe-fueled fights, the action sequences deliver signature Wick-style brutality with inventive choreography and bold camerawork 
• Tone & Humor:
  Ballerina infuses dry wit and playful nods—like slapstick TV references—offering a refreshing comedic edge amid the pulses of violence 
• Spinoff Strengths & Weaknesses:
  We debate whether the revenge plot feels recycled, how the supporting characters fare, and where the film stands in comparison to core Wick entries 

📊 Ratings & Reactions

• Rotten Tomatoes: 75% critics, 93% audience score
• Metacritic: Mid‑60s, with praise for action, but criticism toward plot depth 

📢 Connect with Us

• Tommy: @Tommy_Cresta
• Ryan: @Foran12
• The Show: @The_Popcorn_Podcast
• Editor (Colin Gallagher): @colingallagher.3