If I had to change the ending of any movie, I’d go with the last one I watched, Ballerina, released on June 5, 2025. Set in the John Wick universe, this much-anticipated spin-off follows Ana de Armas as Eve, an orphan raised and trained as an assassin by the Ruska Roma. The film establishes her quest for revenge early on, echoing the signature John Wick style with high-octane gunfights, fast-paced choreography, and an absurd arsenal of weapons.
But the ending didn’t quite land for me.
As the story unfolds, Eve finds herself face to face with John Wick, who suddenly has a change of heart and chooses to help her rather than eliminate her. While this twist adds a dramatic beat, it feels slightly off-brand for Wick, a character usually committed to completing the mission at all costs. His abrupt empathy lacked buildup and felt like a narrative convenience rather than a natural evolution.
There is some poetic justice in the finale. Eve saves young Ella and reunites her with her father, but the idea of placing a bounty on Eve’s head felt recycled. It echoed familiar beats from the John Wick series and missed an opportunity to carve a distinct path for Eve’s character. I would have preferred an ending where she is formally disbanded from the Ruska Roma, mirroring Wick’s exile, and begins her own rogue journey on her terms.
As an origin story, Ballerina tries to pack in too much. The cult led by the Chancellor in Hallstatt, the revelation that Lena, his right hand, is Eve’s sister, and the eerie assassin-filled village are all compelling elements. But they’re rushed through with little breathing room. These threads deserved more development, more mystery, and deeper emotional stakes.
If it were up to me, I’d shift the focus. I’d explore Eve’s relationship with Lena and the Chancellor in a potential sequel. Imagine if the Chancellor, acting as a puppet master, was the one who placed the bounty and manipulated Lena into hunting her own sister. That would have created real psychological tension and a more cohesive narrative arc. Also, Eve’s sudden escalation from a singular mission to taking on an entire village of trained assassins felt unearned. She hasn’t been shown to be at that level yet, and without proper build-up, it weakens audience connection. Her character progression needed time to breathe.
In short, Ballerina had all the ingredients for a layered, gripping origin story, but its rushed pacing and underdeveloped emotional arcs dulled its impact. A more nuanced ending could have honored the John Wick legacy while giving Eve a truly original and unforgettable introduction.
