We know the world of John Wick is a violent one. It all starts with the death of a dog, and John Wick goes on a rampage to get revenge. Well, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is not one for the faint of heart.
If you thought that this would be a movie for kids because it's called Ballerina, you’ll be wrong.
Ballerina is arguably the most violent of the John Wick universe movies. The story is set between the third and fourth movies in the universe. It starts a spinoff of tales, and this is only set to grow the world further!
We get to meet Eve Macaroo (Ana de Armas), a ballerina who is also an assassin, and she trains in the traditions of the Ruska Roma. After her father is killed, she heads out on a mission of revenge, but will she find herself in the deeper rabbit hole that is the world of assassins?
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina age rating: Explaining the R rating
Like the previous movies in the universe, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is officially rated R. That means it’s not aimed at children, with it mostly being aimed toward those 18 and over. However, I would say that older teens who have loved the Keanu Reeves movies could be okay with it. The violence is up a notch, but it still has some great storytelling, and I think most teens are used to the violence of assassins at this point.
Sex & nudity: There is none in the movie at all.
Violence & gore: This is where the movie earns its R rating, and I do think that this is more violent than previous John Wick movies or even the prequel series. There are multiple hand-to-hand combat scenes, with a lot of visceral broken bones — you can hear the crunch clearly — and some eye gouging.
Yes, there’s also the use of guns, but most of the focus is on the use of knives and various items that are simply around to use as a weapon. There is a scene that involves a grenade, which is duct-taped to a man’s mouth. Yes, the grenade goes off, and yes, it is one of the most bloody and explosive moments of the entire movie. It’s going to stand out in your mind.
Language: The F-bomb and the term “M**********r” are uttered a few times throughout Ballerina. However, the S-word, the various B-words, and P-words are the most common, which is very much like the rest of the universe.
Alcohol & drugs: There are a few people drinking now and then, but there’s mild use of both drinking and drug use throughout Ballerina. The focus is on revenge and violence.
Overall verdict: Who is Ballerina appropriate for?
If your older teens have already watched the John Wick movies, then they’re likely ready for what is in store in Ballerina. The violence is up a notch, but not something that would make me uncomfortable.
However, if they’ve not seen any of the previous movies, then you’ll want to put them on first. This one isn’t appropriate for younger kids, and it’s not suitable for those who don’t like a lot of gore.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is now out in theaters.