Why John Wick’s Return in Ballerina Is a Plot Hole You Can’t Ignore

by

As a movie enthusiast, I typically don’t let minor plot inconsistencies ruin my cinematic experience. It’s delightful when a film unfolds like a perfectly crafted puzzle, but it’s not always necessary for a story to be as precise as a Swiss watch to be enjoyable. The real magic lies in the impact that what we see on screen creates. If a movie manages to captivate me in the moment, I can’t help but be swept away, even if I find myself questioning the logic later on. In the case of Ballerina, its enchanting dance sequences and heartfelt characters more than made up for any minor plot holes that may have been present.

In the movie I quite liked, titled “Ballerina”, I find myself having to stretch my imagination to accept the storyline. The fresh installment of the John Wick series, titled “John Wick: Eve”, introduces Ana de Armas’ character as a new lead with her own lineage within the franchise. Daringly, it attempts to interweave itself into the ongoing narrative. Notably, Ballerina boasts some familiar characters such as Winston, Charon, Anjelica Huston’s ‘the Director’, and even John Wick himself, played by Keanu Reeves. While it’s enjoyable to see the taciturn assassin back in action, I find myself having trouble accepting his role within this film’s context.

John Wick’s Return For Ballerina’s Climax Makes No Sense

And The Movie Even Made Sure I Noticed

The upcoming movie, known as “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” is predominantly set between the storylines of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “John Wick: Chapter 4.” There’s a significant overlap with the previous film. At an early stage in the plot, when Eve is still learning under Ruska Roma, she observes John, who has been excommunicated, ask the Director for safe passage out of New York City. His request is granted, but it comes at a heavy price: his ticket is torn, and thus, his connections with the family are permanently severed.

Towards the end of the film, after Eve causes chaos within the Hallstatt cult, John Wick encounters her once more. The evil Chancellor of the cult then contacts the Director and warns of a potential war between their groups due to the ancient peace Eve has violated. As a desperate measure to avoid hostilities, the Ruska Roma decide to assign someone to eliminate her by the stroke of midnight. Unsurprisingly, that individual is none other than Wick.

To be frank, I’m not particularly troubled by the events unfolding in this scene. The intense battle between Eve and John, where she seems overpowered but he’s determined not to take her life, keeps me hooked. The twist when he decides to aid her instead, adds depth to both their characters. However, what leaves me scratching my head is how he ended up there in the first place.

It’s hard to believe that the Director would assign John for this task, let alone accept it. The Ballerina movie has emphasized that Wick was expelled from the Ruska Roma, and the family is trying to avoid war. If their operative fails to stop Eve, they risk a conflict they seem eager to evade. It’s puzzling, even for people unfamiliar with the franchise, why they would send someone they no longer have any control over, especially given the high stakes involved.

Revisit the plotline of the John Wick films: Currently, John is in hiding due to his excommunication. Earlier, the Director, who helped him escape New York, was punished by the High Table by being stabbed through both hands for her actions. Now, imagine the situation if they found out that she not only hired John a few months later but also knew his location and timings without informing them. Does the danger posed by this secretive cult surpass the potential backlash from the High Table for both of them, considering their past actions?

Should Ballerina Have Given Up Bringing John Wick Back?

At Some Point, You Need To Have Some Faith In The New Hero

It makes sense why the creators of “Ballerina” might have wanted John Wick to reappear, given various aspects – I can visualize the audience response if Lionsgate advertised the movie based on his comeback, only to reveal that was all there was in the opening scene. However, the plot manipulations necessary to bring him back proved to be a significant distraction for me. Ever since leaving the cinema, I’ve found myself questioning certain aspects of the film, and it seems as though more plot holes have emerged over time. (Don’t you find it odd that the maniac from the cult who attempted to kill Eve after completing their job was the one who initially broke the supposed truce?)

Instead of pondering over what I didn’t like about “Ballerina”, let’s discuss the appealing aspects for me. After her impressive display in “No Time to Die”, Ana de Armas solidified her reputation as a credible action star. The film’s portrayal of action, reminiscent of Easter egg clues suggesting the Three Stooges compared to its main films’ Buster Keaton style, infused the violence with a goofy, unexpected hilarity that had me chuckling more than anticipated. The concept of a city filled with assassins ready to be activated on a whim is undeniably cool.

I can’t help but feel that the movie could have approached its conclusion differently, perhaps excluding John from it. For instance, suppose the Director had chosen to send Nogi instead, Eve’s Ruska Roma mentor. This change would maintain the dynamic, yet introduce a more emotionally intense situation. Such a decision would have left Eve facing a challenging dilemma, as opposed to the current version where John’s big choice overshadows Eve, who is essentially unable to harm him and has no other option but to stay with her character.

It seems as though Ballerina was trying to make it clear that this movie was indeed a part of the John Wick series, even though I didn’t require such confirmation. If they decide to carry on with Eve’s story (and I hope they do), I’d prefer to see de Armas given the freedom to wrap up her film in a way that makes sense without forcing continuity to its limits.

Read More

2025-06-06 04:49