‘Pretty Lethal’ Explores the Dark Underbelly of Ballet with Bone-Crunching Flair
What happens when the rigid discipline of ballet collides with the adrenaline-soaked violence of an action thriller? ‘Pretty Lethal’ takes this ambitious question and runs with it, stepping beyond the dance studio into a world where tutu-clad heroines find themselves fighting for survival deep in the forests of Eastern Europe.
A Promising Twist on the John Wick Formula
Action fans will instantly recognize a familiar DNA in ‘Pretty Lethal’: the movie comes packed with the kind of slick, relentless combat choreography the John Wick franchise turned into a pop-culture phenomenon. But unlike the ballet-background tease in some of that series’ spin-offs, director Vicky Jewson doubles down, making dance an organic and dangerous part of the fight itself. The result? Fight sequences that blend pirouettes with punches, where every plie might be the prelude to a knockout blow.
The Ballerinas, Their Flaws, and the Heist Gone Wrong
Writer Kate Freund crafts a tale that centers on a troupe of young ballet dancers—Bones (Maddie Ziegler), Princess (Lana Condor), Zoe (Iris Apatow), Chloe (Millicent Simmonds), and Grace (Avantika)—eager to take the Budapest stage. Internal rivalries threaten to unravel their unity, highlighted by Princess’s unyielding bravado clashing with Bones’ insecurity about her place among wealthier peers. But these tensions pale in comparison to the chaos unleashed after their bus breaks down in rural Romania, leading them to a seemingly safe inn run by the mysterious Devora, portrayed with icy depth by Uma Thurman.
The story goes from simmering drama to explosive violence when a gangster’s son turns their world upside down, leaving the dancers hostage and their teacher dead. As captors become prey, the dancers must depend on their physical training—not just for beauty and precision, but for survival.
Fast-Paced Action, Missing Emotional Depth
Clocking in at just 88 minutes, ‘Pretty Lethal’ wastes no time jumping into the heart of its high-octane premise. While this relentless momentum is a double-edged sword—keeping viewers on their toes but cutting short meaningful character work—its rapid-fire setup leans heavily into action over introspection. The opening scenes quickly set up the group’s fractured dynamics, but supporting characters, particularly siblings Zoe and Chloe, get lost in the shuffle, with their motivations and arcs remaining frustratingly undercooked.
Yet, some gems shine through. Avantika’s Grace offers an amusing religious zeal, cleverly subverted during moments of chaotic hilarity, and Uma Thurman’s Devora emerges as a layered antagonist, her tragic backstory lending empathic weight to her villainy.
Choreography That Blurs the Line Between Art and Combat
The signature hook of ‘Pretty Lethal’ remains its commitment to fusing ballet technique with brutal self-defense. While a handful of sequences fully embrace the elegance and agility of dance—evoking comparisons to David Harbour’s memorable ‘Violent Night’ mashup of yuletide magic and hand-to-hand mayhem—other fights suffer from awkward timing or telegraphed punches that break immersion. Still, the ambition is notable, especially for fans who crave fresh takes on cinematic violence.
Empowerment and Entertainment for a New Generation
Despite its narrative stumbles, ‘Pretty Lethal’ stands out as a quick, fierce, and surprisingly playful ode to female empowerment. The camaraderie and confrontation between its leads invite audiences to root for them—not just as survivors, but as determined individuals finding their collective strength. It’s a film that will particularly appeal to viewers looking for an unconventional action fix where style, skill, and sass collide against a backdrop of high-stakes peril.
‘Pretty Lethal’ is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video—perfect for those who want their action with a side of spectacle and subversive fun.
