Ballerina (2025) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Ballerina takes place across several key locations, including New York City (home to the Continental hotel), Prague with its historic architecture, and Hallstatt, Austria. These settings serve different purposes in Eve's journey, New York represents the assassin underworld's infrastructure, Prague hosts dangerous confrontations with the Cult, and Hallstatt provides the final battleground.

• new york
• prague
• hallstatt
• continental hotel
• settings

The film is set in contemporary times, though it spans over a decade to show Eve Macarro's evolution from a traumatized girl into a skilled assassin. This extended timeline highlights how her experiences shape her journey through the violent world of the Ruska Roma.

• contemporary
• modern
• timeline
• era

Revenge drives Ballerina's narrative, following Eve Macarro's quest to avenge her father's death and rescue her sister. This pursuit of vengeance leads her down a path of moral dilemmas and brutal confrontations, defining her transformation from ballerina to assassin.

• revenge
• vengeance
• eve macarro
• motivation

Family bonds are central to Eve's motivations, as she navigates her loyalty to her deceased father while forming new connections. The revelation of her sister Lena adds complexity to her quest, creating layers of familial obligation that intertwine with her pursuit of revenge.

• family
• lena
• sister
• father
• bonds

Betrayal runs throughout the film, as Eve confronts the treachery of the Cult and discovers shocking truths about her own family. These betrayals create a backdrop of mistrust and conflict, amplifying the personal loss and emotional turmoil she experiences on her quest.

• betrayal
• cult
• family secrets
• trust

Eve Macarro is the film's protagonist, portrayed by Ana de Armas. She is the daughter of assassins, trained as both a ballerina and killer. Fiercely determined to avenge her father's death and protect her loved ones, Eve undergoes significant personal growth as she struggles to forge her identity within the chaotic world of assassins.

• eve macarro
• ana de armas
• protagonist
• assassin

John Wick appears as a legendary assassin who initially advises Eve against embracing a life of violence. Despite his notorious past, Wick demonstrates themes of redemption and compassion by ultimately assisting Eve in her quest, adding depth to the interconnected world of assassins.

• john wick
• keanu reeves
• mentor
• assassin

The Director, played by Anjelica Huston, oversees Eve's training and represents the Ruska Roma assassin's interests. As an enigmatic figure of authority, she balances personal beliefs with the harsh realities of the assassin world, making decisions that have lasting impacts on Eve's trajectory.

• the director
• angelica huston
• ruska roma
• trainer

Winston, portrayed by Ian McShane, is the owner of the New York Continental hotel and a significant ally to Eve. His wise and shrewd nature helps Eve navigate the dangerous political landscape of the assassin underworld while understanding her place within this intricate web of alliances.

• winston
• ian mcshane
• continental
• ally
• new york

The Ruska Roma is the ancient assassin organization that trains Eve Macarro. It represents the film's secret society structure, a hidden world of killers with their own traditions, codes, and hierarchies that Eve must navigate as she pursues her goals.

• ruska roma
• assassin organization
• secret society
• training

Ballerina has a dark tone characterized by vengeance, familial tragedy, and the morally grey world of assassins. The film carries heavy emotional weight from themes of loss and trauma, with minimal humor given its serious subject matter and high tension throughout.

• dark tone
• violence
• thriller
• emotional weight