Movie review
June 4, 2025 · 125 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro's revenge quest after her father's murder by a cult. The story repeatedly hammers the "fight like a girl" mantra in training scenes, teaching her to use ballet grace, dirty tactics, and strategy as a female assassin rather than brute strength. This empowerment theme runs through her character arc and combat style. No political lectures or identity politics beyond the female lead focus.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Ballerina.
Woke representation / casting
Female lead and ballerina-assassin premise get prominent emphasis with "fight like a girl" training visible in marketing and story.
Woke political dialogue
No explicit political dialogue.
Identity-driven story themes
"Fight like a girl" and feminine combat style drive key training and fight sequences in Eve's arc.
Western institutional / cultural critique
No activist critique of institutions or culture; pure fictional revenge.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Light to moderate online anti-woke backlash over perceived girlboss elements and fatigue; not fringe but not dominant.
Creator track record context
Director Len Wiseman's prior female action focus plus Emerald Fennell script contribution.
