As a passionate cinephile, I must say that Ana de Armas’ portrayal of Eve Macarro in “Ballerina” echoes the spirit of John Wick, albeit in a distinctly different way. Throughout the film, she faces countless adversaries, most belonging to a mysterious organization known as the Cult, which holds an intriguing connection with the families under the High Table. By the climax of “Ballerina”, Eve finds herself in a predicament that requires John Wick’s formidable assistance to execute her revenge plot effectively. What sets this film apart from the John Wick series is the evident disparity between Eve’s combat skills and the legendary prowess of Keanu Reeves’ character, making for an engaging and unique viewing experience.
Following four movies where John Wick masterfully eliminates numerous adversaries, it’s nice to have a new perspective within the franchise. Consequently, the reviews for the movie Ballerina have been generally positive. Even Rachel Labonte from Ebaster gave it a 6 out of 10, so it’s not receiving as much acclaim as the John Wick series, but it still offers an enjoyable action-packed experience. I hope de Armas will reprise her role for a sequel in the future, but for now, let’s delve into The Cult, the faction that Eve battles in Ballerina.
The Cult’s Role In Ballerina & Who Is Involved
Eve’s Father, Mother, & Sister Were All Members Of The Cult
In the opening scenes of the film Ballerina, we find that Eve was raised within the Cult from her childhood days. At the start, it appears that her father abandoned the Cult and took her with him, living peacefully for a while. However, the Cult, led by Gabriel Byrne as The Chancellor, eventually locates them. One fateful night, a group of the Cult’s members breach their home, attempting to assassinate Eve’s father. Despite being outnumbered, he puts up an impressive defense, with Eve assisting him in eliminating all the cultists sent to eliminate them.
Following a heartbreaking turn of events, Eve’s father perishes from his injuries sustained in the battle. Fast forward 12 years, and we find Eve being trained by the Ruska Roma. Intrigued about the secretive group her father was affiliated with, she had been left in the dark by Director Anjelica Huston. Upon noticing an “X” on a foe’s wrist that mirrored the markings from the night her father passed, Eve resolves to embark on a solo mission to trace and eliminate the Cult’s leader.
In Eve’s pursuit of the enigmatic cult, she discovers a snow-blanketed European village, where every inhabitant is a devotee of the cult. Upon her arrival, she swiftly realizes that the townsfolk are all members of this mysterious group. As the movie unfolds, Eve must relentlessly battle her way through the town in search of the Chancellor. This struggle ultimately unveils a shocking truth: Eve’s long-lost older sister, Lena, has been a devoted cult member for years. After their emotional reunion, the Chancellor mercilessly commands his followers to eliminate them both.
Moments ago, Lena disclosed that Eve’s father hadn’t rescued her from the Cult because she was already a trained assassin, having taken a life. Regrettably, Eve’s time with me was abruptly ended when Lena perished, struck by grenades hurled into our conversation-filled house by the Chancellor’s men. In the ensuing climax of the film, I, Eve, persistently eliminated members of the Cult, aided by John Wick, until I ultimately tracked down and ended the life of the Chancellor. This decisive action is bound to cause seismic shifts within the power dynamics of the Cult.
The Cult Has Been Around For 1,000 Years In John Wick’s Universe
The Cult Has Existed As Long As The High Table
In the movie “Ballerina”, most of the storyline revolves around Eve’s ongoing quest for revenge against the mysterious cult, leaving little insight into the group’s past. However, it is hinted that this cult has been in existence for an incredibly long period, even predating the High Table by a substantial margin. This suggests that, like the High Table, the cult has roots dating back to the era of the Roman Empire and has endured through various significant historical periods.
Given its longstanding history, stretching back to the High Table, it is plausible that the Cult’s surviving members will find a means to restore their power. This implies that we might encounter them again in a potential “Ballerina” sequel or a future installment of the “John Wick” series.
How The Cult Is Connected To The High Table
The Cult Doesn’t Follow The High Table’s Rules
For nearly as long as the High Table has stood, it’s no surprise that there’s a cooperative arrangement between the two institutions. Despite the fact that the Cult doesn’t adhere to the High Table’s regulations and its members don’t abide by the same guidelines, they are still allowed to stay at Continental hotels worldwide. As Winston informs Eve before she embarks on her vengeful journey, organizations that serve the High Table gladly welcome Cult members with open arms to monitor the unpredictable group’s activities.
Toward the closing scenes of “Ballerina“, it’s revealed that the Director, leading the Ruska Roma, maintains a connection with the Chancellor. In a chilling phone conversation, the Chancellor warns the Ruska Roma of an impending war. This is something the Director aims to prevent, demonstrating that even families tied to the High Table still fear the Cult. As such, the Cult, despite its connections with the High Table and the numerous underling crime organizations, operates independently and follows unique rules, making it a formidable force.
The Cult’s Future In John Wick After Ballerina
Will The Cult Return After Ballerina?
Having avenged the Chancellor’s death and reunited Ella with her father in the world of Ballerina, I, Eve, find myself back in New York City. Though my vengeance was sweet, whispers suggest that the sinister Cult won’t rest until they have me. So, if there ever is a sequel to this captivating tale, it seems likely that the Cult will once again loom large and menacing.
| John Wick Movies | RT Critics Score |
|---|---|
| John Wick (2014) | 86% |
| John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | 89% |
| John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) | 89% |
| John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) | 94% |
| From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) | 72% |
In the closing scene of the movie, there’s a hint that Eve may persistently battle against the Cult in potential upcoming Ballerina films, much like John Wick battled the High Table in the mainline John Wick series. With a price now on her head, the members of the Cult will be extra determined to track down and eliminate Eve. This suggests that if a sequel to Ballerina is produced, we might learn more about the Cult’s past, as they are likely to reappear in future films.
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2025-06-06 15:59