For Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves’ Co-Star 10 Years Ago and Once Again, ‘Ballerina’ Is a Pirouette

Ana de Armas has returned to her roots. The Cuban-Spanish actress reunites with Keanu Reeves in Ballerina, the eagerly awaited John Wick spin-off, ten years after they first appeared together on screen in Knock Knock (2015). For de Armas, this reunion is more than just a new job; it's a pirouette, a tasteful comeback to a well-known partner in a very different setting.

From Thriller to Action: A Decade of Evolution

She was still a rising star, moving from Spanish-language parts to Hollywood, when she and Reeves first collaborated on Knock Knock. She is one of two attractive but dangerous strangers who torture Reeves' character in Eli Roth's psychological thriller. Even if the movie was divisive, de Armas' performance was noteworthy because it demonstrated how she could strike a balance between charm and threat.

In 2024, de Armas has achieved stardom thanks to her performances in Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out, and No Time to Die. Action fans saw a glimpse of her physical skills in The Gray Man and No Time to Die, while her Oscar-nominated performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde demonstrated her range as a dramatist. It seems like a logical progression to play Rooney, a vengeful assassin trained in the Ruska Roma, in Ballerina.

Reeves, on the other hand, has only become more famous as the stoic yet unrelenting hitman who revolutionized contemporary action movies, John Wick. His reappearance in Ballerina, albeit in a supporting capacity, connects their current paths—Reeves as her mentor in the Wick universe, de Armas as a top action star—with their previous partnership.

A Different Dynamic in the ‘John Wick’ Universe

While Knock Knock was a gripping thriller with a lot of dialogue, Ballerina immerses de Armas in the fast-paced, violent universe of John Wick. The film, which was directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld), follows Rooney as she tracks out her family's murderers while negotiating the same murky underworld of hotels, assassins, and unwritten laws.

Additionally, the dynamic between Reeves and de Armas has changed. They are now allies rather than enemies, possibly even mentors and protégés. Reeves was known for being giving on set, so it's possible that his presence gave de Armas a sense of security as she assumed a physically demanding role.

Why ‘Ballerina’ Feels Like a Full-Circle Moment

Ballerina is more than just another action film for de Armas; it's a reflection of her development. She was the upstart competing against an established celebrity ten years ago. She now becomes the lead and carries a significant franchise entry, with Reeves taking on a supporting role. The co-star has turned into the star, and the student has turned into the teacher. This symmetry is lyrical.

Furthermore, by extending the John Wick legend beyond Wick himself, Ballerina marks a new chapter in the series. Like Atomic Blonde did for Charlize Theron, if it is successful, it might solidify de Armas as an action icon.

Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves: A Decade Later, ‘Ballerina’ Completes Their Cinematic Dance

In Knock Knock (2015), a psychological thriller that featured Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves playing a deadly game of cat and mouse against one another, they first appeared on the same screen. When they rejoin in Ballerina, the John Wick spin-off, some ten years later, their dynamic has radically changed. This role is more than simply another one for de Armas; it's a full-circle moment, a cinematic pirouette that recalls an old colleague in a completely different way.

Conclusion: A Graceful Leap Forward

Ballerina is more than just another action film for de Armas; it's a reflection of her development. She was the upstart competing against an established celebrity ten years ago. She now becomes the lead and carries a significant franchise entry, with Reeves taking on a supporting role. The co-star has turned into the star, and the student has turned into the teacher. This symmetry is lyrical.