"Ballerina," "Wall to Wall," and "Brick": Brief and Not-So-Brief Opinions: Part 20

Brick (Netflix), Ballerina, Wall to Wall (Netflix)

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The 'brief and not-so-brief opinions' articles are my outlet to rant about or appreciate movies, shows and their elements. I will express my thoughts while watching and after or only after watching, it depends. I will not be rating. These are not spoiler-free for the most part, and no research will be made for or about them (unless it's out of curiosity or accidental, which would be mentioned). They are in no particular order of recent watching as well. However, the opinions are based on the order in which the movie or series is viewed (for the most part). This wouldn't be as structured or detailed, and there would be no set number of picks per article. It would be just as things go. It is intended to be casual. So think…conversations about movie plots, characters, topics, or something like that.

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Brick (2025)

Waking up the next morning to a new development is life-changing enough, but these apartment residents wake up to something unlike any other as they find themselves sealed inside the building, tormented by each Brick blocking their entries and exits. The story focuses on a couple, Tim and Olivia, from the beginning to the end as they develop plans, allies, and their relationship on the way to the basement in hopes of a tunnel to the train station. The game developer and architect meet their neighbours and Airbnb renters while trying to uncover the mystery of the swift and sturdy change that occurred overnight. Spoiler -everyone but the couple died, and I don't know how I feel about that still. I felt bad for Lea's death the most, and felt Ana's could have been avoided earlier, but the Yuri character lived up to the perception and expectation I had. I was happy that Tim and Olivia finally addressed their grief and issues while getting the fresh start Olivia wanted in the beginning. I saw some greenery far away, so I believe they could truly start afresh somewhere, as it wasn't only their building in Hamburg that felt the effect of the nanotech defence trigger. The movie was okay and ended on a sombre but hopeful note.

Wall to Wall (2025)

2025's Wall to Wall movie focuses on the dangerous effects of noise complaints on an individual and the building's residents. Noh Woo-sung's life from April 2021 to August 2024 is explored to showcase the change in his demeanour from a happy and engaged man who purchased a unit to a single man struggling to make payments on his debt for his home. The movie highlights the "house poor" character and portrays his streams of income, rising interest rates, judgmental workplace, struggles within his home to reduce bills, and more. Woo-sung gets roped into a conspiracy where he's framed for the commotion and taken advantage of as a character in a documentary about the effect of poorly constructed buildings. The movie realistically depicts the severe impacts of noise disturbances that progressively worsen as a man spirals out of control. It is a maddening experience to expose the disrespect and exploitation in the housing and journalism industries, as well as the concerning nature of most, as Kang Ha-neul's Woo-sung returns to the scene of his traumatic experience and sorrow, seemingly starting all over again.

Ballerina (2025)

After losing her father, Eve Macarro learns more about the importance of resilience as a Ballerina under the guidance of the Ruska Roma. She finds a new home and purpose shaped by the ballerina globe that her father gave her. She intends to leave the organization's home and assassin training to become as respected as John Wick, and her determination fuels vengeance for her dead father. I liked the tie-ins within the story, such as Eve mentioning her sister at the beginning and her being shown later, as well as the scene with Ella and her father, similar to Eve's past. However, I was shocked that Ella's father was alive at the end because it felt random and somewhat unbelievable, even though he's the son of The Chancellor. I think the reunion between Eve and her sister should have been a bit longer. While the reunion showed a good connection, Lena's affection for her sister is not reciprocated, which makes it feel pointless. The movie's strength lies in its action, which in this case focuses on Eve's dynamic fighting style. Ana de Armas' Eve uses anything she can to fight, making it interesting to see what she chooses next. This film is a spin-off of the John Wick franchise, and the nostalgic nod to Keanu Reeves' character is clear. While Eve learns to succeed in fights after being told to do anything and to "fight like a girl," she doesn't win when faced with John Wick, as he consistently tells her to leave her revenge and the location.

A part of me wondered if it was hypocritical of her to seek vengeance for her father when she agreed with John Wick that there are rules and consequences, which her father received for taking her away from the assassin cult and community, as he was given a chance to save her in the beginning. The illusion of choice is highlighted as her father made a choice, and so did she. However, she felt better off than Lena, who stayed and worked for the community in which they were both born. During their first meeting, John Wick told her she could just walk out the door if she wanted to leave, and stated that he was trying to leave as well, a sentiment he shared again when they were reunited. This highlights the weight of their lifestyle and choices, which are few and are often not comfortably chosen. Eve accepted death if she couldn't kill The Chancellor, a risky decision to take if she truly considered saving Ella from the start, while acknowledging the code of conduct she ignored when everyone warned her not to go against the Hallstatt people. The movie is fine. It didn't leave me with the 'wow' factor I think it deserved, but the possibility of a sequel is high as Eve becomes the wanted one with a bounty on her in the end. I wonder what will happen to her next as she learns more about being a true Kikimora or if she will become the 10-year depiction portrayed by the veteran assassin she had no choice but to kill.

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