

A group of ballerinas try to escape from a remote inn after their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition.
Where to Watch Pretty Lethal
- I was excited to watch this movie since seeing the trailer and it didn't disappoint. The premise was interesting with having 5 ballerinas basically being held captive; it had awesome fight sequences, just enough gore, some dancing, a bit of humor, Uma Thurman and most importantly, it didn't take itself too seriously. I would have done the ending slightly differently, but it was a great and entertaining watch!
- I feel like this movie is made specifically for people taking ballet. If that's you, you'll probably love the action and constant "Yeah! We are badass!" theme. I found the whole exercise grating and dull and cliche. It's a middling action movie that throws its arm out patting itself on the back. I'm not the target audience though, so it's like slandering a Marvel. Those who this is made for will enjoy it and can disregard this.
- John Wick meets Black Swan Pretty Lethal is a "cheap and cheerful" Friday night adventure that succeeds more as a stylistic exercise than a deep character study. It’s a fun, fresh, and violent romp that benefits immensely from its unique choreography and Thurman’s scenery-chewing performance. While the plot is thin and the pacing uneven, it’s a solid choice for fans of the "girls with guns" subgenre who are looking for something with a bit more grace.
- The dark comedy is exactly my kind of humor, and I liked how weird and ridiculous this gets once it really gets going. The whole idea is completely bonkers, but the movie has enough personality to make it work, especially when the ballet skills actually become part of the action. Some of the kills are pretty fun too, and there’s a good mix of violence and comedy that kept me entertained. Uma Thurman also fits the over-the-top tone really well. The weaker side is definitely the story and characters. Some of them are pretty thin, the dialogue can be clunky, and the movie takes a little too long before it fully embraces what makes the premise fun. I also think it could have pushed the dark comedy even further instead of playing things fairly safe in places. Still, once it gets into the crazy stuff, I was having a good time. Pretty dumb, pretty bloody and definitely my kind of dark comedy.
- This is a campy version of a horror/escape film, and I loved it. They fight everyone using kick-ass ballerina moves (yes, this has been used in other movies, so not anything new) and throwing out one-line zingers. They definitely had fun making this movie, and at some parts I was laughing with them. The fight scenes are good for the most part, and Uma Thurman is has a great time hamming it up. What a great ride! Make a sequel--I'm there for it!!
- Pretty Lethal goes for an action-vibe similar to John Wick, but it really doesn't get there. Yeah, there are some good action sequences, and the combination of ballet dancing with brutal violence is top-notch - but, the characters are incredibly shallow, and the plot isn't just predictable, it's less dense than an high-level summary from ChatGPT. The fight choreography is good and Ziegler definitely pulls a lot of the weight, but even the legendary Uma Thurman's appearance isn't able to pull this movie into a good place.
- My quick rating - 6.2/10. Pretty Lethal walks in wearing pointe shoes and immediately kicks you in the face. Gracefully, of course. The movie opens with a sincere little monologue about the brutal, soul-melting reality of being a ballerina, which might trick you into thinking this is some A24 trauma ballet. Then the opening practice scene hits, and the dancers are throwing hands like they're auditioning for Black Swan: Fight Club Edition. It’s the kind of tonal whiplash I live for on my movie reviews page, because Pretty Lethal clearly knows exactly what it is. A dark comedy–action–horror hybrid that refuses to apologize for any of its choices. Our five drenched dancers - Bones (Maddie Ziegler), Princess (Lana Condor), Grace (Avantika), Chloe (Millicent Simmonds), and Zoe (Iris Apatow) - wander into a mysterious inn after their bus breaks down, because nothing says “good life decisions” like instantly agreeing to change into tutus in a stranger’s house. But hey, there’s a stage! You’re already in dancewear! Why not loosen up those hamstrings while a guy upstairs is being branded on the tongue? The film doesn’t bother with believability. It leaps straight into chaos like a grand jete performed off a balcony. At the 18-minute mark, after someone’s brains hit the floor with the elegance of glitter scattering on marley, we finally get the title card for Pretty Lethal, and it feels earned. These girls don’t actually know how to fight, which makes the violence feel hilariously scrappy and weirdly satisfying. Ballet training becomes a weapon. Bruised toes and taped joints turn into improvised survival tools. It’s like watching Van Damme with better extension and more eyeliner. The choreography really is the secret sauce here. Pretty Lethal blends classical movements with combat in a way that feels fresh instead of gimmicky. A hiding sequence built entirely on dancer flexibility? An entire ensemble routine used to beat the hell out of a small army? Yes, thank you, more of that. And Bones delivers the line of the movie with absolute deadpan perfection after one girl gets drugged: “What kind of a ballerina doesn’t know how to throw up?” It should be on a T-shirt. Uma Thurman glides through her limited screentime like a sinister casting director who wandered in from a different, classier film but decided to stay because the carnage looked fun. Pretty Lethal never tries to be deep. It prefers being violent, silly, self-aware, and stylish. It flirts with horror, winks at its own absurdity, and pirouettes straight through logic into the land of guilty-pleasure gold. Is it high art? No. Did I enjoy watching ballerinas stage-combat a mob of henchmen like they’re auditioning for Swan Lake: The Apocalypse? Absolutely. This is the kind of ridiculous genre mashup I’ll happily add to the watchlist for anyone who loves action served with bruises, blood, and a perfectly pointed toe.
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Pretty Lethal was released on March 25, 2026.
Pretty Lethal was directed by Vicky Jewson.
Pretty Lethal has a runtime of 89m.
Pretty Lethal was produced by David Leitch, Kelly McCormick, Piers Tempest, William Bindley, Mike Karz, Annie Marter.
A group of ballerinas try to escape from a remote inn after their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition.
The key characters in Pretty Lethal are Bones (Maddie Ziegler), Princess (Lana Condor), Zoe (Iris Apatow).
Pretty Lethal is rated R.
Pretty Lethal is an Action, Thriller, Horror film.
Pretty Lethal has an audience rating of 6.2 out of 10.

















