‘Pretty Lethal’ review: Dance floor turns into battlefield
Pretty Lethal, directed by Vicky Jewson and written by Kate Freund, is an action thriller that transforms ballet into a high-stakes fight for survival, and was released globally on Prime Video on March 25, 2026.
It follows five rival ballerinas who, after their bus breaks down in a forest, take shelter at a mysterious inn run by former ballet star Devora Kasimer, played by Uma Thurman.
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What starts as a dance trip quickly escalates into deadly encounters, with spins, ribbons, and pointe shoes turning into weapons.
Maddie Ziegler leads as Bones, the tough, street-smart dancer, delivering a performance that showcases both her acting and physical skills.
Lana Condor plays Princess, a rival ballerina, while Iris Apatow, Avantika, and Millicent Simmonds give solid support.
Uma Thurman’s innkeeper is chilling, though her screen time is brief. Jewson’s choreography blends dance with combat in innovative ways, turning leaps, pirouettes, and ribbon movements into dynamic fight sequences reminiscent of Atomic Blonde or John Wick.
Stylish but shallow
While the action is exciting, the story struggles to keep pace. The first act is slow, the characters lack depth, and the villains feel predictable.
Some humor and dialogue fall flat, and the emotional stakes rarely land. The ending resolves the conflict but leaves tension underdeveloped, making the movie feel lighter than its action promises.
The standout of Pretty Lethal is its visual style. Long shots capture the fluidity of dance and the precision of fight moves, while sound effects emphasise each strike and collision.
The blend of ballet and brutal combat is creative and keeps viewers engaged, even if the narrative lags behind.
Early reactions have been mixed. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes scored the film around 57%, while audiences responded more positively.
The film’s short runtime of 88 minutes makes it a brisk, stylish watch, perfect for fans of female-led action who want something different from traditional fight movies.
Pretty Lethal succeeds as a spectacle, giving Maddie Ziegler a platform to shine and turning classical ballet into a battlefield.
Its story may falter, but the inventive choreography and visual flair make it a memorable, if not entirely deep, action thriller.
Rating: 6/10
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William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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