User reviews

Don't expect another My Name, Kill Bok Soon, or John Wick. There's no complex over the top fight choreography scenes, our heroine has a very limited very old amount of guns, will run out of bullets, she gets injured and and she will need help from others. This is a more realistic take on a revenge movie and is not a bad thing at all.

The pace is fast and is enjoyable that way, faster than you know it will be finished!

The plot is very simple yet some very dark subjects that will get you emotional at some points.

Acting is great, after The Call, Jeon Jong Seo is once again KILLING it as the female lead.

Even when this role doesn't have much dialogue, she has a way of performing emphasizing the use of her body language and face expressions to convey emotions, thoughts, and storytelling elements without relying on spoken words. I am just so impressed.

Overall was a good movie for a Friday night, give it a go!

Focuses strongly on themes of assault and grooming.

This movie focuses on a woman tracking down a man to avenge her friend, then finding out she may have not been the only one to suffer under his cruelty.

I absolutely adored the cinematography, some scenes reminded me of the original OldBoy, especially in one of the scenes which takes place in a hallway.

The movie had quite a few parts in it that made me laugh out loud, only because of how ridiculous the situation was that the main character was in, rather than in a comedic sense, but for the majority of it, it's very dark and uncomfortable at times. Quite graphic fighting scenes which I wasn't expecting, but it was all done well and I enjoyed it.

Soundtrack was spot on, fit the scenes really well. I would honestly be happy for this movie to be longer, I feel that a few scenes were quite rushed and I would have appreciated for them to be longer, but the fast pace made sense as it kept you on your toes.

A dark revenge thriller with great characters. Loved Jeon Jong-seo as a badass killer who avenge her friend.

The plot is very simple, it's a revenge thriller but the vibrant cinematography and the killer soundtrack makes it so fresh and interesting to watch with amazing fight choreography. Well, there are not very much over the top action sequences, but it is done so well with the camera work, it looks pretty great.

The colour grading, visuals and the soundtrack are the major win for the film. It's rich in vibrant colours which makes the audience stick to the screen and the score is eccentric which makes the film even more energetic and the performance and the action is done right.

Jeon Jong-seo has been on a winning streak with Burning, The Call, Mona Lisa and now this... And seeing her in the leading action role was such a treat. Also, she proves revenge is best served cold.

From the very first scene in the film, the action is pretty well done and also the story is pretty good. It's not that we haven't seen these kinda story before but it's a entertaining one nevertheless.

Full Disclosure- I am a Korean Cinemaphile. I have written for years that Korean films are as good, or better, than Hollywood movies currently being made. This is especially true in the action genre. This film is a perfect example. It is a gritty action film about a talented, but reluctant, woman with deadly skills who is forced to use them to avenge her friend, the Ballerina. The film uses the subject of sex slavery and involuntary pornogrpahy as its somber backdrop to generate the basis for the action in this one. Its stars are good, although somewhat animated. The action and fighting are good. The gun violence is better than the fight choreography. The relationship between the Ballerina and the star is nuanced and very sweet. It is the foundation upon which it the film is built. You can watch in English dubbed version, but I prefer in Korean with English subtitles.

... Hollywood is mainly concerned with churning out pre-sold, pre-packaged, pre-digested, product to feed the maw of streaming media. Korea, on the other hand, still encourages uniqueness and individuality among its creators. Plus, Korean cinema has a reputation for producing some of the best rom-coms, and best revenge thrillers, on the planet. It is easy to criticize Ballerina for being too artsy, too slow-moving in the middle act, and too reliant on flashbacks. Fact is, however, flaws and all, it is still one of the best thrillers of its kind to emerge this year. Notice also also that the notes and beats are remarkably similar to Equalizer 3 -- smashing open, slow middle, and killer final act. Satisfying. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Ballerina attempts to carve its niche in the revenge-action genre offering a departure from the typical over-the-top fight scenes we've grown accustomed to. The film takes a realistic approach, presenting a grittier and emotionally charged narrative.

The pace of the movie is one of its strengths, swiftly moving from one scene to another. You'll find yourself towards the climax before you know it. Despite the simplicity of the plot, Ballerina touches on dark subjects that evoke genuine emotions. The soundtrack, too, adds to its strength. Despite feeling rushed at times, the fast-paced nature keeps you on your toes.

Jeon Jong-seo, known for her stellar performance in The Call (one of my recent favorites), once again impresses as the female lead. Despite limited dialogue, her ability to convey emotions through body language and expressions is commendable.

The action and fighting sequences are good, however, the gun violence surpasses the fight choreography. The nuanced and sweet relationship between the Ballerina and the protagonist forms the emotional core of the film.

Ballerina delves into dark themes of assault and grooming, with a focus on a woman's quest for justice and discovering the extent of her friend's suffering. While some scenes bring laughter due to their absurdity, the overall tone remains dark and uncomfortable, accompanied by fighting scenes.

Unfortunately, it relies heavily on its impressive visuals than the substance. It seems to lack depth. Despite great action sequences, dark theme, it does not fully impress you although the climax was good enough.

In the realm of South Korean movies, Ballerina might not reach the heights of some of its counterparts. Its cool visuals, impressive action, and a standout lead performance make it a decent Friday night movie, offering a different take on the revenge-action genre. However, its flaws, including a lackluster plot and more action than substance might leave some viewers wanting more from the overall experience.

If you're looking for the next Godfather, Unusual Suspects, or some other smartly written film, seek life elsewhere. This is a great action packed film with an excellent cast and a simple storyline. The action is great and is pretty violent, for those of us who enjoy that genre. The acting is pretty good and convincing. Standard revenge for a fallen friend, but well worth the time investment. The villains are so unlikable, it just makes rooting for the heroine that much better. Very clever how she outsmarts and hunts down the bad guys. I really like well developed and though through the heroine is. The whole hidden past thing is predictable, but you can forgive it for this fun film.

A typical style over substance flick that largely depends on its impressive making... Director Chung- hyun lee direction arrives straight to the point without harming crispy runtime of 90 mins ,keeping the plot simple and predictive the screenplay plays a major role in keeping intrigued until climax... Jeon jong seo is seriously the badass girl loved her attitude and the confidence or cool stuffs at deadly situations,while kim ji Horon hunts u unconditionally.... Camera work enhances the mood of the flick and the use of neon lights gives a vibrant mode and crave for more action stunts... Overall a good pretty decent action movie to watch out.

This film tries to be a generic revenge action flick, but fails heavily in actually providing story. This is mainly due to a lack of dialogue, allowing for barely any narrative beyond the basic premise. Only the flashbacks had enough dialogue to clearly convey the story. The pacing is really poor and the film moves by too fast due to this. This can also be attributed to a short runtime. Either way, the film quickly glosses over every scene that isn't action/flashback and doesn't ever discuss or work out anything.

I was bored and uninterested and some okay fight scenes with a few subvertive moments can't save such a dialogue-devoid and structurally flawed script from being uninteresting.

This is the action thriller of the year. It's been proven before that Korean action thrillers are well done from Man from Nowhere to No Mercy. In Ballerina there is a quick emotional involvement with the characters that grips and then lots of convincing original action. And the actors have star quality and charisma that keeps you watching. So it's an entertaining gripping watch that isn't too long. The violence is quite something even for jaded action fans. The fighting is brilliantly choreographed.

A shout out to the leading cast members who really make this show. Terrific female lead Jeong Jeon Seo has an attitude and modern look that suits this type of movie perfectly. Kim Ji Hoon gives another convincing villain performance. He was great in Flower of Evil and he does it again here.

Luc Besson fans will like this one. Though it is less comical than Besson movies.

I went into this movie with zero knowledge of the plot and without any expectations. My spouse had it on their "watch list", and they put it on before I had read the plot summary. We watched with English dub instead of subtitles bc we watched while enjoying dinner together (we enjoy subtitles when they're available over dubs typically).

Was this movie a little predicable? Yes. Was it entertaining? Yes. Did we feel revenge was served? Yes. Win-win for us.

I was surprised at how little dialogue there was throughout the movie with so much action, but honestly, the movie carried well with the acting and action and the story was told without a ton of script writing required, IMHO.

Ugh u waited so long for this movie to come out, and I really had high hopes for it, but everything was just so underwhelming.

The story and characters were underdeveloped, the action didn't hit that hard, it should have been longer and time spent developing the characters and story.

I love Jun Jong-seo, she's such an up and comer, and I can see her doing more action in the future, but this was just not it. The production did her dirty.

Kim Ji-hun could have made a really creepy and dangerous villain, but again, not enough time spent developing these characters.

It's not a bad movie by any stretch, but it really could have been rivalling Kill Bill if they just gave it a chance.

Based on real-life sexual exploitation cases, and written and directed by Lee Chung-hyun who collaborated with Jeon Jong-seo on her second feature, 'The Call.' Weaves a vengeance tale about a former bodyguard who sets out to fulfill her bestfriend's dying wish towards punishing those who wronged her.

Jeon Jong-seo delivers a fabulous portrayal as the hardened Jang Ok-ju. Whose fondest memories lie with the deceased ballerina Choi Min-hee portrayed by Park Yu-rim, revealed through a series of flashbacks. The development of their relationship is believable due to the sound chemistry these two actresses have onscreen and it applies much needed weight to the narrative. Once the audience discovers that Choi Min-hee's death is linked to a human sex-trafficking ring orchestrated by Choi Pro portrayed by Kim Ji-hoon, who has moments of shine and supplements well as the gangster who thrives off the oppression of his victims. This is fuel for Jang Ok-ju's mission of bloody retribution which involves sleek action sequences combined with quick editing cuts, artistic camera angles and incredible stunt choreography performed by Jeon Jong-seo herself that only intensifies the experience.

'Ballerina' is cinematically stylish with delicious cinematography and a booming soundtrack composed by Gray (in his debut as music director) which compliments a storyline that is not as refined and manages to generate it's own unique vibe.

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The story is simple, Okju (Jun Jong Swo) just wants to fulfill her friend's (Minhee (Park Yoo Rim) last wish for revenge. She wanted revenge because she found out that her best friend had been a victim of sexual harassment which caused his best friend to commit suicide. There isn't much dialogue, the pacing is fast, the fight scenes are more interesting. The cinematography is also good. I love the ballet dancing scene. The ending was too rushed. I hope there will be an exciting epic battle between Okju and Choi Pro (Kim Ji Hun). And maybe if this movie explored their friendship more deeply, you could relate to it more.

The Climax was really amazing. The end actionwas really intense. The ending was really beautiful.

The beginning parts were going very slow and a curious pace. The actresses were really good.

They showed the mafia and all. The cars like Lambo was there. The cinematography of the action was also good to watch.

My eyeballs popped out watching the action as i was not expecting that much.

But i can confirm that the movie Kill Boksoon had more action than this one.

This had more drama. We can see friendship here which changes a dangerous person completely.

The music selection was good at some places and bad at someplaces.

Overall, i mostly loved the climax part.

When it comes to South Korean movies, most of the time, I'm heavily invested, impressed and enthralled. However, some can't be the greatest I guess. Like Ballerina for instance, it just didn't work for me...

The movie does have cool lighting, great action sequences and cinematography. These were really the only things I loved about it. The plot doesn't make sense and is kinda stupid. I couldn't feel any sympathy or care for any of the characters. Most of the time it dragged and it didn't seem to know where it was exactly going. Halfway or more than halfway, I didn't even know what was going on anymore.

The last 20 minutes are the best part of the movie. I gotta give it that.

If you're looking to watch a great South Korean movie, find something else. Ballerina isn't all it. You're not missing too much here.

I'm so enjoying Korean movies and T. V. This movie tackles a real problem in this world "Sex Slavery".

I found that a bit in your face, but loved the way the main Character Faught for her friend and all the other girls who's lives were stolen and were being taken advantage of. If you like action, it's here.

If you like Revenge, it's here too. I love the way the main Character found light in her friend which gave her reason to want to live. I hope through this movie, people will become more aware of what is really going on in this world. Although this was fictional, there is a lot of truth here too.

Haha, a funny beginning. As the film progresses, a leading actress with a certain something (at second glance), entertaining action spikes, short suspense, minimal story, respectable visuals, soundtrack that takes some getting used to, linear and expectable sequence of events, generally video game-like feeling, as is so often the case with this kind of film.

Some compare the overall impression with "John Wick", others categorically reject this. I'm with the former, the aforementioned characteristics also fit Wick 4 perfectly.

Clearly less budget, but with breathers and no (for the genre) so unpleasant running time.

Did it entertain me? Yes. Will I watch it again? No.

Jang Ok-Ju gets a call from her best friend Choi Min-hee, apologizing for being distant and inviting her to catch up. As Ok-Ju remembers her moments with Min-hee, a ballerina, gets heartbroken to find Min-hee dead at her place. She has written a letter with the name of the person responsible and request Ok-Ju to avenge her. Thus, begins Ok-Ju's revenge mission to find the guy and fulfil her friend's final wish.

It's a done to death story involving sex traffickers and losing a loved one for the crime pushing the lead to turn into an one woman army to take down everyone and everything they hold onto preciously. However, it is not the predictable story that feels like a downer but the slow narrative and lack of enough action scenes which makes this into a dull watch. Having to wait 40+ mins for the first action scene and then the next decent action being placed in the climax, offers very little entertainment value.

Apart from that, the story revolves around Ok-Ju and her memories of her best friend. So there is not much back story to the main lead to explain how is she so tough and for the best friend's predicament. The villain seems good but not much of a match to the lead and also the character's action in the final act leaves a lot to be explained. The screenplays sticks to the revenge action drama template but remains a stale narrative throughout.

The premises of a girl getting revenge intrigued me and the idea of clashing it with something as elegant as a ballerina.

The settings were enjoyable to watch, characters were played great, and most of the cinematic were also up my road. And I say most because it was only the fight scenes that tried to play around the camera shots was kind of confusing to follow along.

As for the narrative, I feel like it lacked depth. The pain and motive for the protagonist was there but it could've had more. E.g. We don't get to learn about how the protagonist became very skilled at killing and fighting. However the film had potential to become more, and I'd love to see how the director takes on future projects.