A group of American Ballerinas must fight their way out of a remote Hungarian inn that is run by the local mobster.
Entertaining blend of horror, action, and comedy!
This is one of those films that knows exactly what it wants to be and embraces it with unapologetic exuberance. From the very beginning, it becomes clear that this Amazon Prime Video original is not aiming for realism or subtle social commentary. Instead, it delivers a wildly entertaining blend of action, horror, and dark comedy, wrapped in a surrealistic aesthetic that feels both eccentric and captivating.
Let’s start with the premise, which is as delightfully outrageous as it sounds: American ballerinas fighting to the death against a Hungarian mobster and plenty of henchmen. And when I say “fight,” I mean ballet-infused combat-kung fu style-with blades, bottles, hammers, shotguns, and, of course, some impressively choreographed kicks. It’s a concept that throws logic out of the window and replaces it with sheer cinematic audacity.
The film’s surreal tone is also established through its striking production design. The inn where much of the action unfolds is described on IMDb as featuring arched stone corridors, wrought-iron detailing, and textured wood and velvet elements. A visual contrast between faded grandeur and environmental decay that creates a dreamlike, almost theatrical setting that perfectly complements the film’s over-the-top narrative.
Director Vicky Jewson and writer Kate Freund, both also serving as executive producers, fully commit to this heightened reality. Rather than grounding the story in plausibility, they lean into its absurdity, presenting violence in a stylised, almost operatic manner. The result is a film where killing is portrayed less as brutality and more as a flamboyant extension of performance, echoing the elegance, harshness, and discipline of ballet. And all that, for your entertainment!
The young ensemble and diverse cast, Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, Lydia Leonard, Avantika, Millicent Simmonds, and Iris Apatow, bring tremendous enthusiasm and physical commitment to their roles, successfully conveying the eccentricity and intensity required by such demanding choreography (without being woke). And then there is Uma Thurman, who once again proves her magnetic screen presence. She lights up every scene she appears in, adding gravitas and charisma to an already vibrant film. And remember, that back in the day, it was Thurman who performed all these amazing stunts!
While the portrayal of Eastern European characters leans into standard Americanised stereotypes, the film approaches these elements with a tongue-in-cheek sensibility that aligns with its overall tone, as it is not meant to be taken seriously.
In the end, this is a film that, as said, embraces its own eccentricity, offering ninety minutes of (literally) escapist fun. If you’re willing to surrender to its madness, you’re likely to have a thoroughly entertaining time.
One last note: If you are looking for a film where a woman “seriously” punches, kicks, and shoots her way out, Jewson has also directed the amazing Close (2019): https://kaygazpro.com/close-2019-action-thriller/
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