With John Wick movies you need to watch before the spinoff film. The action franchise started from relatively modest roots in 2014 with the release of John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves as the titular legendary assassin who comes out of retirement to seek revenge against the man who killed his dog, which was a final gift from his recently deceased wife. The franchise and its mythology have grown exponentially over the years, with three sequels directed by Chad Stahelski.

Directed by Len Wiseman, Ballerina will be the franchise's first film to take the focus away from John Wick, introducing Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, the titular ballerina-turned-assassin on a quest for revenge. Ballerina's cast includes several franchise stars reprising their roles, including Reeves as John Wick, Ian McShane as Winston Scott, the late Lance Reddick as Charon, and Anjelica Huston as the Director. However, just how much Ballerina is connected to the main John Wick movies remains to be seen.

How Ballerina Fits Into The John Wick Movie Chronology

It's Set Between Chapters 3 & 4

Ballerina is set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, introducing de Armas as the former ballet dancer who undergoes training in the deadly arts of the Ruska Roma to exact revenge against those who killed her father. During her quest, Eve checks into the Continental Hotel, where she is under the protection of Winston and Charon. Ballerina's trailers reveal that Eve and John Wick will come face-to-face and eventually fight one another.

A collage of 3 images of John Wick from the John Wick movies - created by Tom Russell

John Wick Full Timeline Explained: When Each Movie & Spinoff Takes Place

The John Wick films and spinoffs have been released over a span of ten years. The In-universe storyline has a surprisingly shorter timeline.

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It's also worth noting that some parts of the spinoff will take place during the events of Chapter 3, as one scene sees Eve watching John Wick as he visits the Director. The film also features flashbacks to when Eve was a young girl, played by Victoria Comte. However, much of Ballerina, including Eve's quest for revenge and her run-in with John Wick, will be set between the events of Chapters 3 and 4.

Ballerina's Setting Means Watching The First 3 John Wick Movies Before Is Encouraged

They Help Lay The Foundation For the Ruska Roma

Since Ballerina is set between Chapters 3 and 4, watching the first three John Wick movies is strongly encouraged. They help lay the foundation for the Ruska Roma, a powerful criminal organization and one of 12 that hold a seat at the High Table. John Wick was once an orphan from the tribe and was taken under the wing of the Director, who raised and trained him. As he grew older, he left and became a legendary assassin working for the Tarasov Mob.

Ballerina will recontextualize this scene through Eve's perspective, played now by de Armas, who watches Wick as he meets with the Director.

Ballerina also directly overlaps with the events of Chapter 3, in which John seeks help from the Director, the head of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, at the Tarkovsky Theater. There, Eve (also known as Rooney and played previously by Unity Phelan) can be seen performing a dance recital. Before John leaves, he catches a quick glimpse of her. Ballerina will recontextualize this scene through Eve's perspective, played now by de Armas, who watches Wick as he meets with the Director.

Seeing John Wick 4 Before Ballerina Won't Hurt Either

Just In Case

Since it's set directly after, seeing John Wick: Chapter 4 before Ballerina wouldn't hurt either. The fourth film continues John's story involving the Ruska Roma, as he seeks to re the organization. Though he is initially rejected, he eventually earns their trust back, is reinstated through a branding ritual, and gains the family's backing once again.

To fully appreciate Ballerina, watching the first three John Wick films is strongly recommended since they help lay the foundation for the Ruska Roma and Eve's ties to the Director. Chapter 3 is especially important since it introduces Eve, known as Rooney. Seeing Chapter 4 before Ballerina wouldn't hurt either, since it continues John's story involving the Ruska Roma.

Ballerina releases in theaters on June 6.