Now here’s a movie with a lot to live up to. “Ballerina” (marketed with the tag “From the World of John Wick”) is a spin-off to one of the most heralded action movie franchises in recent years. That makes for some big shoes to fill. But to director Len Wiseman’s credit, he doesn’t necessarily try to fill them. He and screenwriter Shay Hatten (who helped pen “John Wick: Chapter 3” and “Chapter 4”) put their attention on a new character, and star Ana de Armas does the rest.

Without question Wiseman leans into the visual, visceral, and violent world of John Wick. Even the near mythical ‘Baba Yaga’ himself (Keanu Reeves) makes an appearance. Yet while the film is in harmony with the franchise’s established sense of style, unique world-building, and ferocious fight choreography, “Ballerina” is more than some cheap knockoff. And much like its revenge-fueled protagonist, the movie has enough of its own flavor to stand out within this well-defined world.

De Armas plays Eve Macarro, a lethal assassin set on a path for vengeance. As a child she witnessed her father’s murder at the hands of a mysterious sect. As a result, Eve was taken to the Director (Anjelica Huston), a crime boss and head of the New York branch of the Ruska Roma. The Director raised Eve and over the years taught her how to channel her pain. Eve would eventually be trained as one of the Director’s ‘ballerinas’ who in reality are highly skilled assassins.

While fulfilling a contract, a memory is triggered after Eve encounters a group of killers bearing the same mark as the men who murdered her father. She approaches the Director for information and is sternly ordered to let it go. But Eve is determined and follows a body-littered trail that eventually leads to a mysterious off-the-grid leader known as the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). But their world is one of rules. And by breaking them Eve ends up as the hunter and the hunted.

Several new names enter the world including Norman Reedus as an assassin on the run and Byrne who makes for a worthy villain. But none are better than Ana de Armas who holds her own as an action star and John Wick protagonist. Then there are the welcomed familiar faces such as Ian McShane’s Winston, the enigmatic and charming owner of the New York Continental Hotel, Charon (the late Lance Reddick), the Continental’s concierge and a loyal friend to Winston, and of course John Wick himself.

If you’re a fan of the John Wick movies you’ll be thrilled to know “Ballerina” fully embraces the franchise’s rich mythology. We get it all including the dynamic locations, the underworld codes, and the array of colorful characters. And of course you have the kinetic, pulse-pounding action sequences which have become a staple of the franchise. We see de Armas firing bullets, throwing axes, swinging ice skates, spraying fire – essentially using whatever she can grab as a weapon.

Filled with killer characters, callbacks and carnage, “Ballerina” earns its spot amid the ever-growing John Wick canon. And all while highlighting the budding star power of a terrific Ana de Armas. She brings a fitting yet fresh energy to the franchise, committing herself completely and giving us a character who we hope to see again. And I can’t think of a better compliment to give the movie than this – I want more Eve Macarro. “Ballerina” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

Garrett Hedlund gets a meaty character to unpack in “Barron’s Cove”, a gritty and grounded crime thriller from writer-director Evan Ari Kelman. The 40-year-old Hedlund has proven to be a captivating actor when given the right material and he certainly gets it here. Kelman’s script may stretch itself a little too far, but it builds good drama and its characters are well developed and fit nicely within their complicated world, none more than Hedlund’s.

The story is set in the small Massachusetts town of Monroe City. Hedlund plays Caleb Faulkner, an enforcer for a construction supply company owned by his uncle, Benji (Stephen Lang). Caleb’s job is to ensure contractors buy exclusively from his uncle, and he does so by any means necessary. It’s not work Caleb enjoys. But he owes Benji for taking him in, and the money he makes helps support his ex-wife Jackie (Brittany Snow) and their young son Barron (Dante Hale).

Caleb’s life comes crumbling down after Barron is tragically killed during a horrific incident on a train track. The details surrounding the boy’s shocking death are hazy. All the police tell Caleb is that Barron was out on the tracks with two other boys, one of them being Ethan Chambers (Christian Convery), the bratty and seemingly deranged son of a crooked candidate for state senate, Lyle Chambers (Hamish Linklater).

Overcome with the guilt of not being there for Barron, a frustrated Caleb desperately tries to get answers. But with each dead-end he turns a little more volatile. Caleb is eventually pushed to the brink after Barron’s death is unexpectedly ruled a suicide. With no real explanation (and nothing left to lose), Caleb goes on a self-destructive quest for the truth. And that quest starts with Ethan Chambers.

I won’t give away where the story goes, but it takes some unexpectedly dark turns. Throughout it Kelman does a good job exploring small town corruption, with dirty cops and dirtier politicians playing key roles in how things play out. Interestingly, nothing is as cut and dry as it first seems. Kelman throws us several curveballs, especially in the second half. And while the back end isn’t as tightly wound as the first half, it keeps us engaged and guessing.

“Barron’s Cove” is a rural crime thriller in every sense. Yet underneath its rugged exterior is a surprisingly thoughtful examination of revenge versus forgiveness. It mostly comes through Hedlund who shrewdly channels his character’s torment and pain. The script leaves much of Caleb’s struggle on the surface, but Hedlund finds ways to take us deeper. It’s a rich and textured performance that fuels many of the film’s strengths and elevates the movie beyond its few weaknesses. “Barron’s Cove” opens June 6th in theaters and on VOD.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS