As an enthusiast of high-octane cinema, my pulse usually quickens at the mention of visceral, bone-crunching choreography. From the relentless pace of The Raid to the stylistic brutality of The Shadow Stray, there is a unique satisfaction in seeing well-executed combat on screen. This excitement was amplified when I saw 87 North’s logo attached to the new release, Pretty Lethal. The production house has a storied history of hits like Bullet Train, Nobody, and The Fall Guy. However, they aren’t immune to the occasional misstep, such as Kate or the more recent Love Hurts. Unfortunately, Pretty Lethal finds itself sliding into that secondary category—a film with a captivating premise that fails to realize its full potential.
Story
The narrative follows a quintet of American ballet dancers who journey to Hungary for a career-defining competition. When their bus breaks down in a remote area, they seek refuge at a secluded roadside inn. What begins as an uncomfortable stay quickly transforms into a nightmare as the dancers find themselves hunted by a gang of ruthless criminals operating out of the establishment.
On paper, the setup is fantastic. We are introduced to a group with built-in friction: the rebellious Bones (Maddie Ziegler), the privileged Princess (Lana Condor), the sheltered Grace (Avantika), and the inseparable sisters Zoe (Iris Apatow) and Chloe (Millicent Simmonds). The film expertly lays the groundwork for a tense “survival of the fittest” scenario, yet as soon as the group enters the inn, the script begins to unravel. Character motivations are sidelined, and the initial interpersonal drama is largely discarded in favor of disjointed subplots.
Performances
The cast is undeniably impressive, led by the legendary Uma Thurman. Despite the star power, the actors are frequently hamstrung by a script that lacks depth. Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, and Avantika provide high-energy performances, trying their best to breathe life into flat dialogue. Avantika, who recently shone in Mean Girls, shows flashes of that same charisma here, but the writing rarely allows her to take center stage.
The villains are equally underserved. Tamás Szabó Sipos plays Pasha, a hot-headed gangster’s son who serves as the primary antagonist. While he effectively carries the “untouchable jerk” trope, he lacks the chilling presence of similar characters, like those seen in John Wick. Even the introduction of Uma Thurman as the inn’s owner, Devora, complicates rather than enriches the plot. Her personal vendetta against the gangsters feels disconnected from the plight of the young dancers, making our primary protagonists feel like secondary obstacles in their own movie.
Behind the Lens
Director Vicky Jewson struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout the runtime. Pretty Lethal exists in a strange limbo between a campy action-comedy and a gritty survival thriller. This tonal whiplash prevents the audience from fully investing in the stakes. One moment, the film leans into the absurdity of ballerinas fighting thugs; the next, it attempts a somber, horror-infused atmosphere.
Where the film truly shines, however, is in its physical execution. When the fighting starts, the movie finds its rhythm. The action sequences are inventive, utilizing the grace and flexibility of the dancers to create unique, “gnarly” kill scenes. It is clear that the stunt team and the cast had a blast crafting these moments, and they represent the only time the film truly feels creative.
Final Verdict
Pretty Lethal is a classic “mixed bag” through and such. It offers flashes of brilliance during its hyper-violent action set-pieces, but the connective tissue holding them together is thin. If you are looking for the narrative tightness of Ready or Not, you likely won’t find it here. However, since it is debuting as a Prime Video original, it is worth a casual stream for action junkies who want to see some top-tier choreography. It’s an entertaining enough diversion, even if it doesn’t quite earn a standing ovation.
Pretty Lethal premiered at SXSW on March 13 and is available for streaming on Prime Video starting March 25.
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“Pretty Lethal” Trailer: Uma Thurman Leads Prime Video’s New Ballet-Action Thriller
