Ballet Meets Battle: 'Pretty Lethal' (2026) Movie Review

In this episode of Mindset Movie Reviews, I take a closer look at Pretty Lethal (2026). Directed by Vicky Jewson, starring Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, Lydia Leonard, Avantika, and Millicent Simmonds. ⭐ Rating: 3.0/5 🏆 IMDb: 5.8/10 🎬 Genre: Horror, Thriller, and Action ⏱ Runtime: 88 minutes 📅 Release Year: 2026 🎥 Watch the full video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgNgbr5-HZA Follow the podcast for more honest movie reviews — no fluff, no hype.

Transcript

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Hi there movie lovers, welcome to Mindset Movie Reviews. Today's movie review is Pretty Lethal from 2026. Pretty Lethal, directed by Vicki Jussen, is an action thriller that attempts to blend the grace of ballet with the intensity of a survival narrative. The film follows a group of ballerinas whose bus breaks down en route to a dance competition, leaving them stranded at a remote inn. This seemingly innocuous setback quickly escalates into a life or death struggle when they become targets of a criminal gang led by Devorah Casimir, played by Uma Thurman, a former ballerina herself. The premise of ballerinas using their dance skills to fight off adversaries is intriguing and offers a fresh take on the action genre. The film's choreography cleverly incorporates ballet movements into combat sequences, creating a unique visual style. However, while the action scenes are inventive, they sometimes feel repetitive, as the dancer's elegant spins and leaps are used to dispatch foes in a manner that becomes predictable. The cast, led by Maddie Ziegler as Bones and Lana Condor as Princess, delivers commendable performances. Ziegler's portrayal of Bones, a tough and emotionally guarded dancer, is both physically impressive and emotionally resonant. Condor's Princess, initially perceived as delicate, evolves into a resilient character, adding depth to the narrative. Their dynamic, along with the supporting performances by Iris Apertau, Millicent Simmons, and Avantica, provides a solid foundation for the film's emotional core. Despite these strengths, Pretty Lethal struggles with character development and plot coherence. The script, penned by Kate Freund, offers only surface-level insights into the character's backgrounds and motivations. This lack of depth makes it challenging for viewers to fully invest in the character's journey. Additionally, the film's setting in Hungary feels underutilized, with little effort made to ground the story in its cultural context. Uma Thurman's portrayal of Devorah, the film's antagonist, is commanding but lacks the complexity needed to elevate the narrative. Her character's motivations remain underexplored, reducing her to a one-dimensional villain. The film's reliance on familiar genre tropes further detracts from its potential, as predictable plot developments undermine the tension and suspense. Visually, the film is striking, with a contrast between the ethereal aesthetic of ballet and the gritty environment of the inn. The cinematography captures the beauty and brutality of the action, framing fights in a way that mirrors dance performances. However, the film's pacing occasionally falters with moments of humor and drama that disrupt the overall flow. Pretty Lethal explores themes of discipline, resilience and unity, highlighting the dancer's ability to adapt and survive. While these themes are woven into the narrative, they sometimes feel heavy-handed, detracting from the film's impact. The film's exploration of the physical and mental demands of ballet offers an interesting parallel to the character's fight for survival, but it stops short of delivering a profound commentary. In summary, Pretty Lethal is an ambitious film that offers a unique premise and strong performances but falls short in execution. Its inventive action sequences and thematic exploration provide moments of engagement, yet the film's predictability and lack of depth prevent it from fully realizing its potential. For fans of action thrillers seeking something different, it offers a novel experience, but it may leave others wanting more. And that's my take on Pretty Lethal, and I'm giving it three stars out of a possible five. Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed this review, please like, subscribe, and I hope to see you all next time on Mindset Movie Reviews.