In Pretty Lethal, a group of teenage ballerinas finds themselves trading their tutus for tactical gear. It follows a group of ballerinas as they try to escape from a remote inn after their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition. It’s a classic ensemble trope, the religious zealot, the vapid socialite, and the traumatized loner forced into a sisterhood of blades and blood.
Maddie Ziegler leads the charge as the rebellious source of violence. It is genuinely comical yet terrifying to watch her utilize extension and poise to “unalive” enemies; her muscle-bound pep talks are the highlight of the film.
Avantika delivers a hilariously unhinged performance as Grace, the religious nut of the group, while Lana Condor shines as the “chatty bimbo” providing much-needed comic relief. Millicent Simmonds continues her streak of stellar performances, with the production cleverly using her POV, complete silence, to heighten the tension during chaotic action sequences. Finally, Uma Thurman steps into a familiar role as a vengeful leader, a character type she executes with the effortless, icy grace we’ve come to expect.
The technical execution is where Pretty Lethal truly leaps. The camera work is exceptional, featuring long, sweeping one-shots that put the performers’ physical endurance on full display. The choreography is a masterpiece of contrast, blending the fluidity of ballet with gruesome, box-cutter-wielding carnage. The sound design effectively toggles between the rhythmic “thwack” of pointe shoes and the haunting silence of Simmonds’ perspective, creating a visceral, immersive experience.
While the story follows a fairly predictable “Mean Girls with Glocks” trajectory, the film thrives on its sheer audacity. It embraces its tropes, the bitchy banter and “mean girl” energy and elevates them through high-octane action.
The standout moment is a haunting, climatic scene where the girls face down 30 thugs in a full ballerina formation; it’s a sadistic visual that will resonate with fans of Abigail. While the plot is mediocre, the action choreography is world-class. Seeing these girls use their hyper-flexibility as a combat advantage is a joy to watch. It’s a gory, witty, and surprisingly “cute” coming-of-age story that ends by returning to the essence of the dance. Prime Video has a certified sleeper hit on its hands.
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