ISLAMABAD: A decade after her Hollywood debut alongside Keanu Reeves in Knock Knock, Ana de Armas has returned to the screen with him—this time as the lead in Ballerina, a spin-off from the John Wick universe.
For the Cuban-born actress, the journey from a struggling newcomer to headlining a high-octane summer action film is nothing short of transformative.
Speaking ahead of the film’s release, de Armas reflected on her early days in Los Angeles, fresh from Spain, barely speaking English, and desperate to prove herself. “It was tough and I felt miserable at times and very lonely,” she recalled. “But I wanted to prove myself.
I remember producers saying, ‘I’ll see you in a year when you learn English.’ I would just reply, ‘I’ll see you in two months.’”
From Outsider to Oscar Nominee
Since her debut, Ana de Armas has rapidly ascended in Hollywood, earning critical and commercial acclaim.
From her ethereal role in Blade Runner 2049 to her star-making performance in Knives Out, and an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, she has consistently expanded her range.
Her appearance in the James Bond film No Time to Die solidified her potential as an action star—a potential now fully realized in Ballerina.
The new film places de Armas at the center of one of cinema’s most celebrated modern action franchises. Using lethal precision—at one point with an ice skate—she brings fierce energy to a genre long dominated by male leads.
A Full-Circle Career Moment
For de Armas, reuniting with Reeves on Ballerina is symbolic. “It’s a big moment in my career, and I know that,” she said. “It gives me perspective of the journey and everything since we met. Things have come far since then.”
With Ballerina, Ana de Armas doesn’t just revisit her roots—she reinvents them, proving herself as a commanding force in Hollywood’s action arena.
