Pretty Lethal Review: An Unexpected Blend of Ballet and Extreme Violence

Pretty Lethal is a horror movie created by Amazon Prime Video, directed by Vicky Jewson and written by Kate Freund.

The film follows a group of five American ballerinas: Bones (Maddie Ziegler), Princess (Lana Condor), Grace (Avantika), Chloe (Millicent Simmonds), and Zoe (Iris Apatow), who are on their way to a prestigious dance competition in Budapest. Their journey takes a dark turn when their bus breaks down in a remote area of Hungary, forcing them to seek refuge in a seemingly abandoned inn run by Devora Kasimer, performed by Uma Thurman, a former ballet star with a mysterious past.

A group of dancers from the United States find themselves trapped in a strange inn in Hungary and use their art to free themselves from their captors. At first glance, the concept might seem like a forgettable exploitation film, but in reality, it is a superior title compared to typical streaming platform releases. Jewson succeeds in capturing the intrigue of the plot and managing the various elements involved. Although these elements could have been more deeply developed at their core, the way they are presented and the atmosphere they create manage to make an impact.

The portrayal of a young woman demonstrating her feisty and determined spirit in order to survive becomes one of the powerful visual elements of this genre film. The portrayal of Eastern Europe as a place full of criminals, murderers, and butchers fits the stereotypes of cinema.

Gory choreographies

Pretty Lethal presents a concept that combines the language of ballet with elements characteristic of action cinema. The precision of the dancers' movements, their physical strength, and their dedication take on new meaning in a high-risk environment. The film introduces the term Ballet-Fu which adapts the technical movements of dance to fight scenes, creating choreography that blends the artistic with the violent.

Jewson develops this fusion from a perspective that aims to combine the authenticity of the dance world with elements of the thriller genre. The result is a story in which skills learned through art are reinterpreted as tools for survival, in an environment where every choice has immediate consequences.

Maddie Ziegler, one of the lead actresses, draws on her experience in the world of dance to provide a more accurate portrayal of the dancers' lives. Her involvement helps to underscore the physical and emotional dimensions of the plot, which explores both the demands of ballet and the internal dynamics of a group under pressure.

The experience transforms them permanently. They gain the ability to work together under pressure, to react to danger, and, most importantly, to recognize that reality offstage is not governed by the same rules. This change is not portrayed in a heroic or idealized way, but rather stems directly from the violence they have had to face.

The ending is not entirely positive, but neither is it presented as tragic. Instead, it is primarily a point of transformation. The dancers continue with their lives, but they do so with a new perspective on the world and on themselves. It is in this transformation that the film’s true resolution lies.

Final thoughts

Pretty Lethal aligns with a recent trend that seeks to transform the norms of dance-focused cinema. Instead of conventional ballet performances, the film offers a perspective that blends physical realism with aspects of fiction and action. This approach to gender makes it possible to explore new ways of representation.

In addition, the idea arises from a desire to portray a more authentic vision of the experience of dancers, distancing itself from idealizations and addressing both physical and mental demands that this practice entails. At the same time, the thriller element provides a narrative layer that goes beyond the artistic realm.