Showcasing the talents, muscle and drive of ballerinas through action-packed fight and dance sequences, “Pretty Lethal” is a women-empowering film emphasizing the connection between women and their emotional and physical strength. The film, written by Kate Freund and directed by Vicky Jewson, is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
The movie follows a group of ballerinas, Bones (Maddie Ziegler), Princess (Lana Condor), Grace (Avantika Vandanapu), Chloe (Millicent Simmonds) and Zoe (Iris Apatow), and their journey from California to a prestigious international competition in Budapest, Hungary. Accompanied by their dance instructor, Miss Thorna (Lydia Leonard), their bus breaks down on the way to the competition, and they are forced to seek refuge from a storm in a remote inn. The group’s luck takes a turn for the worst when they face a devastating loss and discover the inn is being run by the head of a crime family and former prima ballerina, Devora Kasimer (Uma Thurman).
This film features a juxtaposition between the graceful elegance of ballerinas and the viciousness and aggression of fighters. The movie doesn’t fail to remind viewers that being a ballerina is more than being a “delicate butterfly” and requires intense training and drive.
The timing of this movie’s release has not been left unnoticed by fans after Timothée Chalamet said “no one cares” about ballet and opera anymore in an interview with Matthew McConaughey in early March. This interview sparked outrage within the artistic community for the disregardment of the hard work and years of devotion these artists put into their craft.
One of the most glaring pieces of symbolism in the film is seen in the white leotards, tutus and pointe shoes the girls wear in the inn. White symbolizes the innocence and purity of the girls, and as the film progresses, the girls become disheveled and covered in gore and blood, showcasing the destruction of innocence and their hidden talent for violence.
Overall, “Pretty Lethal” is a very fun and exciting watch, especially during the fight sequences. One of these sequences includes an impressive grand battement, which Bones performs with a blade embedded in her pointe shoe.
Rating: 7.5/10
