‘Pretty Lethal’ Review: Style, Fight Choreography, and a Story That Doesn’t Stick the Landing

Pretty Lethal blends ballet and action inside a deadly setting—but struggles to balance style with substance.

One of SXSW’s more talked-about genre entries, Pretty Lethal, has officially landed on Prime Video—bringing with it a mix of hype, curiosity, and a concept that feels tailor-made for a specific audience.

Directed by Vicky Jewson and led by a cast that includes Maddie Ziegler and Uma Thurman, the film follows a group of elite ballerinas traveling to a high-profile showcase when their trip is derailed, forcing them into a secluded hotel run by a former dancer. What unfolds is less about performance and more about survival, as the group is pushed into a fight-or-die scenario that leans heavily into stylized action and heightened tension.

On paper, the concept works. Ballet as a weapon, discipline turned into survival instinct—it’s the kind of idea that immediately grabs attention. And to the film’s credit, there are moments where that vision comes through. The choreography, in particular, shows flashes of creativity, using movement and physicality in ways that feel distinct from standard action setups.

But where Pretty Lethal starts to lose its footing is in execution.

The film leans into familiar territory with its core dynamic—privilege versus outsider, rivalry within the group, and a hierarchy that never feels fully explored beyond surface-level tension. Instead of developing each character with intention, the story narrows its focus, leaving much of the ensemble underutilized and interchangeable.

Tonally, the film sits somewhere between Black Swan, Charlie’s Angels, and the ballet-adjacent action space audiences have seen building recently. But even with that blend, it struggles to find a consistent identity. There are moments that feel grounded in tension, followed by sequences that push into near-absurdity, making it harder to fully invest in what’s happening on screen.

That inconsistency carries into the action itself. While the choreography is ambitious, the leap from trained dancer to full-scale combatant isn’t always convincing, even within the film’s heightened reality. It creates a disconnect where the ideas are strong, but the believability doesn’t always follow.

That said, Pretty Lethal isn’t without its audience.

For viewers looking for fast-paced, stylized action with a unique visual hook, there’s enough here to keep it engaging. It’s the kind of film that plays well as a casual watch—something you put on for the energy rather than the depth.

And with its setup, tone, and ensemble structure, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the film attempt to build into a larger story if it finds the right audience.

Pretty Lethal delivers on concept and flashes of creativity, but falls back on familiar storytelling and uneven execution.

Score: 2.5 / 5