Following the SXSW premiere and ahead of its March 25, 2026 Prime Video release, Vicky Jewson's 'Pretty Lethal'—starring Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, and Uma Thurman—earns a mixed Variety review. The film impresses with its early fight choreography blending ballet and violence but falters in sustaining momentum and character development.
As covered earlier with the release of bloody teaser images, 'Pretty Lethal' (produced by 87North, the team behind 'Bullet Train') follows American ballerinas stranded at a remote Hungarian inn amid mobster threats, fighting back with dance-honed skills. Directed by Vicky Jewson from a Kate Freund script, it features Ziegler as street-smart Bones, Condor as rival Princess, and Thurman as the innkeeper Devora Kasimer who ignites the conflict. The ensemble includes Lydia Leonard, Avantika, Iris Apatow, and Millicent Simmonds (using ASL, interpreted by her sister).
Cinematography by Bridger Nelson, editing by Richard Smither, and score by Paul Leonard Morgan highlight the 88-minute USA-UK co-production, presented by Amazon MGM. Variety praises the opening action as 'magnificent,' with dancers' athleticism shining realistically—white outfits bloodied, pointed shoes weaponized—in defensive battles against larger foes. However, the review critiques repetitive action without evolution, underdeveloped supporting roles, identical dancer skills flattening choreography, and diminishing returns lacking a strong climax. While Ziegler anchors as an empowering lead, the film doesn't fully realize its high-concept premise.