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SXSW Reviews for Pretty Lethal Applaud Inventive Ballet-Driven Action, Question the Script

The Vicky Jewson thriller streams on Prime Video March 25 following a festival debut that foregrounds choreography over character depth.

Overview

  • Critics describe a female-led action thriller in which stranded American ballerinas fight to survive at a remote Hungarian inn.
  • Reviews broadly praise the choreography and inventive set pieces, while citing thin character development, plotting issues, and uneven tone.
  • A signature sequence features dancers attaching blades to their pointe shoes, a standout conceit repeatedly highlighted across reactions.
  • Maddie Ziegler anchors the ensemble with Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Iris Apatow, and Avantika, opposite Uma Thurman as the inn’s owner.
  • Backed by 87North with producer David Leitch, the 88-minute film will debut globally on Prime Video on March 25.