Pretty Lethal (2026)
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2025-09 to 2026-08 · Missing measurements appear as gaps.
The story
A Los Angeles-based ballet troupe, including a principal dancer, a socialite, a religious woman, and a pair of sisters, are traveling to a prestigious international competition in Budapest. After a series of mix-ups at the airport, they are forced to take a run-down bus. When the vehicle breaks down, they seek refuge at the Teremok Inn, a performance art themed hotel. However, the establishment is run by a former prima ballerina who is secretly the head of a crime family. When the troupe is targeted by a gang of armed men, they must rely on their specialized dance training and poise to survive the escalating violence.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
A Los Angeles-based ballet troupe traveling to a competition in Budapest takes a run-down bus that breaks down. They seek shelter at the Teremok Inn, run by Devora Kasimer, a former ballerina and crime boss. After their teacher, Thorna, is shot by a criminal named Pasha, the girls are trapped in the basement. They eventually arm themselves with razor-edged pointe shoes and use dance positions as martial arts to fight off waves of attackers. During the chaos, the girls must navigate the internal dynamics of the group, including a selfish attempt by Princess to flee alone. The conflict culminates in a showdown with Devora and her associates, including the ruthless Lothar 'The Butcher' Marcovic. After a final confrontation where Devora sacrifices herself to allow the girls to escape a rigged building, the survivors reach Budapest. They perform their repertoire in blood-stained tutus in memory of their fallen teacher.
- Original title
- Ballerina Overdrive
- First release year
- 2026
- Runtime (minutes)
- 88
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Vicky Jewson
- Writers
- Kate Freund · writer
- Cast and characters
- Iris Apatow; Lana Condor; Millicent Simmonds; Avantika; Maddie Ziegler; Uma Thurman
- Genres
- action; thriller
- Themes
- sisterhood; survival; artistic dedication
- Tone and mood
- action-packed; tense
- Setting
- A performance art themed hotel in Budapest, Hungary.
- Premise and plot tags
- martial arts; ballet; survival
- Reception
- The film received mixed or average reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 51 · scale: 100 · review count: 15
- Awards and nominations
- Critics' Choice Super Award · Best Actress in an Action Movie · 2026 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The production was moved to Budapest in 2024.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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