Action movie Pretty Lethal, lethal ballet with Uma Thurman and Iris Apatow

Pretty Lethal, the movie’s plot

Pretty Lethal is the action and thriller movie coming out. The story follows five young ballerinas who find themselves aboard a bus headed to a prestigious dance competition in Budapest. Just as they depart, their vehicle breaks down in a remote forest, forcing them to seek shelter in an isolated inn.

The inn is run by Devora Kasimer (Uma Thurman), a former prodigy ballerina: but the atmosphere becomes increasingly sinister, and soon the girls realize they are trapped in a lethal situation. They are thus forced to set aside their rivalries and transform years of training into survival tools.

“In every ballerina’s blood, beats the heart of a warrior” says the voiceover in the released trailer. “The Budapest showcase could change your life. Only the best dancers in the world are invited” the voice continues, as the students reach the Hungarian capital.

One of them cuts the sole of her dance shoe. “I was a ballerina. Years of dedication. Not everyone realizes their dreams” says Devora. Then she locks the girls in the school: “enough madness”. One of them has her dress stained with blood: “No one will come to save us” her friend declares. Then the ballerinas use their acrobatic abilities to strike their rivals.

Pretty Lethal, the movie’s cast

Uma Thurman recently acted in Red White & Royal Blue, The Old Guard 2, The Kill Room and in the TV series Dexter: Resurrection and Suspicion. Iris Apatow is also present in the role of Zoe, a soloist and strong leader of the ballet troupe: the actress gained visibility in the third season of Tell Me Lies, where she plays Amanda, a freshman who finds herself entangled in Professor Oliver’s web of manipulation.

The cast is completed by Lana Condor, star of Worth the Wait, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before; Maddie Ziegler, known for My Old Ass; Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds - already seen in A Quiet Place and who plays Chloe - Avantika - in the role of Grace.

The direction is by Vicky Jewson, who has already directed episodes of The Witcher: Blood Origin and the thriller Close with Noomi Rapace. For Pretty Lethal, Jewson stated she wanted to bring the “highly specific skills” of a ballerina into the action space.

Pretty Lethal, the movie’s production and filming

The production is by 87North Productions and Gulfstream Pictures. Amazon MGM Studios acquired worldwide distribution rights after negotiations concluded in September 2025, with a deal hovering around 11-12 million dollars.

Filming took place in Serbia in August 2024, then moved to Budapest, Hungary, and concluded in October 2024. During this phase, the cast participated in an intense “ballet boot camp” in the Hungarian capital, where each actress was paired with a dance double and a stunt double, under the supervision of choreographer Will Tuckett.

The movie, previously titledBallerina Overdrive, will make its world debut at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in March 2026, then arrive on Prime Video on March 25.