The official trailer for Pretty Lethal has been released ahead of its world premiere at SXSW, introducing a survival thriller that blends ballet and action.
Directed by Vicky Jewson, the film stars Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor and Uma Thurman, and is scheduled to stream globally on Prime Video beginning March 25, 2026.
Pretty Lethal follows five young ballerinas traveling to a prestigious dance competition when their bus breaks down in a remote forest. Seeking shelter, they arrive at a secluded roadside inn run by Devora Kasimer, a mysterious former ballet prodigy portrayed by Uma Thurman. As tensions escalate, the dancers must rely on their elite ballet training to survive a deadly situation.
The film’s concept centers on transforming ballet discipline and precision into combat-style survival tactics, a theme director Vicky Jewson has described as bringing a ballerina’s “highly specific skillset” into the action genre. The story combines elements of horror, comedy and thriller, positioning itself as a stylized genre hybrid.
The ensemble cast also includes Iris Apatow, Avantika and Millicent Simmonds, with supporting roles from Michael Culkin and Lydia Leonard. The screenplay was written by Kate Freund. Producers include Kelly McCormick, Mike Karz, William Bindley and Piers Tempest. The score is composed by Paul Leonard-Morgan, with cinematography by Bridger Nielson.
With its contained setting, young ensemble cast and the “ballet-fu” action concept, Pretty Lethal aims to stand out in the 2026 thriller lineup. The film will debut at SXSW before its global streaming release on Prime Video later in March.
The film was first announced as Ballerina Overdrive in February 2023, with Vicky Jewson set to direct and Lena Headey, Yara Shahidi, Isabela Merced, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds and Iris Apatow cast to star. Filming was expected to occur in Serbia in the spring of 2023.
Production was delayed to August 2024, commencing in Budapest, with Headey, Shahidi and Merced having exited the film. Maddie Ziegler, Avantika and Uma Thurman were added to the cast in their place. Filming concluded in October. The film was later retitled Pretty Lethal.
In November 2024, it was revealed that international sales agent The Veterans had sold all international distribution rights to Amazon MGM Studios. In September 2025, Amazon MGM was reported to be nearing a deal for U.S. distribution rights for $11-12 million, giving them worldwide rights to the film.
It will premiere at the 2026 SXSW Festival on March 13, 2026, and it will be released on Amazon Prime Video on March 25, 2026.
