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Action thriller

Pretty Lethal (2026): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Pretty Lethal (2026) movie poster

Pretty Lethal is a 2026 action thriller directed by Vicky Jewson, starring Uma Thurman as Devora Kasimer, Maddie Ziegler and Lana Condor. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
59%
Echo Score
52
Metascore
51
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Pretty Lethal (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Vicky Jewson
Genres
Action , Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
87North
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pretty Lethal About?

The premise of Pretty Lethal without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Five rival ballerinas traveling to a prestigious competition are forced to cooperate when their bus breaks down in a remote forest. With no other refuge, they seek shelter at a creepy roadside inn run by Devora Kasimer (Uma Thurman), a reclusive former ballet prodigy. From the moment they step inside, an unsettling tension rises, suggesting the inn hides dark secrets.

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Cast & crew

Pretty Lethal Cast & Characters

Uma Thurman leads the cast as Devora Kasimer, with Maddie Ziegler as Bones and Lana Condor as Princess. Directed by Vicky Jewson; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Vicky Jewson

More films directed by Vicky Jewson: Close and Born Of War.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pretty Lethal Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pretty Lethal 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in character & emotion (30).

52 /100

Pretty Lethal Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Pretty Lethal delivers a visually engaging action premise but struggles with narrative cohesion and character depth. Critics highlight the film's energetic choreography and occasional striking visuals, yet repeatedly note a thin script and confusing plot structure. User feedback mirrors this split, with some enjoying the high‑concept blend of dance and combat, while others criticize the acting and pacing. The net impression is a mixed‑midrange offering that entertains in bursts but fails to sustain lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases inventive choreography and a distinctive visual style. Critics acknowledge graceful fight sequences and a few standout images, and users commend the baroque ballet aesthetic and competent direction. However, the overall execution is described as uneven, preventing the visual strengths from fully compensating for other shortcomings. The artistic component therefore lands in the upper‑mid range, reflecting solid but not flawless craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When evaluating character and emotional depth, both critics and users point to underdeveloped roles and poor performances. Reviews repeatedly mention lack of chemistry and flat acting, with several users labeling the acting as terrible. Although a few audience members enjoy particular performers, the dominant sentiment is that characters remain static and unengaging. This results in a low score for the character aspect.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow receive largely negative feedback. Critics criticize the script for running out of fresh ideas, abrupt act transitions, and a confusing plot, while users describe the pacing as boring and the narrative as lacking coherence. A minority note the film's unique premise, yet the prevailing view is that the story fails to sustain interest. Consequently, the story aspect scores in the lower range.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience, encompassing soundtrack and visual cohesion, garners moderate praise. Reviewers commend the thrilling choreography, striking images, and a kitschy, baroque ballet atmosphere that adds novelty. While sound design is not heavily discussed, the overall sensory impression is positive enough to offset narrative flaws. This yields a solid mid‑high rating for the sensory dimension.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor reflects a divided audience. Some users express a desire to view the film again, citing its fun action and unexpected comedic moments, whereas critics label it largely forgettable. The mixed signals result in a moderate score, indicating that the film may appeal on repeat viewings to a niche segment but lacks broad replay value.

Plot

Pretty Lethal Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Pretty Lethal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Los Angeles, a close-knit ballet troupe centers on Bones, Maddie Ziegler a principal dancer who leads with discipline and poise, alongside Princess, Lana Condor a brash socialite with grand ambitions; Grace, Avantika a deeply religious presence; Zoe, Iris Apatow whose warmth anchors the group; and Chloe, Millicent Simmonds whose hearing impairment adds another layer of resilience to the ensemble. Under the stern but guiding eye of their teacher Thorna Devonport, Lydia Leonard, the troupe earns an invitation to a prestigious international competition in Budapest. The invitation promises a chance to showcase their artistry on a global stage, but the journey there quickly spirals into a maze of misfortune, miscommunication, and danger that tests their unity and courage.

Full summary

The whole story of Pretty Lethal, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Pretty Lethal Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette SXSW Announcement
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pretty Lethal?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
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  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which city does the ballet troupe's journey begin?

Seen Pretty Lethal?

FAQ

Pretty Lethal FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Pretty Lethal, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pretty Lethal?

Pretty Lethal runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was Pretty Lethal released?

Pretty Lethal was released on March 25, 2026.

Who directed Pretty Lethal?

Pretty Lethal was directed by Vicky Jewson.

More films by Vicky Jewson

Who is in the cast of Pretty Lethal?

Pretty Lethal stars Uma Thurman as Devora Kasimer, Maddie Ziegler as Bones and Lana Condor as Princess, among 20 credited actors.

How is Pretty Lethal rated?

Pretty Lethal has 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Pretty Lethal have a post-credit scene?

No. Pretty Lethal has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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