SXSW 2026 Adds Bloody Ballerina Thriller ‘Pretty Lethal’
SXSW unveiled the remainder of its features lineup including the world premiere for Vicky Jewson’s UK action thriller Pretty Lethal, formerly known as Ballerina Overdrive. The festival runs March 12-18 in Austin, Texas where Pretty Lethal screens in the 33rd edition’s Headliners section before streaming on Prime Video March 25.
The film follows five ballerinas on their way to a prestigious dance competition who are barely on speaking terms when their bus breaks down in a remote forest. With no other options, they reluctantly seek shelter at an unsettling roadside inn run by Devora Kasimer (Thurman), a reclusive former ballet prodigy.
From the moment they arrive, something feels wrong — and their worst instincts prove right. As the situation turns deadly, the fractured team must set aside rivalries and weaponize years of brutal training, turning grace, discipline, and even pointe shoes into tools for survival.
Iris Apatow (This Is 40), Lana Condor (X-Men: Apocalypse), Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place), Avantika (Tarot), and Maddie Ziegler (My Old Ass) also star. Michael Culkin (Candyman) and Lydia Leonard (“The Crown”) round out the cast.
Vicky Jewson (“The Witcher: Blood Origin”) directs from a script by Kate Freund.
“In Pretty Lethal, I wanted to bring the highly specific skillset of a ballerina to the action space,” said Jewson. “We created a world built on the broken dreams of a dancer, played by the iconic Uma Thurman. This world and our incredible young cast gave me the freedom to swing between horror, comedy and action to create a breathless rollercoaster ride. The troupe embraces team work, sisterhood and ballet-fu in order to stay alive.”
Kelly McCormick (Bullet Train, Violent Night) produces alongside Mike Karz, William Bindley, and Piers Tempest.
Sources: Screendaily, BloodyDisgusting