Sometimes, it’s often better to go into a film completely blind and have no idea what you’re in for. Yet, I couldn’t help but see They Will Kill You after all the word it received following its premiere at this year’s SXSW. The trailers provided the simple concept: an all-out, no-holds-barred gorefest with Zazie Beetz fighting against her hunters. I’ll admit, those trailers did reel me in since not only did it look like it’d be a fun time, but also because Andy and Barbara Muschietti were behind this film. However, after taking some time to sit with it, They Will Kill You turns out to be a heavily inspired action-comedy that pulls on many films, both new and old.
They Will Kill You follows Asia Reeves (Beetz), an ex-convict who’s trying to reunite with her younger sister, Maria (Myha’la). Her search eventually leads her to a hotel called the Virgil, a New York City mainstay for the rich and elite. Asia manages to take up a job as a hotel maid, but when she discovers that the owners of the Virgil are part of a satanic cult, Asia must do what she can to rescue Maria before it’s too late. Oh yeah: the owners are also immortal and can’t be killed. What fun!
Despite the supernatural elements of it all, it definitely feels like director Kirill Sokolov was heavily inspired by a lot of films to create this story. Specifically, Kill Bill seems like the biggest inspiration, given how both films are focused on reunion-rescue narratives, which is made clear from the opening scene. Similarly to how that film opened on a tragic event that led to that story playing out, so too does They Will Kill You with Asia and Maria’s abusive dad trying to get them back. Much like how one can think there’s hope for something good to happen, it all falls apart when Asia’s forced to leave her sister behind in order to find help.
It also feels like They Will Kill You’s story about sisterhood has familiar undertones to that of Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come. When the film reveals that Maria has accepted her place in the Virgil’s system and doesn’t want Asia to get involved, it somewhat mirrors that hesitancy that Grace had with Faith. Both protagonists want to find a way to get themselves, and those they care about, out of the capitalistic system that’s manipulated them. To add onto these comparisons, both films also employ the tropes of overly religious cults and the ghastly element of it all. That said, Sokolov takes it a bit further with the supernatural magic with that entirely bonkers third act.
However, there’s also a much deeper thematic core to this film, that being the manipulation and abuse of the class system. Maria’s acceptance of her place in the system signifies that when all else is lost, the only thing you can rely on is the system, the same one that will take advantage of you. Yet, Asia’s determination to free her sisters shows that resistance to the “pure” governing force and its through that determination where ingenuity shines. The performances of Beetz and Patricia Arquette, the Virgil’s superintendent, really emphasize these ideas, but for only so much. It does feel like there’s a much more complex story about abuse and perseverance to be explored, but Sokolov and his team mostly play the narrative straightforwardly.
The most unique aspect of They Will Kill You has to be the comedy. Arquette, alongside Tom Felton and Heather Graham, who play the Virgil’s underlings, have some off-handed, dark humor about hunting Asia that’s somewhat funny to watch. However, most of the humor works through the absurdly physical comedy. One of the recurring jokes is in the second act, when that eyeball is rolling around in the vent system as if it had a life of its own. It leads to some hilarious moments in that part of the film, but that section is pretty much the only time when the comedy works.
They Will Kill You is a deeply inspired, yet hilariously off-beat, action-slasher. Zazie Beetz and Patricia Arquette absolutely carry this film on their backs with their engrossing performances.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
They Will Kill You releases in theaters on March 27.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.