It has been almost 50 years since the era of 80s movies began and yet they are still around and impacting us today. In the horror genre, most of the beloved films are so because they have become cult classics. The love for these films still graces the world, spanning from Evil Dead (1982) to even something such as Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill (2003), and it continues to influence the future of filmmaking. Since 2024, the world has been ready and waiting to see favourite up and comer Zazie Beetz star as the lead in Kirill Sokolov and Alex Litvak’s co-written film They Will Kill You.
You can see the presence of so many past films in They Will Kill You. It comes across as such a director loving movies film, and in the best way possible. Sometimes you have too many stolen items that are not used in a fresh and fun new way. But with Sokolov and Litvak, they have taken their childhood favourites with a well-written original script and made a movie that could become a campy horror cult classic in the future.
They Will Kill You Is the Campy, Gruesome Ride You Need to See in Cinemas
A woman (Beetz) heads to a mysterious New York City high-rise building in response to a help-wanted housekeeping ad. Upon her arrival, things seem a bit too perfect as the lady in charge (Patricia Arquette) brings her up to speed with the job requirements. As the woman immerses herself into the building, dark revelations come to the surface. Soon realizing she is not safe as this community has lost a number of people over the years.
As a viewer you truly do not know what you have gotten yourself into by watching this film. The shock and horror factor is through the roof as the unveiling of Beetz’ character is mesmerizing. There is little you can say about the film without giving it away. They Will Killl You is most definitely Sokolov’s passion project. He made the movie he would have loved as a young boy and pulled it off brilliantly. By combining a stellar script, mainly due to the genius plot, with the action, horror, and gruesome sequences you could hope for, They Will Kill You will leave you wanting more.
Talk about star power. Beetz is everything you want her to be. If you watched the trailer, or have followed her past career up until this point, you have been expecting the best. Well, safe to say she delivers just that. She is powerful, strong and dare I say it, sexy. Thrown into the dangerous situation, her character is much more than one would originally expect. Then to a pleasant surprise, Arquette’s role is mischievous and wonderful. With an impeccable Irish accent, you cannot help but tremble at her presence. Though the rest of the cast are brilliant, it is Beetz, Arquette and young Myha’la who bring the strength and heart to the film.
As the camera winds its way through this eerie skyscraper, it becomes clear that the young woman must survive the trap the demonic cult has placed her in. The stylish camera movements truly keep the viewer invested in the film. Bringing us deeper into the building with the woman as she tries to escape the future the cult have planned for her. Beetz runs through halls, jumps through hoops, all the while whip pans are traversing us with her. Adding to the wild ride They Will Kill You takes you on, the minds behind the camera honestly make it all the more worth while. Even, as Sokolov said introducing the film, the music and sound is all too important. It is quite mesmerizing how each element transports the viewer deeper into the world, and into this building. Making us feel like we are there with the woman as she works her way through the chaos.
Filled with energy, covered in blood, this horror-action-comedy is a true cult classic waiting to bloom. They Will Kill You is a wonder. The less you know the better. It becomes such an adrenaline rush, while also filled with heart. Sokolov and Litvak know how to craft a piece of film made for the cult classic nerd. It has been created for a specific viewer, but resonates with many more. Beyond the talent of the filmmakers, the combination of that with the ability of its cast, They Will Kill You transports you away from your theatre seat and into a blood-fest.
Grade: B+
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They Will Kill You
A woman answers a help wanted ad to be a housekeeper in a mysterious high-rise in New York City, not realizing she is entering a community that has seen a number of disappearances over the years and may be under the grip of a Satanic cult.
