They Will Kill You stars Zazie Beetz as Asia Reaves, a woman trying to move on from her troubled past. Out of work and looking for a fresh start, she answers a cryptic ad for a housekeeping job at a wealthy New York City high-rise. But once she arrives, it becomes clear that something is very wrong with both the building and the people who live there. Several residents have been missing for decades, and before she knows it, Asia finds herself caught in the middle of a satanic cult. Now, survival is her only option if she wants to make it out alive.
I love it when a movie surprises me. I walked into They Will Kill You, not really knowing what to expect, and walked out with a massive smile on my face. This is the kind of movie that knows exactly what it is and fully commits to it. Co-writer and director Kirill Sokolov feels like a filmmaker who genuinely loves movies, and it shows in every frame. What he delivers here is a wildly entertaining blend of action, comedy, and horror, with just enough mystery sprinkled in. The mix of genres works incredibly well, turning the movie into a full-on amusement park ride with constant twists and turns.
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At times, They Will Kill You feels like what you might expect if a Quentin Tarantino film had a baby with a Sam Raimi film. It leans heavily into horror, features some wildly fun, kung fu-inspired fight sequences, and even carries a bit of that blaxploitation energy from the 70s and 80s. The script, co-written by Sokolov and Alex Litvak, keeps things simple and never overcomplicates the premise. It knows the concept is ridiculous and asks the audience to go along for the ride. And honestly, that’s the best way to watch this. To give you an idea of how bonkers this movie is, there’s an eyeball that travels through the vents and basically tracks Asia throughout the building. That should tell you everything you need to know. This movie is made to be fun, chaotic, and entertaining, and it absolutely delivers. I had a blast watching it, especially with all the references to films like Evil Dead and Kill Bill. It kept me engaged from start to finish.
I’ve always liked Zazie Beetz, but this is one of those performances where she fully takes command of the screen. She has such a strong, dynamic presence, and I was locked into her character almost immediately. The movie gives you just enough backstory before throwing her into the chaos, and from that point on, you’re completely with her as she hopes to escape. Beetz is an absolute badass here. You can tell she trained for months to pull off all the film’s incredible fight sequences. About 75% of the movie is her kicking ass, and each set piece somehow tops the last. It’s a full-on action-packed ride, and she’s the driving force behind why it works so well.
The supporting cast, which includes Myha’la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette, all clearly understood the assignment and look like they’re having an absolute blast. Each actor brings their own distinct energy to their role, and what I appreciated most is that Felton, Graham, and Arquette don’t just play standard villains. They each add something a little more fun and memorable. Heather Graham, in particular, really stood out to me. She hasn’t had many opportunities to do something like this, and she proves here that she should be in more movies. I’d love to see her get more roles similar to this in the near future. I also have to shout out Myha’la, whose character Maria serves as the emotional backbone of the story. As fun as it is to watch all the chaos unfold, she grounds the film in a way that gives the audience a real reason to care and root for Asia.
It also needs to be said that the below-the-line work here is seriously impressive, especially for a genre film, which often gets overlooked in these areas. The production design and practical effects teams deserve a ton of credit. The high-rise itself feels alive and becomes a character in its own right. And the use of practical effects is fantastic. You can see the craftsmanship in every sequence, and it adds a level of texture and authenticity that CGI can’t replicate.
The stunt team also deserves some praise. The fight choreography is outstanding, and there’s a lot of it. As I mentioned earlier, this is a very action-heavy film, but what makes it work is that each sequence feels distinct and builds in scale and intensity. It never feels repetitive, which adds to the film’s fun.
Long story short, They Will Kill You absolutely rules. It’s a bloody blast from start to finish and the kind of movie that knows exactly what it is and fully commits to it. It’s completely batshit crazy, and everyone involved is all in. Zazie Beetz proves she’s not only a total badass but more than capable of carrying an entire film on her shoulders. This was a perfect way to close out SXSW 2026, and I have a feeling it’s going to develop a strong cult following once it hits audiences later this month.
They Will Kill You opens on March 27, 2026.
