Sometimes you walk into a movie knowing exactly what you’re getting. Other times you go in with almost no idea what the ride will look like. They Will Kill You falls squarely into that second category.
Before watching it, my understanding of the film was pretty minimal. The trailer mostly suggested that Zazie Beetz’s character was in serious trouble inside a mysterious building, and that was about it. That vague setup actually worked in the film’s favor. Going in with few expectations made the chaos that followed feel even more surprising.
One of the most satisfying parts of the experience is seeing Beetz step fully into a leading role. She has always been a compelling presence in supporting parts, but here she gets to carry the movie, and she does it with confidence. Her character, Asia Reaves, infiltrates a mysterious New York high-rise while searching for her missing sister, only to discover the building is home to a secretive and violent cult.
From that point on, the film wastes very little time throwing its protagonist into a relentless gauntlet of survival.
What might surprise some viewers is just how much gore the movie delivers. This isn’t subtle horror. It’s loud, splattery, and frequently outrageous. Limbs fly, blood sprays, and the violence often borders on cartoonish excess. That style is very intentional, and if you’re familiar with the work of director Kirill Sokolov, it becomes clear why the film feels the way it does. His previous work leaned heavily into extreme horror and kinetic action, and They Will Kill You follows that same philosophy.
In fact, it becomes obvious pretty quickly that this doesn’t feel like a traditionally American-directed movie. The pacing, the editing, and even the action choreography all have a different rhythm. The movie pulls from a wide mix of influences, from martial arts cinema to stylized action films and even anime-inspired visuals. Critics have even described parts of the film as feeling like “live-action anime,” thanks to its exaggerated action and hyper-stylized combat sequences.
All of that gives the movie a very specific tone. It’s undeniably campy, but it’s the kind of camp that leans into the absurdity rather than apologizing for it. The film often feels like it’s daring the audience to go along for the ride, and if you do, it can be a lot of fun.
Calling They Will Kill You a guilty pleasure almost undersells it. Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s wildly over-the-top. But the movie is also clearly aware of what it is and who it’s for. The blend of horror, gore, dark humor, and stylized action isn’t going to work for everyone, and it probably won’t appeal to mainstream audiences looking for a traditional horror film. But for viewers who appreciate chaotic genre mashups and unapologetic violence, there’s a certain charm in how fully the film commits to its madness.
In the end, They Will Kill You isn’t trying to be subtle, refined, or even particularly serious. It’s a blood-soaked, campy horror spectacle that thrives on its excess. If you’re willing to embrace its strange mix of influences and its unapologetic style, you might find yourself having a surprisingly good time along the way.