A total gorefest, yet absolutely entertaining, this is how to describe the new action-thriller-comedy, “They Will Kill You.”
“They Will Kill You” throws you headfirst into the Virgil, a twisted, demonic lair where a young woman must survive the night or become the cult’s next offering. What follows is a relentless, big-screen battle of epic kills, inventive stunts and wickedly dark humor.
Zazie Beetz leads the cast with intensity as Asia Reeves, performing most of her own stunts, including sequences with real fire, while Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette all add depth and flair to the chaos.
Each fight feels unique, ranging from samurai-inspired swordplay to spaghetti western–style brutality, with the camera almost acting as a character itself.
The fight sequences in the dining hall deliver a brutal, next-level visual.
To reiterate, the film is visually stunning. Director Kirill Sokolov and DP Isaac Bauman craft a 1990s-inspired look, using vivid colors, spherical Panavision lenses and strong backlighting to give each room of the Virgil its own identity. The film was set in New York but shot in Cape Town, South Africa. It is produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti.
The production design is meticulous, each floor themed after a circle of Dante’s Inferno, from Limbo to Lust to Gluttony, and practical effects like feathers, rain, snow and even a rogue eyeball elevate the world-building. Costume and prop design are equally impressive, with cult robes, machetes and fire-retardant fabrics thoughtfully realized.
Yes, the gore is relentless, but the film’s creativity, visual flair, and darkly playful energy make it a thrilling ride. “They Will Kill You” isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you love inventive horror with nonstop action, it’s a wild and fun movie viewing experience.
“They Will Kill You,” from New Line Cinema and Nocturna, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures open in cinemas nationwide today, March 25. It will hit theaters in North America on March 27.
—With Rosette Adel