They Will Kill You

Brutally camp and controlled in its framing to amplify that feeling of unease, They Will Kill You is an action-packed bloodfest featuring Zazie Beetz as the highly competent final girl, Asia Reaves. Initially seeming like a slasher, with its penchant for masks in the early parts of the picture and its extreme violence, the film descends into religious chaos by its second act, with the foundation that once made it interesting starting to fall apart. Still, what They Will Kill You lacks in substance, it makes up for in style and aesthetics, with its onomatopoeic sound design and visually stimulating use of patterns and symmetry. The feature follows Asia on a mission to avenge her sister, from whom she was separated after a heated confrontation with their abusive father. Fresh out of prison and posing as a maid in The Virgil, Asia becomes entangled in Satanic secrets and becomes prey.

The characters’ stories are oversimplified, presented through a series of interweaving narratives with flashy title cards and time stamps. This method of presentation, while highly engaging, does not encourage investment in these individuals, their sob stories becoming accessories to the gore and mystery of the piece. Beetz is charismatic as Asia, making it easy to root for her in the heat of battle. But her overall motivation is weak: the family aspect suffers from a lack of development, and the decade-long gap sees changes in her that cannot be easily justified by the quick succession of flashbacks played for comedic effect or as exposition. The disconnect between Asia and her sister Maria renders the final sequence of events – which heavily relies on that family dynamic and emotional pull – somewhat flat and undeserved. Even the symbolism of the birds and cages, a metaphor for the feeling of being trapped in an awful situation, is treated as an afterthought in the grand scheme of They Will Kill You.

The rest of the ensemble is an amusing bunch, adding humour and entertainment. Tom Felton, Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette, in particular, are standout figures, supporting Beetz in the comedic moments while also providing menacing figures to stand against. Arquette’s role as Lily Woodhouse adds some nuance to the typical Satanic ritual plot, with her complex and deep love for Ray (Joseph Patterson) clashing with her desire for immortality and immense loyalty to the cult. Still, she ultimately falls victim to an over-the-top third act and a nonsensical finish.

Overall, They Will Kill You boasts a lethal soundtrack and abstract visuals expressed through cinematographic pans and symmetrical framing. The gruesome display of blood and multiple death sequences has a cartoon-esque execution that induces shock, laughter and excitement. These small bursts of enjoyment do not make up for the lacklustre story and uninteresting character arcs. At the very least, the cast has incredible chemistry, bouncing off each other, creating a magnetic atmosphere that will hold the viewer’s attention until the very end.

Mae Trumata

They Will Kill You is released nationwide on 27^th March 2026.

Watch the trailer for They Will Kill You here: