Highly stylized action films are not hard to come by nowadays, thanks largely to the popularity of films like John Wick (2014) and the massive franchise it spawned. Many have tried to replicate the success of this landmark film, and the blending of horror and action is a result of that. Action-horror films have always existed in some form, but they were largely popularized by films like Ready or Not (2019). Enter Russian filmmaker Kirill Sokolov, with a blank check from Hollywood and two Russian-language films already under his belt. They Will Kill You is an action-packed, exhilarating horror film that takes elements of the Evil Dead franchise, The Raid, and more and puts its own original spin on everything. 

The film’s premise is simple: A young woman (the incomparable Zazie Beetz) accepts an innocuous job as a maid in a lucrative New York high-rise, only to find herself pitted against a Satanic cult attempting to sacrifice her. From the initial teaser trailer, which focuses primarily on the film’s action, I was hooked. Beetz mowing down enemies in a leading role for the first time is more than enough to get me seated.

Despite some setbacks, They Will Kill You is a bloody riot. Sokolov has a knack for creative direction and attention to detail in action sequences. He takes what could have been an incredibly tired, derivative premise and elevates it with a style reminiscent of the 1970s. There are elements of his own dark comedic flair, with a major plot twist in the opening that must be seen to be believed. Sokolov is one to watch because of this film alone, even though his other film, Why Don’t You Just Die! (2018), put him on the radar.

The script, written by Sokolov and Alex Litvak, is a bit on the thin side. The pacing of the story was too quick, briefly exploring the floors of the building-turned-death-trap and moving on before you know it. Despite this, what we did get of the Virgil – the building’s name – is a sense of mystery. We are in the shoes of Asia Reaves (Beetz) as she is forced to fight her way up the high-rise without the option to explore. The script leaves much to be desired and may come across as too rushed, but on the other hand, it seems almost an important stylistic choice to focus only on what we see.

Beetz’s ability to command a scene and act with an intense ferocity makes her one of the most fundamental stars working today. They Will Kill You is a paramount moment for her career that will hopefully lead to more starring performances in action films. While she is most known for her work in Atlanta (2016-2022), she should be equally acknowledged for her contributions to the action genre. She was underutilized in 2018’s Deadpool 2 as Domino, but here she is given ample room to be angry, violent, and everything in between. As much as she tears it up, she has the equal ability to create significantly emotional moments as an actress, which balances her performance and adds depth. I hope this isn’t the only time we see Beetz leading an action film because this is something she was born to do. 

They Will Kill You is an incredibly fun and creative horror action flick that must be seen in a theater. Sokolov takes a basic premise that horror fans would typically know the beats of and elevates it with a clear eye for style. Topped with a kick-ass lead performance from Beetz and plenty of blood, it’s proof that original horror films can still subvert audience expectations.

Review Courtesy of Nadia Arain

Feature Image Credit to Warner Bros.