They Will Kill You: A Bloodsoaked Satire of Wealth and Violence At the end of its chaotic, gory spectacle, a disbelieving detective confronts a survivor who mutters only two words: “Rich people.” This blunt, almost comically brief social critique is the extent of the commentary in They Will Kill You, an action-horror-comedy set in a Manhattan luxury building where Satan-worshipping tenants ritualistically murder their poor, marginalized staff. Writer-director Kirill Sokolov and co-writer Alex Litvak lean into the absurdity of their premise, delivering a film that thrives on over-the-top violence and stylistic flair, even if its deeper themes remain underexplored. The film’s plot centers on Asia (Zazie Beetz), a maid who infiltrates the exclusive Virgil apartments under false pretenses to rescue her estranged sister, Maria. Armed with an arsenal of weapons and a fierce fighting spirit honed in prison, Asia confronts the building’s wealthy residents, who have struck a literal deal with the Devil. The residents, clad in robes and masks, are more than willing to defend their privilege, aided by supernatural powers that tip the balance in their favor. The film’s opening sequence, in which Asia slices off a Satanist’s head with a sword in a closet, sets the tone for a series of increasingly grotesque set pieces. Sokolov’s direction leans into the film’s gonzo style, with slow-motion shots of furniture shattering, mattress stuffing raining down like snow, and Asia wielding flaming axes to set enemies ablaze. The action sequences are frenetic and stylish, blending horror, comedy, and over-the-top violence into a spectacle that prioritizes spectacle over substance.#heather_graham #tom_felton #zazie_beetz #kirill_sokolov #alex_litvak
They Will Kill You Review: Zazie Beetz Saves Sister From Satanic Cult The world premiere of They Will Kill You at SXSW 2026 marked the festival’s closing night with a visceral blend of action, horror, and dark humor, centered on the fraught relationship between two sisters entangled in a satanic cult. Directed by Kirill Sokolov and co-written with Alex Litvak, the film follows Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz), a maid working at The Virgil, a centuries-old New York City apartment building occupied by the city’s elite. Her seemingly mundane job masks a deeper mission: to locate her estranged younger sister, Maria (Myha’la), whom she abandoned a decade earlier after their abusive father’s violence drove them apart. The plot thickens when Asia discovers the building’s grim history of missing domestic staff, leading her to uncover a sinister cult plot to sacrifice her to Satan in exchange for immortality. Armed with a arsenal of weapons and unyielding resolve, Asia confronts the cult’s members, a group of wealthy tenants including Kevin (Tom Felton) and Sharon (Heather Graham), whose unhinged performances add to the film’s chaotic energy. The story intertwines physical combat with emotional stakes, as the sisters’ bond becomes the driving force behind Asia’s quest to save Maria. Sokolov’s direction leans into genre tropes, blending samurai-inspired sword fights, shoot-em-up sequences, and over-the-top gore, with blood splattering dramatically across the screen and creative use of visceral effects. The film’s tone balances brutality with dark humor, reflecting its satirical take on wealth and power. Zazie Beetz delivers a standout performance, embodying both the physicality of a warrior and the emotional vulnerability of a sister seeking redemption.#sxsw_2026 #zazie_beetz #kirill_sokolov #myha_la #alex_litvak
