Bloodbath: A Brutal Display with a Missing Edge

Ten years after fleeing her family, leaving her younger sister with their abusive father, Asia Reaves (portrayed by Zazie Beetz) arrives at The Virgil, an exclusive New York residential building for the wealthy and reclusive, to work as a cleaner.

The presence of a building manager named Lilith and a bronze relief of a giant, horned Satan above the front door hints at the mysterious nature of The Virgil.

The film, “They Will Kill You,” is not known for subtlety, as evidenced by the abundance of cloaked satanists in The Virgil who attack Asia upon her arrival, intending to use her as an unwitting blood offering.

However, Asia is not who she seems to be either, having recently been released from prison and using a stolen identity to search for her missing sister.

In a scene filled with arterial spray, Asia showcases her combat skills by dismembering her attackers, highlighting the film’s penchant for over-the-top gore and inventive camerawork.

Asia’s character, portrayed by Beetz, embodies an ass-kicking heroine akin to Tarantino’s style, complete with a sword as her weapon of choice.

Director Kirill Sokolov draws inspiration from Tarantino in styling the film with flourishes and foot cameos, although the dialogue and character development fall short.

Aside from Beetz, the supporting cast, including Myha’la and Patricia Arquette, lack substantial material to work with, hindering emotional depth in crucial scenes.

While the film offers entertainment in watching the cultist antagonists meet their demise, the lack of real scares or atmospheric tension diminishes the overall impact.

Warner Bros.

Despite moments of fun and creativity, the film’s length may feel excessive, overshadowing its positive aspects.

Should you watch They Will Kill You?

The film begins with the quote “When the poor give to the rich, the devil laughs,” hinting at potential satire that falls short, resulting in a focus on action and gore over meaningful commentary.

While horror enthusiasts may find the film lacking in originality, those averse to the genre might appreciate the absence of intense scares. Ultimately, Zazie Beetz’s performance stands out, followed closely by the sentient eyeball character.