The premise is simple enough: a woman seeking vengeance infiltrates a clandestine, upscale world to rescue a loved one. But Kirill Sokolov’s “They Will Kill You” quickly devolves from a potentially thrilling action film into a visually frenetic, conceptually exhausting exercise in style over substance. The film, starring Zazie Beetz, initially promises a darkly satisfying ride, but ultimately feels like a collection of borrowed ideas and diminishing returns, leaving audiences with little more than a headache and a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Beetz plays Asia Reaves, a woman haunted by a past trauma. The film opens with a harrowing escape from an abusive father, a scene that leaves her separated from her younger sister, Maria. Ten years later, Asia resurfaces as a newly hired maid at The Virgil, a luxurious Manhattan hotel that, as the name subtly suggests – referencing the Roman poet Virgil’s role as a guide through Hell in Dante’s “Inferno” – harbors a sinister secret. The hotel’s opulent interiors are deliberately juxtaposed with overtly satanic décor, immediately establishing a sense of unease and impending danger.
The initial action sequence is undeniably striking. Welcomed by the enigmatic hotel manager Lily (Patricia Arquette, whose performance is hampered by a distracting and inconsistent Irish accent), Asia’s first night quickly descends into chaos. A group of cultists, masked and menacing, attempt to attack her, only to be met with a brutal and inventive counterattack. Sokolov employs a barrage of stylistic flourishes – crash zooms, stylized blood sprays, and a score reminiscent of Spaghetti Westerns – creating a visually arresting introduction. Still, the film’s central conceit – the villains’ ability to magically recover from seemingly fatal wounds – is introduced almost immediately, and it’s here that the film begins to unravel.
The Problem with Immortality
The supernatural element, while theoretically intriguing, fundamentally undermines the tension, and stakes. Limbs are severed, bodies are torn apart, only to snap back together moments later. This effectively neuters the impact of the violence, turning what should be visceral confrontations into a series of increasingly repetitive and ultimately meaningless skirmishes. As Asia’s quest to find and rescue her now-adult sister, Maria (played by Myha’la), progresses, the lack of genuine consequence diminishes the emotional weight of her actions. The film’s geography remains frustratingly vague, and the action sequences, while energetic, lack a clear objective beyond the spectacle of carnage.
Echoes of Influences Past
Sokolov doesn’t shy away from acknowledging his influences. The film wears its inspirations on its sleeve, most notably Timur Bekmambetov, known for his hyperkinetic action style in films like “Wanted,” and Quentin Tarantino. Sokolov’s previous feature, “Why Don’t You Just Die!” also drew comparisons to Tarantino’s work, according to Bloody Disgusting. However, where Tarantino masterfully blends homage with originality, creating something uniquely his own – as seen in the meticulously crafted revenge saga of “Kill Bill” – Sokolov largely relies on surface-level imitation. He borrows imagery and tropes from films like Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy,” Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” series, and even the visually dynamic action films of Telugu director S.S. Rajamouli, but these elements sense disconnected and lack the thematic depth of their sources.
A Glimmer of Innovation Lost in the Chaos
Despite its flaws, “They Will Kill You” isn’t entirely without merit. Sokolov demonstrates a willingness to experiment with visual language. He employs a distorted, wide-angle lens to create a sense of disorientation and claustrophobia, and stages action sequences with a balletic fluidity. There are moments of genuine ingenuity, such as a chase scene involving a disembodied, animatronic eye reminiscent of a sequence from Pixar’s “Toy Story 3,” where the perspective shifts to that of the pursuer. These flashes of creativity suggest a more compelling film lurking beneath the surface, one where the action choreography is more purposeful and the actors’ movements are dictated by a clear dramatic rhythm.
Thematic Undertones Remain Unexplored
The film attempts to touch upon themes of class and race, with the hotel’s predominantly non-white staff contrasted against the wealthy, Caucasian villains. However, these ideas remain largely underdeveloped, feeling more like obligatory gestures than genuine explorations of social commentary. Asia’s motivations, beyond rescuing her sister, are also frustratingly thin. We learn she honed her fighting skills in prison, driven by a desire to atone for abandoning Maria, but this backstory feels underdeveloped and fails to provide a strong emotional core for her relentless pursuit of vengeance.
Zazie Beetz delivers a committed performance as the stoic and resourceful Asia, and her physicality is impressive. However, even her best efforts can’t salvage a narrative that lacks emotional resonance and thematic depth. The villains, portrayed by recognizable faces like Heather Graham and Tom Felton, are largely one-dimensional, lacking the personality or menace needed to make Asia’s retribution truly satisfying. “They Will Kill You” promises a fiery revenge fantasy but delivers only a frustratingly hollow spectacle. The film’s relentless action, robbed of stakes by its supernatural premise, and its derivative stylistic choices, leave audiences feeling exhausted rather than exhilarated. By the film’s conclusion, the only thing truly extinguished is the viewer’s patience.
As of November 17, 2023, “They Will Kill You” is available for streaming on Shudder. The film’s reception has been mixed, with critics noting its visual flair but lamenting its lack of substance. Further discussion and analysis of the film are likely to emerge as audiences continue to engage with its provocative, if ultimately flawed, vision.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at https://www.thehotline.org/.
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