Review by Chris Rennirt
Picture this: Zazie Beetz–barefoot, buff, toned, and sweaty, with an afro picked to the max–dismembering, decapitating, impaling, and pummeling more demonic forces than seems humanly possible, all in just 90 minutes. Zazie (as Asia Reaves in They Will Kill You) is an ass-kicking Afro-Samurai sensation, agile and deadly enough to make a ninja green with envy. Even jaded lovers of satanic-cult horror who think they’ve seen everything will see something new with this one! And what’s more is carnage candy galore, with Zazie as a one-woman army! Yummy!
If you were already thinking that I love They Will Kill You (and Zazie Beetz just as much), you were right! Known for her standout performance in Deadpool 2 (as Domino), Zazie is a woman as naturally beautiful as she is distinct with talent. With her trademark teased-out afro and quirky personality, she commands attention easily, anywhere. With her onscreen energy, she’s exhausting just to watch. According to IMDb, Patricia Arquette (another cast member) praised Zazie Beetz’s stamina and commitment, describing her performance as a “constant marathon throughout production.” While I often say that a movie couldn’t have been a success without a certain actor, I’m saying it again here…and meaning it more than ever. Once Zazie begins (as Asia), with self-defense in overdrive and an attitude to match, you will see her perfection. While other actors could have been replaced without a loss, not Zazie! Without her, I could never have written such a favorable review. Without her, I might not have even written a review at all. Yes, something has to motivate me as a writer. And Zazie is a muse for anyone!
Aside from muses, what’s the movie about? As the story begins, Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz) and her younger sister Maria (Myha’la) are on the run, fleeing from their abusive father who’s in hot pursuit. After being separated from Maria (and other tragic events), Asia is determined, years later, to find her sister. A quest to make up for abandoning Maria turns into a supernatural, reality-altering experience unlike anything Asia (or moviegoers) could ever imagine. Within the storied halls of The Virgil–an exclusive, century‑old Manhattan tower inhabited by the wealthy and elite–the fun begins…and the devil’s work is never done! According to IMDb, Director and co-writer Kirill Sokolov said the idea for the film originated after he and his wife moved into a large apartment building and jokingly imagined that all of their neighbors belonged to a cult. Seeing Rosemary’s Baby is said to have later helped shape the concept. I can certainly see this!
They Will Kill You is a film that never shies away from the gore. Blood sprays, as if from a water hose, out of decapitated necks, legs, and other members, with ultra-gory surrealism but visceral effectiveness, nonetheless. What appears to be mostly practical effects are combined with CGI, creating convincing carnage, even though our minds know better. The result is surrealism over realism, perfectly fitting the movie’s tone and premise–satanic disciples who come back to life once killed, regenerating lost body parts, all with a sense of humor! With that, there’s a body count that’s endless, and things just got a lot more difficult! Awesome!
Is They Will Kill You effective as a dark comedy on top of all else? While senses of humor vary, of course, I laughed on cue every time. A cute and memorable scene with a disembodied eyeball takes humor to its limits, reminding me of another cult favorite, Re-Animator. And the finale with Satan himself creates a new classic pig scene in horror/comedy. While all could fall flat with some viewers, it didn’t with me. It all works like a well-oiled machine [of a movie].
Speaking of Zazie Beetz being barefoot from damn-near beginning to end, They Will Kill You is a movie (with a director) that loves feet! From the first moment we see Zazie’s unshod peds, she’s in bed, and the camera is up close and personal for the details–soles, toes, and all. Lingering on her feet, longer than necessary, with frequent and sudden shots of her feet, as she walks are more than pretentious. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Quentin Tarantino himself directed this one; and, for sure, this is Quentin’s kind of movie! (Just think about the prevalence of bare feet, up close and in your face, in every movie Tarantino’s ever made, and you’ll know what I mean.) Yes! Not only is They Will Kill You a home run of an action/horror/comedy trifecta, it’s also a slam dunk favorite for anyone with a foot fetish! And if you’re a fan of Zazie Beetz, it’s gold mine exponentially! (As for the 4K on physical media, the transfer is awesome; I have it!)
But does the focus on feet do more than satisfy a fetish? Certainly! Focus on Zazie barefoot really adds to her primal, untamed nature and formidable kick-ass prowess. As an apex predator with no need for shoes, she’s the antithesis of a damsel in distress and the opposite of anything expected by anyone–movie goers as much as the movie characters. Zazie (as Asia Reaves) can walk and fight through any peril, even with the soles of her feet bare–an area sensitive and vulnerable for many. As a human superhero, she’s the ultimate, even more so barefoot!
Speaking of Quentin Tarantino, I’ll add another: Sam Raimi. It’s as if Tarantino and Raimi paired up to make a Kill Bill—Evil Dead mash up. But while that’s a great compliment, and ever so true. One important thing is for sure. They Will Kill You, despite being reminiscent of others before it, is definitely its own thing. Yes, we’ve all seen movies where an unexpectedly badass final girl is hunted by Satan-worshipping murderers keeping a pact with the devil. I’m already thinking of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, released in March of the same year. But what we’ve never seen is a movie quite like They Will Kill You! Even with a list of derivative movies before it, this film’s story is unique; and Zazie Beetz is the bomb, setting off an explosion of energy, ruthless self-defense, and limitless badassery unlike anything before. Without her, They Will Kill You might have been a box-office bomb, rather than “the bomb.”
They Will Kill You is deftly directed by Kirill Sokolov, with a cast of veteran actors who go beyond the movie’s minimum requirements. Patricia Arquette, with the largest secondary role, makes her character (Lily Woodhouse) stand out more than the script may have intended. Heather Graham does the same in her role as Sharon, making the best of an interesting character left undeveloped by the writers. Paterson Joseph (as Ray Woodhouse), Tom Felton (as Kevin), Angus Sampson (as the P.I.), Orefile Moloi (as the young Maria), and James Remar (as the voice of the “The Pig’s Head”) top the list of the film’s additional cast.
And lastly, but most pointedly (no pun intended), there is a scene so subtly overt–and captivating depending on your orientation–that I must mention it. When Asia first enters The Virgil on a cold and stormy night, freshly wet from a downpour, the lack of a bra and the temperature cause things to, shall we say, stand out. It’s as if they are saying, “Hello, we’re here! Take a look!” At a moment when such a thing should be the farthest from focus, it’s stealing the show. Lily Woodhouse, in puritanical clothing, with a collar wrapped around her neck, devoid of femininity, next to Asia, is obvious and purposeful. At this moment, in a sort of metaphorical way, realized in retrospect, Asia’s carnal, visceral, clearly female presence is a stark contrast to Lily and all else that’s essentially dead. Asia–natural, aroused by her environment, with a true mortal pulse–is the opposite of everything around her possessed by the supernatural, in a twisted form of immortality. And never before, perhaps, in the history of horror cinema have a pair of nipples (yes, nipples!) been more poetic, with deeper, literary meaning! And with that, thanks to me, They Will Kill You is arguably more than just mindless fun. There’s something else to it after all. And to the writers, who may not have planned such lofty comparisons, I say, “You’re welcome!” For those who say, “Bullshit! It’s all just coincidence,” I ask, “How else do such circumstances come together so perfectly?”
Beyond the nipples, do questions remain? Of course! Will Asia succeed in being an ass-kicking final girl, despite her limb (and head) sprouting foes? Will Asia find Maria, and will Maria forgive Asia for abandoning her years ago? Will Maria still be the innocent girl she was? Will Asia sell her soul to the devil to win? Or will her bad-ass afro and Samurai skills save the day instead? And will Asia ever wear shoes again, and will she be barefoot again in a sequel? Quentin Tarantino take notice!
Is They Will Kill You realistic beyond its opening realities, familial abuse, and attempts to escape, sadly all too common in the real world? No, but who cares? Even if suspension of disbelief isn’t possible afterwards, even for a second, it isn’t necessary. Does They Will Kill You give us a backstory on characters beyond Asia, Maria and Ray and Lily Woodhouse? No. But what we get is enough, especially for a 90-minute movie. Although some have criticized not getting more background about other characters (of which there are many), imagine the diversion it would be from the fast-paced story that drives it all so powerfully. If you’re like me, you’ll say, “Better left as is!”
Even with its debatable shortcomings, They Will Kill You achieves exactly what it aspires to and succeeds with proficiency. It’s a fun, action-packed, horror/dark-comedy extravaganza with lots of feet–a popcorn movie for sure, with over-the-top thrills, kills, slaughter, and mayhem galore–and a touch of deeper meaning thanks to me. Fasten your fun belts, turn off your brain (until you see the nipples), and get ready for a wild and crazy ride with an ass-kicking, big-haired heroine unlike any you’ve seen before! Let the carnage candy (and barefooting) begin!
Rocket Rating – 8
Chris Rennirt is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews appear in Effective Magazine and are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews.
