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. Yes! 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, after my opening accolades, 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. 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 her rampage of revenge, you will see her perfection. While every other actor in the movie could have been replaced without a loss, not Zazie! Without her, I probably wouldn’t even have written this review! 
With that out of the way, what’s the movie all 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!
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 Zazie’s job as an ass-kicking final girl? It just got a lot more difficult! Awesomse!
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 queue 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. Yes! 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 as well, worthy of a purchase on 4K and frequent rewatches.
Speaking of Quentin Tarantino, I’ll add another: Sam Raimi. Yes! 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 of Not and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (the latter of which was released in March of the same year as They Will Kill You). 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, literally setting of an explosion of energy, revenge, and limitless badassery, unlike anything before. As I said earlier, which bears repeating, “Without Zazie, I probably wouldn’t even have written this review!”
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 (as Lily Woodhouse), Heather Graham (as Sharon), Tom Felton (as Kevin), Angus Sampson (as the P.I.), James Remar (as the voice of the “The Pig’s Head,” are just a few. See the film’s IMDb page for a complete list of the movie’s cast.
Are there questions? With my reviews, always? 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 Asia sell her soul to the devil to win, or will her bad-ass afro and Samurai skills save the day? 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. Fasten your fun belts, turn off your brain (at least the thinking part of it), 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.