THEY WILL KILL YOU -- A Brutal, Bold Showcase for Zazie Beetz

Review by Chadd Clubine

Anytime Zazie Beetz appears in a project, it instantly feels worth watching. She remains one of the most underrated actresses working today, consistently stealing the spotlight regardless of the size of her role. Thankfully, this time she’s been given a true leading part—one that fully showcases her range and charisma—and hopefully opens the door to many more opportunities at the forefront.

The film’s opening initially feels like a familiar cliché we’ve seen many times before. Given the true direction of the story, starting this way not only stretches the runtime, but momentarily pulls focus from the central plot. While its purpose becomes clearer later, the film might have been stronger had it jumped straight into the core narrative. That said, it eventually circles back to the opening in a way that justifies its inclusion—one of the rare instances where a flashback feels necessary without relying on forced exposition.
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The film’s marketing does an excellent job of making it feel like a must-see, largely because of how much it holds back. But stripped of that mystery, the simplest way to describe it is this: imagine if Quentin Tarantino directed The Raid. The result is absolute chaos—in the best way. From its inventive camerawork to its unflinching violence, the film feels wildly unrestrained. Director Kirill Sokolov emerges as a bold new voice in the action genre, one who never settles for anything less than his vision. The camera transforms tight, confined spaces into something dynamic and expansive, while the brutality is so sharp and surprising that it feeds directly into the film’s dark, offbeat humor. The film is packed with inventive action set pieces that push the genre forward, carving out something fresh and distinctly its own within the action landscape.

While the film’s opening may initially feel like a cliché, it ultimately reveals a surprisingly heartfelt story about a sister trying to make amends by saving her sibling from something far more dangerous than anything she’s faced before. By sending Beetz’s character to prison, the film cleverly equips her with the skills she’ll need for that rescue. It does take some time for Myha’la to appear as her sister, but once she does, their dynamic comes into sharp focus, grounding the emotional core of the story. Even with limited screen time, the film effectively builds their relationship, making you invest in their bond and root for Beetz to succeed—especially as the true nature of the villains begins to unfold.

The third act is still undeniably fun, but it begins to tip into excess, becoming a bit too ridiculous for its own good. While the visuals remain striking, the heightened goofiness makes it harder to stay emotionally invested in what’s unfolding. There’s also a key reveal that aims for impact, but doesn’t quite land, largely because it never feels like the outcome is truly in doubt. With a more developed villain and a greater focus on tension and genuine surprises over humor, the film could have delivered a much stronger, more satisfying finale.
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Overall, They Will Kill You delivers on its promise. The narrative can feel a bit uneven at times, but it finds its strength in the emotional throughline between Beetz and Myha’la’s characters. The action is the true standout, packed with set pieces that, while clearly inspired, still feel inventive and creatively executed. At just 90 minutes, it’s time well spent.
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They Will Kill You is now playing in theaters.

RATING: 3.5/5