Zazie Beetz Takes on a Wealthy Cult to Save Her Sister in an Intense Thriller Review from SXSW
The world premiere of They Will Kill You marked the conclusion of the SXSW festival on Tuesday night, presenting a provocative narrative that intertwines themes of sisterhood and vengeance against elite cults.
Directed by Kirill Sokolov and co-written with Alex Litvak, the film dives into the action-thriller genre, featuring a storyline centered on sisters confronting sinister organizations. This theme resonated throughout the festival, echoing in other films such as Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Forbidden Fruits, and Seekers of Infinite Love.
In They Will Kill You, actress Zazie Beetz plays Asia Reaves, who secures a maid position at The Virgil, a historic New York City apartment building. As she navigates her new environment, her hidden motives soon come to light amidst a backdrop of rising tension and impending doom.
Having abandoned her sister Maria (portrayed by Myha’la) to their abusive father years prior, Asia’s quest leads her back to the building, where unsettling rumors of missing staff members linger.
As the plot unfolds, Asia realizes that the building’s residents have dark intentions, planning to sacrifice her to Satan in hopes of achieving immortality. Armed with an array of weapons and a fierce resolve to rescue her sister, Asia prepares for a fierce showdown.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Patricia Arquette as the eccentric Irish superintendent Lily, alongside wealthy tenants portrayed by Tom Felton and Heather Graham. Each actor lends their unique flair to the film, enhancing its high-stakes atmosphere.
Beetz delivers a standout physical performance, wielding weapons against a backdrop of chaos. Sokolov infuses the film with visceral action, showcasing elaborate gore that tests the limits of its characters’ resilience.
Meanwhile, the emotional weight of the sisters’ story deepens, highlighting the struggles of reconnecting amidst chaos. While Satan may demand blood, the film resonates with a message that true sacrifices often spring from love.
Sokolov’s take on satanic cults combines humor with heart, driven by a standout cast of emerging talent that will likely leave audiences cheering for their journey against the elite.
Title: They Will Kill You
Festival: SXSW (Headliner)
Distributor: New Line Cinema/Nocturna/Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: March 27, 2026
Director: Kirill Sokolov
Screenwriters: Kirill Sokolov, Alex Litvak
Cast: Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, Patricia Arquette
Running time: 1 hr 34 mins
