‘They Will Kill You’: Zazie Beetz Unleashes Chaos in a Blood-Soaked Cult Horror

Director: Kirill Sokolov 

Writers: Kirill Sokolov & Alex Litvak

Producers: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Dan Kagan

Executive Producers: Russell Ackerman, John Schoenfelder, Carl Hampe, Litvak, and Sokolov.

Starring: Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette

Rating: R

Run time: 1 hour and 34 minutes

Release Date: March 27,2026

Foxy Brown, Cleopatra Jones, and now you can add Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz), the machete-wielding, butt-kicking lead of They Will Kill You. This new Warner Bros. release is wild, chaotic, and goes further than expected. If you’re into Evil Dead, Kill Bill, anime, or classic Blaxploitation, this one is for you.

But beyond the blood and spectacle, the film taps into areas of strength, endurance, and what it means to fight back when the odds are stacked against you.

The Story: A Night at The Vigil Turns Deadly

Asia arrives at The Virgil on a cold, rainy night, taking a job as one of the building’s new maids. The residents are wealthy, entitled, and disconnected—but beneath that polished surface is something much darker.

What starts like a horror setup quickly spirals into a violent fight for survival against a satanic cult hiding in plain sight. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear Asia isn’t there by accident. There’s an intention behind her arrival, and the deeper she goes, the more dangerous the night becomes.

Asia Reaves: A New Action Hero

I caught 20 minutes of the film at BlerdCon, and it didn’t take away from what this movie delivers. Asia is armed with everything from a shotgun to a flaming axe, but what makes her work isn’t just the weapons; it’s her presence and fearless.

Her reactions—“What the hell?” “That’s crazy!”—feels like a natural reaction, like how anyone would respond in that situation. That balance between shock and survival keeps the character relatable, even as the film gets more into chaos.

Beetz moves seamlessly between action and emotion, giving Asia a sense of purpose beyond just making it through the night. There’s a drive to her that feels personal.

Myha’la also stands out as Maria, bringing strong chemistry with Beetz. She may not physically match Asia, but her role becomes more important as the story unfolds.

Action, Gore, and Blood Galore

If you think the trailers showed everything, think again. This film goes all in.

Imagine the Bride vs. the Crazy 88s in Kill Bill—but extended, louder, and paired with an energetic score by Carlos Rafael Rivera. The action is relentless, stylized, and clearly influenced by video game energy.

The flaming axe sequence (yes, that one) is a standout, feeling like something out of God of War. And there’s a certain satisfaction in watching Asia take down the wealthy residents of The Virgil, especially when many of them are rude, dismissive, or outright evil.

Villains, Chaos, and That “WTF” Factor

There’s a reason behind Asia’s mission, and while parts of it feel familiar, the film adds a supernatural twist that keeps things unpredictable. Early on, it gives Ready or Not vibes, but quickly shifts into something more chaotic.

The villains are part of the fun. Heather Graham and Tom Felton bring arrogance and shock, while Patricia Arquette leans fully into her role as cult leader Lilith Woodhouse, almost like an anime villain sending waves of henchmen into battle.

The film takes unexpected turns that may feel random at first, but they align with the genre’s unpredictability. It won’t work for everyone, but if you’re tapped into that energy, it lands.

Final Thoughts: Messy, Violent, and Fun

The pacing and tone shift throughout, but the cinematography in the fight sequences stands out. Underneath all the chaos, the film touches on themes of class, power, and sacrifice—even if it doesn’t always fully explore them.

In the end, They Will Kill You knows exactly what it is: “self-aware”, loud, messy, violent, and fun. It delivers a lead character you can root for and enough memorable moments to carry it through.

Asia Reaves feels like a character audiences will latch onto. Don’t be surprised if she shows up at comic cons and in cosplay soon. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we see of her. 

My rating is a 7/10. Go see it with a group of friends, be shocked, and cheer for Asia kick butt.