Dir: Kirill Sokolov, US, 2026, 94m
Cast: Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Tom Felton, Heather Graham
Review by: Matthew Morlai Kamara
She soon finds herself trapped in a vertical gauntlet, forced to fight her way through a series of increasingly dangerous floors. What starts as a simple cleaning gig quickly descends into a desperate struggle for survival as she realizes the building is home to a bloodthirsty, cult-like community. To escape, she must navigate a lethal playground filled with eccentric killers and hidden traps.
If you imagine the stylish, vengeful energy of Kill Bill colliding head-on with the relentless, bone-crunching intensity of The Raid, that is exactly what you get here, 100 percent – a hard-hitting, wild ride that you don’t want to miss. This magnificent piece of high-octane cinema, hooks you from the very first frame, taking you on a breathless, exciting journey that keeps you on the edge of your seats while you nervously laugh out loud.
The entire film is delightfully bonkers. I’m hitting the “golden buzzer” to officially declare this the most chaotic movie of the year. Seeing the cast in action is a treat, though I couldn’t help but think: “OMG, is that Tom Felton?” Seeing the man who played Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter in a role like this makes you realize damn, time truly flies by quickly!
As the mayhem unfolds, the influences are clear. The film carries the slapstick-tinted brutality of classic Jackie Chan films alongside the gravity-defying, slick precision of The Matrix. These elements blend into an exceptional action thriller that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
One standout moment that perfectly captures the film’s energy involves Asia attempting to hide from the villains. Watching her scramble on her knees while being pursued is nerve-wracking yet hilariously executed. That scene is a perfect example of the film’s unique mix of tension and dark comedy, with the energy being further elevated by a killer soundtrack that thumps rhythmically throughout the entire film.
They Will Kill You sits comfortably within the wheelhouse of Quentin Tarantino’s stylized hyper-violence and razor-sharp pacing. Sokolov has delivered a film of an incredibly high standard, proving himself a master of visceral stunts ,where you feel every punch and cut. If you are looking for a massive dose of cinematic adrenaline that keeps things raw and real, look no further. It is a heart-racing, bone-crunching triumph.
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