“They Will Kill You” is directed by Kirill Sokolov (Why Don’t You Just Die!, No Looking Back) and stars Zazie Beatz (Deadpool 2, Joker), Myha’la (Swiped, Leave the World Behind), Paterson Joseph (Wonka, Timeless), Tom Felton (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Fackham Hall), Heather Graham (The Hangover, Boogie Nights), and Patricia Arquette (Boyhood, Severance). This film follows a woman named Asia, a recent hire at a high-rise in New York City, as she uncovers its ties to a Satanic cult and does what she can to survive against those who make up the place.

Part of me wonders what the heck Warner Brothers was thinking with the release of “They Will Kill You.” Not the fact that they put it out at all, but rather that they put it out when they did. As someone who loves the first “Ready or Not” movie to death, I figured it would be inevitable that “They Will Kill You” would end up reminding me of that absolute piece of cinema. But seriously, what prompted Warner Brothers to release this movie the week after “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come?” While these movies are not exactly the same, they have similar plots and vibes… Both films feature a woman who is forced to take on a mob of people who are trying to kill her. Oh, and that mob is connected to a cult.

Questionable release date aside, I was interested in “They Will KIll You.” Of course, with a title like that, how could I not be? The concept intrigued me, and the movie looked like an overall gory fun time. To me, that is exactly what this movie was. Is this film going to win any awards? Probably not. Though I would not start a debate if you thought this film should be recognized for its production design.

What makes this film great is more than just its style. And I say that realizing its style is quite pleasing. What makes everything work is the connection between Asia (Beatz) and Maria Reaves (Myha’la). The film starts with the younger versions of the two as they try to run from their abusive father. Asia shoots him and gets arrested, while Maria remains in his custody. The film then flashes forward a decade to where Asia becomes a housekeeper at a New York City high-rise. As she takes on the job, she learns more about the building’s history, as well as what could happen to her if she is not careful.

The progression of the story unveils the sisters’ backgrounds and capabilities. Asia is more than able to defend herself, and as the film’s action sequences reveal, she can look cool while doing it. Turns out Maria also made it into the high-rise. When Asia runs into her, we learn not only how she got there in the first place, but how she managed to stay for as long as she did. The backstory as to how Maria ended up surviving for so long makes for some meaty material. It added depth to her character, the high-rise itself, as well as the others inside it.

This is not the first time I have watched Zazie Beatz on screen. I enjoyed watching her supporting roles in “Deadpool 2” as well as “Joker.” That said, this is the first time I have seen her as a leading lady, and she carries this movie. After seeing her take on the leading role of “They Will Kill You,” I would not mind seeing another movie where Beatz plays the main character. She has proven herself to be a fine action star and carries a commanding presence.

When I talk about the things I enjoy in a movie, I will often go for the big guns and talk about performances, direction, writing, and so on. But at other times, there are films where “the little things” tend to stand out, and “They Will Kill You” is no exception. I will save the context for your viewing experience, but there is an important point of the story involving an eye. I thought what exactly they did with it was clever. The film also showcases what people in the high-rise like to do. We find out that there is an entire floor where groups of people could be in the same place having sex at the same time. For the record, the people living in this building are immortal, so they have to find things, or perhaps more accurately, people, to do, otherwise they might become bored.

This film cost $20 million to make, but each frame almost looks like a trillion bucks between the color palette, the action, and the sets. This film is directed by Kirill Sokolov. I had not seen any of his work prior to this movie. Having seen “They Will Kill You,” I was convinced that its style is what would happen if a Matthew Vaughn movie and a Guillermo del Toro movie had a baby. The movie is a perfect mix between fast-paced, boisterous action with a pinch of color to balance things out.

Not to digress from this movie, but having looked at Sokolov’s IMDb page, it mentions that one of his previous works, “Why Don’t You Just Die!,” is inspired by one of his favorite filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino. Filmmaking has been around for some time, so it is not surprising to know that newer filmmakers are copying older filmmakers that inspired them. This film reminds me of “Reservoir Dogs” or “Pulp Fiction” to a degree. These all have sick action scenes and are not afraid to show some blood and gore. It has been nearly seven years since a Quentin Tarantino-directed movie has hit theaters. If you are looking for a filmmaker that has a pinch of Tarantino’s DNA, then Sokolov seems to get the job done. Time will tell if Sokolov will have the career or name recognition of Tarantino, but if he keeps making good films like this one, that could end up being the case. Sokolov has a twisted mind, and his screenwriting efforts alongside Alex Litvak, who also has a story credit for the “Masters of the Universe” movie releasing later this year, prove to make for a solid hour and a half.

The film’s cast may be small, but its action sequences prove to feel giant. I am not in an immediate rush to watch “They Will Kill You” again. In fact, of the two big movies coming out within the span of a week that involve women surviving against cults, I would prefer to go back and watch “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” a second time. Maybe it is because I have an attachment to the 2019 original, so there could be some bias. Nevertheless, I recommend “They Will Kill You.” Give it a watch sometime.

In the end, “They Will Kill You” is killer fun. The film is fast-paced, never boring, and is packed with brilliant setpieces. When I watched the trailer for this movie, I was intrigued by how the action sequences presented themselves. Having seen the movie, they lived up to the trailer. I was not surprised. However, what did surprise me was the film’s ability to get me engaged towards the two sisters’ connection. The movie has a good hook featuring the duo and successfully builds upon that. Go check this flick out. I am going to give “They Will Kill You” a 7/10.

“They Will Kill You” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you want to see another review, I am dropping a new episode of Scene Before’s brand new series “Movie Requests” Sunday, April 19th. It is going to feature “Avatar” actor Joel David Moore. I look forward to talking about his suggestion. If you want to see this review as soon as it drops, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “You’re Dating a Narcissist!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “The Drama,” and “Exit 8.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “They Will Kill You?” What did you think about it? Or, in the spirit of Tarantino, what is your favorite Quentin Tarantino movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!