Zazie Beetz’s They Will Kill You draws strong early reactions

At SXSW, Zazie Beetz’s action-horror They Will Kill You opened to enthusiastic early reactions. Festival attendees and critics likened its tone to John Wick and Ready or Not, with some calling the film “a total f*cking blast” and “completely batsh*t crazy.” Produced by Andy Muschietti, Bárbara Muschietti and Dan Kagan, the movie was directed by Kirill Sokolov from a script he co-wrote with Alex Litvak.

Beetz plays Asia, a mysterious woman who takes a job as a housekeeper in a high-rise and must survive the night against a demonic cult’s twisted, trap-filled lair. Online reaction highlighted the film’s mix of frantic action, blood-soaked set pieces and dark comedy.

Scott D Menzel praised Beetz as “an absolute badass,” Rachel Leishman pointed to a standout needle-drop moment, and others called the picture “hyperviolent” and “wilder than you can possibly imagine,” noting samurai skills and inventive kills. The cast also includes Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette.

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