They Will Kill You follows Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz), an ex-convict trying to rebuild her life, who takes a job as a housekeeper in a mysterious New York high-rise known as The Virgil. Inside, she reconnects with her estranged sister Maria Reaves (Myha'la), but quickly senses something is off. The building has a dark reputation, with strange residents like Kevin (Tom Felton) and Sharon (Heather Graham), and an atmosphere that feels increasingly dangerous.

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As Asia spends more time inside, she becomes entangled with powerful figures including Lilith (Patricia Arquette) and Ray Woodhouse (Paterson Joseph), whose influence over the building raises unsettling questions. What starts as a simple job turns into a tense fight for survival, as Asia realises the true nature of the place she’s entered—and how difficult it may be to escape.

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One of the trailers for They Will Kill You said in its opening “To advertise this film we couldn’t show you the most violent parts.” They then proceeded to cover up the violent acts with little emoji’s. Smart, clever, kind quirky marketing - which perfectly sums up They Will Kill You. It’s a mysterious, horror soaked premise, with a kick ass lead in Zazie Beetz, and it’s all tied together with a bonkers vibe and sensibility.

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Narratively, it follows a well trodden horror path and doesn’t stray too far from it. What makes it unique is the way in which it delivers the story - from bonkers reincarnations to a spying, traveling eyeball (yes - you read that correctly) that feels a lot like you’re in the midst of some horror film induced fever dream. 

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But what makes They Will Kill You unique ultimately makes the film not always gel. There are too many competing themes and sensibilities going on here that distracts from the beating heart of the story - Asia and her lost sister Maria. It doesn’t have enough time to breathe, and so, in the final act, we don’t feel the high stakes as much as we could have. 

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That being said, They Will Kill You has superb action sequences, particularly when Asia gets attacked in her room on her first night - the whole sequence is frenetic edge of your seat stuff. The production aesthetic and scene construction make this feel a little like Wes Anderson had crafted this horror. Also, Zazie Beetz should be the lead in more films. She’s has charm to burn but with a very real hint of danger about her as well. 

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A horror with a mysterious, horror soaked premise, a kick ass lead in Zazie Beetz, and a bonkers vibe and sensibility, unfortunately They Will Kill You doesn’t quite bring all of those elements together.