New York’s most opulent addresses often conceal more than just exorbitant rents; they frequently become the chilling backdrop for cinematic tales of malevolence and cultic intrigue. This trope was famously immortalized in Roman Polanski’s deeply unsettling 1968 film adaptation of Ira Levin’s 1967 novel, Rosemary’s Baby. The film’s mystique was even amplified by a legendary publicity stunt: Polanski flew renowned hairstylist Vidal Sassoon from London at a reported cost of $5,000 to cut lead actress Mia Farrow’s hair, echoing a scene from the original book.
Even contemporary, lighter fare like the beloved Only Murders in the Building sees its fair share of dark deeds unfold within the confines of a lavish Upper West Side apartment complex. This recurring fascination suggests that perhaps the city’s impossibly high rents, coupled with the grandeur of its historic buildings, inherently foster an environment ripe for speculation about hidden nefarious activities lurking behind their impressive concrete and glass façades.
This enduring urban legend brings us to another century-old New York apartment building, “The Virgil,” which exudes an aura of wealth, privilege, and, inevitably, the sinister. Director Kirill Sokolov’s latest English-language feature, They Will Kill You, now streaming on Netflix, thrusts viewers into this ominous setting. The film stars Zazie Beetz, Myha’la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette, unfolding its 94-minute narrative with relentless intensity.
The story centers on Asia (Zazie Beetz), who arrives at The Virgil in search of her sister, Maria (Myha’la), last known to be working there. Asia carries the heavy burden of guilt, having spent the past decade in prison for assaulting their abusive father, believing she abandoned Maria in her time of need. Despite a cryptic warning from a man aiding her search (Angus Sampson), Asia presses on through a downpour, determined to find her sister within the building’s formidable walls.
Upon entering The Virgil, Asia is greeted by the building’s enigmatic superintendent, Lilith (Patricia Arquette), who escorts her to her room and introduces her to some of the building’s affluent, and perhaps unnerving, residents, including Kevin (Tom Felton) and Sharon (Heather Graham).
What begins as a seemingly comfortable stay quickly descends into a waking nightmare. Asia is abruptly awoken at 3:18 AM – a time notoriously associated with the demonic – by hooded figures intent on her capture. A frenzied, building-wide chase ensues, with Asia barely evading her relentless tormentors, who defy all attempts to be stopped permanently. During this desperate flight, she uncovers the horrifying truth about The Virgil, a revelation delivered in a grotesquely unforgettable manner, reminiscent of a macabre ritual straight out of Lord of the Flies.
They Will Kill You is a visually stunning production, with Kirill Sokolov masterfully crafting a series of nightmarish realms that evoke the multi-layered inferno of Dante’s epic poem. The film’s “roving eye” camera work is a distinctive touch, conjuring cinematic echoes of kinetic thrillers like Kill Bill and 6 Underground, yet establishing its own uniquely visceral aesthetic. Maintaining such high-octane action within a single architectural space for 90 minutes is a formidable challenge, one that Sokolov navigates with exceptional flair.
The cinematography features breathtaking soaring and swooping shots of the lifts and corridors, lending a dynamic verticality to the enclosed environment. A particularly standout sequence involves Asia’s ascent through a crawl space, delivering a distinctive, almost video-game-like perspective and feel. While the constant barrage of killings and decapitations could easily become monotonous, the film adeptly counters this with a meticulously constructed plot, infused with timely doses of dark humor, and anchored by Zazie Beetz’s utterly committed and compelling performance. Short, sharp, and furiously paced, They Will Kill You offers a uniquely gory, yet thoroughly engaging, cinematic experience.
