They Will Kill You (2026) Movie Review

They Will Kill You is a 2026 action horror film directed by Kirill Sokolov and co-written by Alex Litvak. It stars Zazie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. Produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti, via their company Nocturna, and distributed by New Line Cinema.

Asia Reaves (Beetz) escaped from an abusive household in her youth and now works as a housekeeper in a strange New York City high-rise, but unbeknownst to her, the building hides a sect of devil-worshippers who are bent on committing a bloody sacrifice.

While you might expect some kind of grindhouse-style wild and exaggerated action flick judging by the trailer and the tone this film presents itself with, in the end the influence isn't so much exploitation cinema itself, but rather, the films that were already paying homage to cult films. The needle drops, the camera movements and the type of shots are all reminiscent of Kill Bill and Django Unchained. They Will Kill You takes more influence from Tarantino and the likes than anything else. It's the homage to the homage dressed in a layer of modern day preoccupations with race, trauma, a tragic past linked to social issues and even fights between the economic classes. Nothing of this is really pointed out by the film itself but the implications in the film's storytelling elements are pretty evident.

The main story is pretty straightforward, deliberately simple and direct so the filmmakers can construct a variety of action set-pieces with almost absurd levels of violence on display, which are truly the main focus of the movie. This deranged blood-soaked violence is honestly kind of weightless and too wacky to fully work, people will get their body parts cut off with no effort and while the choreographies themselves aren't bad, the way the script resolves the action sequences isn't very satisfying the majority of the time. The CGI gore isn't bad, and there's a fair amount of practical special effects, but the way the film is shot and color corrected makes it feel a bit dry and lacking flavor, something the Tarantino films had.

The bizarre antics and inner workings of the villains is just a very controlled attempt at being insane, the ludicrous final fight scene had its fun moments but the forced looniness of it never actually registers as genuinely mad, it's just juvenile and slightly weird, this is especially the case if you have seen a lot of faux grindhouse movies that truly commit to the over-the-top factor and give you some unreal and demented images. This film never actually goes out of its way to achieve that, but it's a film that works well since the actors are competent, the effects are well made, the brawls and fights are dynamic and fast, sometimes even creative. It's nothing else but an entertaining popcorn movie, not that it tried to be anything but that, but it can only reach that level.

Outside of some reservations, I do recommend the film as it's a very effective fun romp from beginning to end, only ninety minutes and ultraviolent. You can't really go wrong with it if you know what to expect.

Dark Match (2024) Movie Review

Dark Match is a wrestling satanic horror action film written and directed by Lowell Dean, and starring Ayisha Issa, Steven Ogg, Sara Canning, and wrestling star Chris Jericho. The film generated mixed reviews and some scepticism among people who dislike movies that feature WWE stars but eventually it was released to some notoriety in the streaming service Shudder.

In the late eighties, Nicky (Ayisha Issa), known as Miss Behave in the ring and a female wrestler working for a small promotion company named SAW, travels to a weird little village for a private event where dangerous cult members, lead by a former wrestler known as The Prophet, are to attend. Things escalate and the cult members become bloodsthirsty, sacrifices are made hoping to bring the devil to our world and now Nicky, along with a manager who she had a troubled relationship with (Steven Ogg), and other companions, must escape and defeat the devil worshippers.

The film's biggest dealbreaker to me is the fact that it's never really committed to its craziness and potentially delirious storyline and tone, it's all hampered by the fact that everything feels halfway done. I don't know if it's a budget problem but the fight sequences never reach any overblown crescendo or kooky intensity one would expect from the director of films like Wolf Cop, it's all muffled and flavorless.

To add to its imperfections, Miss behave is sidelined for most of runtime since she steps back to let Steven Ogg drive the story for a fair amount of the duration. This is hardly a major flaw as Ogg is very enjoyable to watch but it's all at the expense of the heroine's agency and predominance in the narrative throughline. I really wish it wasn't as timid with its violence and its characters. Someone needed to up the ante and add a deranged energy that could help it.

The retro grindhouse grainy and dirty style with colorful lighting and unclean visuals add a ton of atmosphere and convey the exploitation-like throwback attitude the film wants to portray and be faithful to but it doesn't properly elevate the insanity that a satanic wrestling movie should most likely contain to deliver the goods. No amount of color can save the plain and empty scenarios and sets. Barely any real gore, no sleazy nudity and it hardly rejoices in its filthiness enough to make it stand out in the sea of faux grindhouse flicks out there.

The wrestling ladies and their manic matches are fun and it has a funny ending (that also cops out) but otherwise Dark Match is a highly unremarkable horror/slasher movie that it's probably just a rental or a casual watch if you can stream it for free.

Shadow Force (2025) Movie Review

Shadow Force is a 2025 action thriller film directed by Joe Carnahan starring Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Sala Baker and Natalia Reyes. It was written by Carnahan himself and Leon Chills. It's also the first film to be released by the new Lionsgate Studios.

Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Isaac (Omar Sy) are two ex-special forces group members, one known as Shadow Force, who live peacefully after deserting since they fell in love and decided to leave that life to raise their child, Ky. Assassins are constantly sent after them by their former director/leader Jack Cinder (Mark Strong), but after an incident during a bank robbery both end up on the run as Cinder closes in on them as he assembles the remaining members of the Shadow Force.

The film mostly treads on known territory and displays a very high amount of cliches and stereotypes that one would expect from such a premise (parents who are agents with a kid who is mostly unaware, comedic sidekicks that don't amount to much, one liners and a lot of exposition regarding the organization they work for) but never actually does much with the concept aside from following the expected plot points and narrative devices that action films of this kind often employ. It's decently shot but a lot of its cinematography boils down to functional uninteresting shots with a cold and realistic color scheme that feels mostly bland and uninspired.

It all comes to life in the expected climactic battle that shows some forceful and intense brawlings and shootouts between the mercenaries and killers involved that actually makes it feel a bit more personal and familiar than one would expect. Every punch, kick and blow can definitely be felt as the director has proven to be very competent when it comes to action sequences both choreography-wise and cinematically-wise, there's even a very interesting game between the senses (sound and image) that it's linked to a character's disability that's actually a bit inventive and helps the film stand out a bit.

For the most part, the family conflicts are contrived and reach their peak way too early while the rest develops in a dehydrated and deflated manner that is bogged down by a slow pace and stale visuals. The main heroine is a bit entertaining but you don't get to know her quite well. In many ways, this is the opposite of One Battle After Another in the sense that these are parents with a troubled past trying to escape it (even with the mother dating the bad guy previously) but having it come back to haunt them, this time mom and dad fought for the bad guys unintentionally. 

Only for action movie buffs but not recommended for anyone else.

The Muthers (1976) Movie Review

Here we have another low budget exploitation film, this time a Phillipino production directed by Cirio H. Santiago (TNT Jackson, Firecracker, Silk, Naked Vengeance, Angelfist). Released in 1976 and starring Jeannie Bell, Rosanne Katon, Trina Parks and Jayne Kennedy. While sometimes considered a blaxploitation film it lacks the urban aspect but has some of the other requirements.

The Muthers rose to prominence soon after Quentin Tarantino called it one of his favorite films. It was also one of the films featured in the documentary Machete Maidens Unleashed (2010), about the exploitation productions of the country. It's also known for being one of the rare action pictures with black female leads. Making it a noteworthy cult film, probably more seen in recent times than ever before.

Two modern day female pirates, Kelly (Jean Bell) and Angie (Rosanne Katon) operate in the South Seas, stealing from tourists and other ships. Sandra, Kelly's sister, is captured and taken to the dangerous Monteiro Plantation, where the inmates face cruel and ruthless treatment. Now the two leading ladies have to use their crew and dangerous abilities in order to get Sandra out of that hellhole.

With super cool action sequences, a solid sense of rhythm, a captivating premise and rough yet pleasant performances The Muthers is simply a very tender and no-frills flick. The type of cinema that solves everything with a good fist fight and a shootout. In fact, by the end there's nothing but people shooting and being shot.

The main actresses look beautiful and are quite photogenic, their performances are also charismatic, giving the characters vivid personalities and they all inhabit a rich world of their own. I think the fun/funny conversations the characters have also add a lot to the experience, the plotline may be bare bones, but the sharp dialogue and the organic acting make it refreshing and enjoyable to watch.

The direction is a bit still and dry for some of it, there aren't many fancy camera tricks, framings or compositions, but it more than makes up for it with the constant action and the fast moving editing that gives the film a good rhythm. A bit basic but reliable and digestible in every way. 

The settings are rich and full of life, very solid locations that might feel a bit redundant or familiar if you have seen the Women In Prison movies Roger Corman produced. I will say, this one is a bit more heavy on the liberating action and about the same regarding their women's lib attitude.

There are also some brutal scenes that won't really put anyone away if they know that this is an exploitation film, but that might shock some viewers if they are new to this type of film. It's sleazy and crude but we can't expect any less from a grindhouse movie, it also never undermines the women in any fashion. That's a plus in the field.

Recommended for those looking for a cheap but somewhat clever action movie from the seventies. No holds barred and nothing but camp.