Zazie Beetz Takes on Terrifying Cult in New Horror Film
Atlanta and Joker star Zazie Beetz has revealed the terrifying secret at the heart of her new film They Will Kill You, a gore-drenched horror-action comedy directed by Russian filmmaker Kirill Sokolov. The German-American actress portrays ex-offender Asia Reaves, who unknowingly accepts a housemaid position in an enigmatic tower block where employees are banned from using mobile phones to protect guests' privacy.
Stepping Into a Nightmare
Beetz's character Asia is completely unaware she's entering a community where numerous people have vanished over the years. The Virgil, the upmarket building where she works, secretly houses a Satanic cult that Asia must survive through a single terrifying night. The film represents Beetz's first time leading a project, a physically and spiritually demanding experience she found profoundly empowering.
"This was my first time being the lead in a movie and being there every single day, all day," Beetz explains. "It was undoubtedly physically demanding, but it was also spiritually empowering, to show up knowing I had the energy and stamina to open fully, to connect, and to create a welcoming atmosphere."
Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Empowerment
The 34-year-old actress reflects on how the role helped her overcome industry self-doubt. "Growing up, or rather, coming into this industry as a young woman, I had to work through a lot of self-doubt and wonder whether people took me seriously," she admits. "During this experience, I felt like I was truly growing into my womanhood, even in my 30s. That journey, of course, continues forever, but this was another meaningful step along the way."
In the film's narrative, Asia was imprisoned for shooting her violent father in a desperate bid to protect her teenage sister Maria, played by Myha'la. This sisterhood dynamic forms the emotional core of the story, with Myha'la emphasizing its significance: "I think sisterhood is at the core of everything she does. Every choice she makes, whether it seems supportive of that bond or not, comes from it."
Intense Physical Preparation and Stunt Work
The role demanded extensive stunt work from Beetz, who brandishes various weapons including a samurai sword, shotgun, and machete to battle her way out of the nightmarish location. She began preparation months before shooting with boxing training, followed by daily stunt training in South Africa where filming took place.
"Kirill, our director, wanted me to get the movement into my body, to feel what the character might physically express," Beetz reveals about her preparation. "Working with stunt doubles is fascinating. You have to build a bond with them because they mimic your movements so that, when they go on camera, it looks like the character is embodied."
Exploring Anger as Survival Mechanism
The film delves into how anger becomes a survival mechanism for the characters. "Anger can be wild and chaotic, but it can also be distilled into a focused energy that fuels a mission," Beetz explains. "My character experiences this, and in my own life, I've sometimes allowed anger to serve as that kind of fuel. It's actually a very energising feeling."
Myha'la adds an important perspective on the portrayal of anger, particularly for Black women: "I do think there's a trope, especially as a black woman, where people assume I'm angry when I'm not, and that's really frustrating. What I love about this film is that it centres two young black women who are angry and rightfully so."
Star-Studded Supporting Cast
The film features an impressive supporting cast including:
- Patricia Arquette as Lilith, the Irish superintendent of the Virgil and leader of the Satanic cult
- Heather Graham and Tom Felton as Sharon and Kevin, members of the cult
- Myha'la as Asia's younger sister Maria
Beetz emphasizes that while anger drives her character in some ways, "love is actually her main motivator. Her anger is usually a reaction to external circumstances, but her love is what propels her forward, helping her navigate all the trials and tribulations she faces."
They Will Kill You arrives in UK cinemas on Friday, March 27, offering audiences a unique blend of horror, action, and comedy with powerful themes of empowerment, sisterhood, and survival.
