This week sees the release of They Will Kill You, the most intensely gruesome horror film of 2026. Directed by Kirill Sokolov and starring Zazie Beetz, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, Patricia Arquette, and Myha’la Paterson Joseph, the movie follows a woman who takes a job as a housekeeper in a strange New York skyscraper called the Virgil. She soon discovers the building has a history of unexplained disappearances. This film marks Sokolov’s first American directorial effort, and he says it’s the kind of movie he would have loved as a child. In fact, a particular film from his childhood heavily influenced his decision to become a director.
In an interview with ComicBook, Janek Sokolov shared that Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2 was his childhood favorite film. He explained that Raimi’s directing inspired him to believe he could become a filmmaker himself.
Sokolov mentioned that he rewatched Evil Dead 2 constantly for a couple of years. He explained that the film was a major inspiration, showing him that making your own movies was achievable. Sam Raimi’s directing style felt accessible and encouraging, making him believe anyone could try filmmaking.
Raimi wasn’t the sole inspiration for They Will Kill You. He shared that comparisons to Quentin Tarantino’s work are flattering, as Tarantino’s films were a major influence on him growing up.
It’s incredibly flattering. I was a big fan of his films growing up, especially those from the 90s, and they were a major influence on me. As a film enthusiast and director, I’ve always admired how he blended different styles and genres – things like Westerns, samurai films, and kung fu – and I really studied his work. His films were like a guide for me. But I also hope my own work offers something new and unique. While I’m thrilled to be compared to him, I want my films to be more than just an imitation.
They Will Kill You Has Serious Literary Vibes
As a film fan, I’ve been digging into how director Sokolov approached this movie, and it’s clear he’s influenced by filmmakers like Raimi and Tarantino. But what really struck me was the way he built the Virgil building itself. Each floor feels totally different as the housekeeper character fights this crazy Satanic cult, and it reminded me a lot of Dante’s Inferno. It’s not a perfect adaptation, of course—they didn’t go through every level—but the structure definitely echoes that classic work.
We initially called this project ‘Nine Floors of Hell,’ but it sounded like a bad movie title, so we changed it. The building, named Virgil, is designed with each floor representing a different circle of Dante’s Inferno. That’s why each floor has a unique theme, different activities, and a distinct style.
Based on the trailer, the movie looks like a thrilling, action-packed horror film with plenty of intense violence. It combines a growing sense of danger with the over-the-top, darkly comedic style director Sam Raimi is known for, and early reviews suggest it’s a successful mix. Currently, it has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
They Will Kill You hits theaters on March 27, 2026.
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2026-03-24 18:12