AceShowbiz - The creative team behind They Will Kill You made a concerted effort to ensure that their horror-comedy film would deliver a unique and engaging experience without falling into the trap of campiness. The film, written and directed by Kirill Sokolov, premiered at SXSW on Tuesday and is scheduled for a theatrical release by Warner Bros. on March 27.

The onstage discussion following the premiere included lead actors Zazie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. They were joined by co-writer Alex Litvak and producers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, who shared insights about the film’s production and creative direction.

They Will Kill You centers on a newly hired housekeeper, played by Zazie Beetz, who takes a job at the enigmatic Virgil Hotel in New York City. She soon discovers that the hotel is the base for a satanic cult that has chosen her as a human sacrifice. The plot unfolds with a mix of gore, action, and absurdist elements, including a notable recurring focus on a severed body part that adds an unexpected twist throughout the movie.

Director Kirill Sokolov emphasized the film's originality during his remarks at the screening. He described the movie as “very different,” “very crazy,” and “very original.” However, he was equally clear about his intention to avoid making the film campy. “Every single person I talked [to] about this script, our first conversation was, ‘Please, just don’t make it camp. I hope it won’t be campy,’” Sokolov said. “And I promised everyone it won’t be, and guys, you can judge.”

This comment prompted Patricia Arquette to respond with a lighthearted declaration of her love for camp, eliciting applause from the audience and highlighting the fine line the film walks between horror, comedy, and absurdity.

Zazie Beetz praised the screenplay for its humor and pacing, explaining that she was thoroughly engaged and entertained throughout her reading. “Sometimes, it can take me a long time to get through something, but this one was just written with such humor and such pace,” she said. “I was laughing and just engaged the entire time.”

Heather Graham also expressed appreciation for the film’s approach to female characters, noting that the women in the story are strong and active participants in the intense and violent confrontations depicted. “Actually, I want to shout out Kirill because usually there’s a bunch of guys in the movie, and there’s one female character,” she said. “You wrote a lot of great female characters in this movie, so thank you.”

With its mix of gore, dark comedy, and original storytelling, They Will Kill You aims to stand out within the horror genre while maintaining a clear vision to avoid campiness. The film’s release on March 27 will provide audiences the opportunity to witness how this balance plays out on the big screen.