Boy Kills World is an action packed, blood soaked, revenge story with over the top fighting scenes that push gore to the next level.
If you like the John Wick franchise, and the new Dev Patel film Monkey Man, then Boy Kills World is for you. It is yet another blood soaked revenge story, jam packed with over the top, gore filled, action sequences. But don’t take that as a bad thing, it has its own unique twists and offers up a really fun time at the movies. Sure, it is a bit predictable at times, but there are enough surprises in store to keep viewers entertained intellectually, on top of the bloody action.
This movie follows a young man who is deaf and mute, played by Bill Skarsgård, known only as “Boy”. His sister and mother were brutally murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), who is the leader in a post-apocalyptic world, and he has trained under a shaman (Yayan Ruhian) for many years to enact his revenge. Even though he has been told he isn’t ready yet, a violent event catapults him into believing now is the time, and what comes next is a whole lot of ridiculous, absolutely bonkers, fight sequences.
The action sequences are next level. They push the boundaries over and over again when it comes to the gore. Much like John Wick and Monkey Man, they utilize their surroundings — watch out for the cheese grater because, for real, that is one disgustingly entertaining sequence. Fans of movies like this are sure to enjoy many of the battles in this film.
Boy Kills World also offers up quite a bit of humor. Because Boy cannot hear, he reads lips, and he isn’t always correct in what people are saying. There is one character in particular who he always imagines is speaking gibberish, adding some light heartedness to an otherwise brutal film.
Also because of this, Boy cannot remember what he sounds like, so he has borrowed the voice from a video game he used to play with his sister as his internal monologue. H. Jon Benjamin provides this voice, doing a fantastic job to deliver humor to break up the insanity.
The plot itself is often predictable, but still keeps viewers guessing as to the full and complete story. It is a simple enough, but fun enough, to keep audiences entertained for the full two hours. If you are not a fan of blood and gore, this one is likely not for you. But if you are, get ready to have the time of your life!
We haven’t really seen Bill Skarsgård in a role like this before. Because he doesn’t speak at all, he needs to deliver a completley physical performance, and not just during the fight scenes. His mannerisms and facial expressions need to be spot on to make this story believable, and they are. Without a strong lead, Boy Kills World would fall apart. Thankfully Skarsgård is also surrounded by a plethora of fantastic supporting actors, making this a hilarious and kick ass cast.
Boy Kills World is a bloody good time. It offers up some truly unforgettable action sequences that will leave viewers with their jaws on the floor, as they watch with baited breath through their fingertips. Each fight sequence gets crazy and more bonkers as the story goes on. Which, though predictable at times, still gives enough surprises and twists to keeps things interesting.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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About Boy Kills World
Bill Skarsgård stars as “Boy” who vows revenge after his family is murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), the deranged matriarch of a corrupt post-apocalyptic dynasty that left the boy orphaned, deaf and voiceless. Driven by his inner voice, one which he co-opted from his favorite childhood video game, Boy trains with a mysterious shaman (Yayan Ruhian) to become an instrument of death and is set loose on the eve of the annual culling of dissidents.
Bedlam ensues as Boy commits bloody martial arts mayhem, inciting a wrath of carnage and blood-letting. As he tries to get his bearings in this delirious realm, Boy soon falls in with a desperate resistance group, all the while bickering with the apparent ghost of his rebellious little sister.
Roadside Attractions & Lionsgate Will Release BOY KILLS WORLD Only In Theaters April 26, 2024.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.