AceShowbiz - At the 2026 SXSW festival, the horror film They Will Kill You made a striking impression with its fresh take on the slasher genre and a particularly unforgettable prop—a disembodied eyeball belonging to Heather Graham's character. This unique element quickly became the standout feature of the film’s premiere and its Q&A session, captivating audiences and critics alike.

On the surface, They Will Kill You shares a premise similar to that of Ready or Not 2, which also debuted at SXSW just a week earlier. Both movies center on two sisters trapped overnight in a deadly scenario involving a wealthy cult determined to sacrifice them. However, the differences set the new film apart. Instead of white blonde sisters, this story follows Black women played by Zazie Beetz and Myha'la. Rather than being lured into the family through marriage, they are brought in as maids. The antagonists are bloodthirsty immortals, not participants in a grand scheme for world domination. Finally, the film is the work of Russian director Kiril Sokolov, diverging from the American collective that created Ready or Not 2.

The central horror element in They Will Kill You is a sinister pact granting immortality to a group of rich elites residing in a high-rise called The Virgil. Their eternal life depends on sacrificing innocent victims, a dark covenant sealed in blood. This grim setup provides the backdrop for the film’s gripping narrative.

The story follows Asia, portrayed by Zazie Beetz, a tough, prison-hardened woman who uses her combat skills in a desperate search for her sister Marie, played by Myha'la. A key sequence involves Asia navigating crawl spaces and ventilation shafts in a high-stakes chase. It is here that the film’s most unusual character—a disembodied eyeball—takes center stage. This eyeball, separated from Heather Graham's character, slithers through vents and communicates Asia’s location to the cult members, reinforcing their terrifying immortality.

The eyeball itself became a phenomenon at the SXSW event. During the Q&A at Austin’s Paramount Theatre, the moderator was accompanied onstage by a large animatronic version of the eyeball, affectionately nicknamed “Iris.” The audience’s enthusiasm for this prop rivaled that of a celebrity appearance, with attendees filming and cheering its every move. The moderator even joked that Iris was “the greatest prop that’s ever been on the Paramount stage,” highlighting the eyeball’s surprising star power.

Throughout the Q&A, director Kiril Sokolov explained the creative inspirations behind They Will Kill You. He and co-writer Alex Litvak sought to pay homage to classic horror films like The Evil Dead and Rosemary’s Baby, while simultaneously challenging the stereotype of fragile horror heroines. Sokolov relished pushing boundaries, noting his curiosity about “how much crazy shit Hollywood producers would let us do.” He also expressed admiration for scenes showing “people kick each other in a wide shot” and apologized to the cast for the physical toll of filming, adding, “but sometimes suffering, like, helps.”

Cast members shared their own perspectives on the intense production. Myha'la, new to action-packed roles involving explosions and physical stunts, admitted she was unprepared for how dynamic the final film would feel. She praised the sound design and music, especially the “insane” needle drops that elevated the tension. Meanwhile, Tom Felton, one of the cult members, lightened the mood behind the scenes by playing ukulele and composing songs for the cast.

Kiril Sokolov also lavished praise on Zazie Beetz, calling her “a warrior goddess, a force of nature in the shape of a woman,” and “the coolest, bloody samurai I have imagined in my life.” He declared that the film added a “kick-ass girl” to the pantheon of movie heroes, recognizing Beetz’s powerful portrayal of Asia.

For many in the cast, the SXSW screening was their first time seeing the completed film. Myha'la described the experience as exhilarating and unexpected, while Patricia Arquette, who plays the manager of The Virgil, called it one of only two films she has watched at a festival premiere with a live audience, comparing it favorably to her experience with Boyhood.

As the audience exited the theater, they encountered actors dressed as the satanic cult members wearing pig masks from the movie. These figures handed out keychains featuring the eyeball “Iris,” which quickly became a sought-after souvenir. One attendee remarked on the keychain’s “good quality” and “squishy” texture, a playful nod to the film’s blend of horror and dark humor.

Ultimately, They Will Kill You distinguished itself at SXSW with its inventive story, intense action sequences, and the unforgettable presence of Heather Graham's eyeball, which captivated viewers and added a surreal dimension to the horror experience. The film’s combination of homage, originality, and striking visuals promises to make it a standout in the 2026 horror landscape.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Vulture.