‘Boy Kills World’ Review – Comically Over The Top But Always Fun

To be properly enjoyed, the audience has to remember that Mortiz Mohr’s Boy Kills World is purposely over the top in terms of its execution. It never skimps on the action and it’s a blood-soaked revenge tale that is right at home in the world of John Wick or the recently released Monkey Man. However, setting it apart from even those films is that it comes off more comically absurd. None of it feels like it’s grounded in reality but that’s not necessarily a detriment. The film embraces what it truly is and should be enjoyed by an audience that can discover it. Sadly, it feels like Lionsgate is releasing the movie with very little promotional fanfare this weekend, which is likely to stall its box office. Perhaps the intention is to ultimately make Boy Kills World a cult classic, something that seems destined to happen with this offbeat action experience.

Bill Skarsgård plays a young deaf and mute young man simply known as “Boy.” Both his mother and sister were horrifically murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), a fierce leader of a post-apocalyptic world. As is the case with most revenge tales, Boy begins training to enact his revenge, in his case under the tutelage of a shaman (Yayan Ruhian). He has been told he isn’t ready to go on his quest for retribution but another violent event pushes him into believing that now is the time to make those pay who took his world away from him.  From there, it’s a series of insane action sequences and bloody carnage that more than earns its place among some of the best of its kind.

In terms of action, moviegoers have seen it all and it may be hard for them to be impressed but Boy Kills World is able to present some next-level action sequences that certainly push the boundaries of the genre. The action never goes easy on the gore but most of it is so sensationalized that it always entertains on a video game level rather than leaving the audience squeamish. The action never fails to utilize its surroundings and director Moritz Mohr, in his feature directorial debut, shows he has a strong eye for bringing these sequences to life. He shows he has a future in this genre and has what it takes to elevate it to a new level. He can also join the prestigious club of using a cheese grater as an effective tool of disgustingly entertaining violence, something that has been seen in the likes of Evil Dead Rise and Savages, to name a few.

In addition to the action, which is comical in its own right, the film offers humor in other amusing ways. Since Boy can’t hear, he has to read lips and, as is the case with anyone who tries to engage in this activity, he doesn’t always read what people are saying correctly. One character in particular always appears to be speaking some kind of gibberish when Boy is trying to read their lips and it leads to some light-hearted laughs that make for some of the film’s softer moments. When a film is this brutal, even if it’s not grounded in reality, light humor adds necessary variety.

Another instance of humor and some of the best technical choices made by the film is the use of sound, or lack thereof when it comes to the character. Boy can’t recall what he sounds like so he borrows a voice from a video game he used to play with his sister. Acting as his internal monologue, H. Jon Benjamin provides the voice that provides some humorous soundbites to go along with the visceral insanity. It also allows for a more personal connection for the character since he’s taking from something special he used to do with his sister, deepening a more emotional connection for his quest for revenge.

Doing most of the film’s heavy lifting is Bill Skarsgård, who we haven’t seen engage in a role quite like this. The actor did a superb job in the action-driven John Wick 4 but his villain turn in that film was more talk than action. Since the character has been stripped of his voice, this is a purely physical performance in more ways than one. His physique is more than prepared for the film’s action sequences and he’s always believable whenever he’s engaging in combat. In addition to the fight scenes, his facial expressions and mannerisms also have to be on point to make much of this work and he’s committed to bringing Boy to life in all the ways that matter. Skarsgård is the glue that keeps this all together and without a strong lead, the suspension of disbelief would ultimately fall apart. Helping Skarsgård is an effective supporting cast that is game to go along for the ride. No one threatens to steal the show from Skarsgård but the work from the likes of Jessica Rothe, Michelle Dockery, Janssen, and Andrew Koji, among others, adds to the entertaining mayhem.

Boy Kills World is best consumed as a gore-filled good time. The plot has moments of predictability but the screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith and Arend Remmers does offer SOME surprises that keep the viewer guessing. The primary function of the film is to present unforgettable action that should make the audience cheer as each sequence gross more bonkers as the movie heads to its conclusion.  There are plenty of revenge stories out there but Boy Kills World makes a strong case that it’s more than worthy of joining the ranks of some of the best.

Boy Kills World will debut exclusively in theaters nationwide on April 26, 2024, courtesy of Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate.