I watched Boy Kills World and I liked it. 3.5/5
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Boy Kills World is a chaotic, ultra-stylized action romp that wears its strangeness on its sleeve. It’s violent, loud, and a bit of a mess—but it’s also unapologetically fun, filled with hyper-stylized action sequences and a darkly playful energy that make it a memorable ride. For fans of eccentric, over-the-top action movies, this film offers a unique blend of surrealism and absurdity, though it might leave others scratching their heads.
The story follows Boy (Bill Skarsgård), a mute young man living in a nightmarish dystopian world where violence and mayhem are the norm. After witnessing his family’s brutal murder, Boy is taken under the wing of a mysterious shaman, who trains him to become a weapon of vengeance. What follows is a blood-soaked journey as Boy sets out to dismantle a corrupt regime while trying to survive in a world that seems to be running on chaos alone. The plot is thin—borderline absurd—but it’s clear from the start that Boy Kills World is more interested in style and spectacle than a well-woven narrative.
Visually, the film is a feast of frenetic energy and color, with director Moritz Mohr leaning heavily into the surrealist aesthetic. Think of a mix between Mad Max and John Wick, filtered through a nightmare fever dream of neon and blood. The action sequences are the film’s undeniable highlight, each one a meticulously choreographed ballet of violence. Skarsgård shines as the stoic Boy, giving an intense, almost animalistic performance that’s impressive given the lack of dialogue. Boy doesn’t speak, but Skarsgård’s physicality and expressions do most of the storytelling. He’s a powerhouse of raw energy, and the film leans into his silent rage, making him a compelling anti-hero even when the story falls into predictable revenge beats.
The supporting cast adds some welcome flavor. Jessica Rothe plays a character who’s almost as ruthless as Boy, and she brings a twisted charm to her scenes. Her performance is both darkly funny and unsettling, which fits perfectly with the movie’s unhinged tone. Then there’s Sharlto Copley, who seems to thrive in offbeat roles, and here, he dials it up to eleven as the shaman. His scenes with Skarsgård give the movie an odd, almost mythic feel, and the mentor-student dynamic between them adds a strange heart to the story.
Where Boy Kills World stumbles is in its pacing and focus. It’s so devoted to its style that it often forgets about the story, which ends up feeling thin and almost secondary. The film tries to make up for this by throwing in flashbacks and oddball side characters, but they don’t quite flesh out the world as much as they add to the sense of surrealism. This lack of narrative depth will be a drawback for some viewers, as it’s hard to feel genuinely invested in Boy’s journey when we’re never given much insight into his world beyond the immediate violence. The movie leans heavily into its aesthetic, which is mesmerizing but occasionally exhausting. There’s a sense that the film doesn’t quite know when to slow down and let its characters breathe.
The film also has a darkly humorous edge, with moments of absurd comedy breaking up the otherwise grim tone. Some of these jokes land well, adding to the film’s unique style, while others feel more jarring, almost as if the movie is trying to balance too many tones at once. It’s a tricky line to walk, and while it mostly works, the tonal shifts may leave some viewers feeling whiplash.
At its core, Boy Kills World is an experience—a raw, visceral dive into a world where logic is secondary to sensation. If you’re looking for depth, this might not be the movie for you. But if you’re up for a fast-paced, unapologetically bizarre action flick that thrives on its own weirdness, Boy Kills World will likely leave you entertained. The fight choreography is slick, and the cinematography is inventive, with the camera moving almost as fast as Boy himself, which amps up the energy. You can tell the film was made by a team unafraid to push boundaries and embrace chaos.
In the end, Boy Kills World is one of those movies that’s hard to rate in a traditional sense. As a cohesive story, it doesn’t entirely hold together, but as a visual spectacle and a piece of escapist entertainment, it’s refreshingly bold. It’s the kind of movie you watch not for the plot, but for the sheer thrill of seeing something different. It’s flawed, messy, and sometimes over-the-top to the point of absurdity, but that’s also what makes it fun. It’s not for everyone, but for those who enjoy their action movies a bit weird and wildly unfiltered, Boy Kills World is a chaotic blast worth checking out.