Movie Review: The Things You Kill

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Screened at Stockholm International Film Festival 2025

This crime thriller starts strong with an interesting idea, a great lead actor, and a clever script, but takes a big risk with a surprising twist that could either make or break the story.

The Things You Kill is a suspenseful crime thriller written and directed by Alireza Khatami. It follows a university professor whose mother dies unexpectedly, and who becomes convinced foul play was involved. Driven by grief and suspicion, he hires a stranger to help him get revenge on those he believes are responsible. The film opens with the son realizing something doesn’t seem right about the events surrounding his mother’s death, setting the stage for a thoughtful and brooding investigation.

As he struggles with problems at home, he starts to suspect something more sinister is happening. The story begins well, drawing you into his life gradually and creating a compelling mystery, especially surrounding his relationship with his father. We see him juggling a fragile job, a difficult marriage, and the demands of his farm, giving us a clear picture of his complicated and painful life.

The story takes a turn when a mysterious newcomer arrives at the farm, offering so many helpful ideas that he quickly gets hired. Like the movie Strangers on a Train, the plot is sparked by an outsider presenting an unexpected opportunity. The Things You Kill playfully explores the writing advice of letting go of your favorite ideas, even if it’s difficult. The first half of this crime drama is particularly gripping, thanks to a powerful performance by Ekin Koç as Ali, whose motivations and inner turmoil create a tense atmosphere throughout the film.

Be warned: this review contains spoilers! The film takes a surprising turn with a sudden change in actors, a bold move that, while interesting, is quite disruptive. Like what happened with Heath Ledger’s role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, this cast swap creates challenges. The shift is sudden, and the film relies on the audience accepting it, much like the twist in Fight Club. However, unlike Fight Club, where the reveal happens towards the end, this film’s twist occurs halfway through. This is similar to The Place Beyond the Pines, which essentially splits into two separate stories.

“Kill your darlings, darling.”

While the change in characters isn’t visually jarring, it’s unsettling because it clashes with the carefully built logic of the story. The other characters’ uncritical acceptance of this shift feels odd, suggesting the film may have faced problems during production – perhaps due to an actor’s passing or disagreements about the story. This bold move does offer a new perspective, but it ultimately feels inconsistent and weakens the narrative. A major issue is that Ekin Koç’s strong performance creates a noticeable drop in energy when Erkan Kolçak Köstendil unexpectedly takes over the role.

Discovering that everything you believe about reality is wrong – like a twisty version of Freaky Friday – is incredibly unsettling. This film starts as a slow, thoughtful crime drama with a lot to say about society, but the sudden shift in reality throws off the pacing. While disruptive, it also creates some beautiful, reflective moments as the movie tries to find a new direction and rhythm.

This new idea might be too disruptive for some viewers, ultimately detracting from the impact of The Things You Kill. However, those who appreciate bold choices may find it engaging and skillfully done, adding a layer of complexity. It would be a mistake to dismiss it as simply a trick to mislead the audience, as it reflects a clear artistic intention.

Whether you’ll enjoy The Things You Kill largely depends on how you react to a particularly controversial element. The film starts strong, resembling a classic social crime drama with moments of humor and beautifully shot scenes. However, the second half becomes uneven and risky, and a sudden shift in direction and unsatisfying ending could ultimately ruin the promising start.

The bottom line: Discordant

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2025-11-24 18:43