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The Things You Kill

Play trailer Poster for The Things You Kill 2025 1h 53m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 43 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance. As long-buried family secrets resurface, the police tighten their noose, and doubts begin eroding his conscience. Ali has no choice but to look into the abyss of his own soul.
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The Things You Kill

The Things You Kill

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Critics Consensus

A ruminative thriller that brings life or death stakes to deeply existential questions, The Things You Kill is a marvelous work by writer-director Alireza Khatami that stimulates the mind as much as it punches the gut.

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Critics Reviews

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Soham Gadre Chicago Reader Dec 2
Khatami’s direction is unpredictable. He cuts at precise moments to keep the narrative’s core mystery intact, only revealing bits of shocking information later. Go to Full Review
Bob Mondello NPR Nov 21
The filmmaker's first name provides a not-insignificant clue as to what's going on, as his filmmaking deconstructs the story and his protagonist in initially confusing, and then riveting ways. Go to Full Review
Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com Nov 14
3.5/4
An unnerving character study that often borders on thriller territory, "The Things You Kill" is a psychologically intense piece of genre filmmaking. Go to Full Review
Carla Hay Culture Mix Jan 3
The Things You Kill is a twist-filled psychological drama about the harmful effects of domestic violence on a family. The movie has a character switch that will confuse many viewers, but it's a dark story about denial and leading a double life. Go to Full Review
Filipe Freitas Always Good Movies Dec 28
3/5
Spiraling and twisting without arriving at anything truly revelatory, The Things You Kill won’t make you sweat—its surreal dimension adding too little substance to justify its ambitions. Go to Full Review
Mel Valentin ScreenAnarchy Nov 24
While Khatami’s gifts as a narrative and visual storyteller are never in doubt, he’s equally adept at drawing exactly what he needs from his performers. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Robert S Dec 23 I suppose some will see this exercise in existentialism fascinating. I found it confounding and unnecessary. Two-thirds of the way through the film, actors playing one role switch to assume a different role. And one actor becomes a substitute for a dog. Tiresome and over-thought. See more Vincent S @Vin_E_At_The_Movies Dec 17 This is a little overrated but still a compelling revenge thriller with a story that gets you involved in the plot and all the characters. I do think halfway through the story crumbles a little but the performances are outstanding! See more Ian S Nov 12 Truly beautiful, I did get a little confused midway through but ultimately a most rewarding experience. See more Read all reviews
The Things You Kill

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Movie Info

Synopsis Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance. As long-buried family secrets resurface, the police tighten their noose, and doubts begin eroding his conscience. Ali has no choice but to look into the abyss of his own soul.
Director
Alireza Khatami
Producer
Elisa Sepulveda Ruddoff, Cyriac Auriol, Mariusz Włodarski, Alireza Khatami, Michael Solomon
Screenwriter
Alireza Khatami, Alireza Khatami
Distributor
Cineverse
Production Co
Fulgurance, Remora Films, Lava Films, Tell Tall Tale, Band With Pictures, Sineaktif
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Turkish
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 14, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 53m
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