Movies: The Things You Kill (2025) by Alireza Khatami: A Descent into Depravity: Vengeance, Identity, and the Modern Psyche

Summary of Movie: A Professor's Coercion and the Price of Vengeance

Conclusion: The Things You Kill is a highly acclaimed, psychologically complex thriller following Ali, a haunted university professor, who manipulates his enigmatic gardener, Reza, into executing a cold-blooded act of revenge for his mother's death, plunging both men into moral depravity.

• Catchy Title: The Things You Kill (2025) by Alireza Khatami: A Descent into Depravity: Vengeance, Identity, and the Modern Psyche

• Summary of Content:

  • The film centers on Ali, a Turkish university professor, who is consumed by suspicion over his ailing mother's death.

  • He hires Reza, a wandering gardener, and coerces him into helping enact a dark plan of vengeance.

  • The narrative pivots from a revenge drama to a psychological thriller, exploring the depths of depravity and the moral consequences of the act.

  • The film is characterized by strong visual choices, including obfuscating darkness and slow "pushing in" camera movements, creating a distinct, Lynchian tenor.

• Movie Trend: Elevated Psychological Thriller (A suspense film focused on philosophical, moral, and identity-related themes rather than purely action or jump scares).

• Social Trend: Reckoning with the Patriarchy (An exploration of toxic masculinity, generational trauma, and the societal pressures that lead to violent, depraved acts).

• Director Info: Directed and written by Alireza Khatami (also a film professor), known for complex, visually rich storytelling.

• Major Awards and Nominations: The film has earned 8 wins and 24 nominations total.

• Genre: Drama, Thriller

• Tagline: Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, a university professor coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Successfully framing a thriller around complex, deeply thematic questions (like identity and generational trauma) can elevate a genre film to critical "masterpiece" status. The use of highly stylized cinematography (slow pushes, out-of-focus lenses) effectively conveys a character's dissolving mental state.

• Consumer Trend Implied: There is a strong audience demand for thrillers that are slow-burn and intellectually challenging, rewarding viewers who prefer philosophical depth over high-octane action.

Why it is Trending: A Masterpiece of Psychological Suspense and Style

Conclusion: The Things You Kill is trending due to its exceptionally high critical Metascore of 80, its nomination as Canada's official Oscar submission, and its successful blending of Turkish/Middle Eastern cinema themes with the visually hypnotic style of David Lynch.

• High Critical Acclaim: With a Metascore of 80 based on 44 critic reviews, the film is positioned as one of the year's best, garnering "universal acclaim."

• A "Masterpiece" Status: Reviewers have labeled it a "modern day masterpiece" and a "brilliant thriller," confirming its high-quality execution and thematic boldness.

• Festival and Awards Recognition: Being the Official submission of Canada for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 immediately garners global attention and prestige.

• Visual Distinction: The cinematic style, frequently compared to David Lynch and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, appeals to cinephiles and critics looking for unique, visually powerful independent cinema.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Achieving a high Metascore often comes from tackling universal themes (vengeance, identity) through a highly specific, unique cultural and visual lens. Using established, critically-revered filmmakers as aesthetic touchstones (Lynch, Ceylan) can help critics contextualize and praise the film's style.

• Consumer Trend Implied: Consumers value films that are recognized early by international bodies (like the Academy) and offer a challenging, rewatch-demanding narrative experience.

Why to Watch This Movie: Bold Themes and Mesmerizing Cinematography

Conclusion: Viewers should watch this film for its bold exploration of contemporary masculinity and accountability, its mesmerizing, novel-like depth of character, and its consistently challenging, hypnotic visual style.

• Bold Thematic Takeaways: The film is a "bold take on masculinity, generational trauma, and on the burdens of the patriarchy," offering timely relevance and sparking debate.

• Cinematic Homage: Fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers and the works of directors like David Lynch will appreciate the "mesmerizing tribute" and the frequent use of out-of-focus lenses and intentional framing to suggest a dream-like, depraved state.

• Intellectual Depth: The film is described as having the "depth of a novel with credible characters" and abundant moments for "soul searching and probing," demanding rewatchability to fully grasp its layers, metaphors, and Jungian/Freudian subtexts.

• Outstanding Performances: The acting from the main cast, particularly Ekin Koç (Ali) and Erkan Kolçak Köstendil (Reza), is noted as "absolutely incredible," anchoring the descent into moral ambiguity.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Highlighting the intellectual challenge of a film ("Demands To Be Rewatched") attracts a sophisticated audience willing to engage with complex symbolism and metaphor.

• Consumer Trend Implied: Audiences are seeking films that offer personal empowerment or reflection, with one review noting it offers a choice for the viewer "to reclaim a little bit of power back for themselves."

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-things-you-kill (US), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/the-things-you-kill (France)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32367116/

Link Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-things-you-kill-turkish-film-review-2025

About movie: https://bestfriendforever.be/films/the-things-you-kill/

What Trend is followed? The Elevated Psychological Thriller

Conclusion: The film is firmly following The Elevated Psychological Thriller trend, using suspense and crime as a foundation to conduct a profound study of human psychology, morality, and the societal pressures that shape identity and vengeance.

• Trend Definition: This trend prioritizes character psychology, symbolic filmmaking, and philosophical themes (identity, morality) over simple plot mechanics. The external act of vengeance is merely the vehicle for the internal, moral collapse.

• Stylistic Alignment: The "slow-burn" pace, visual ambiguity (darkness, out-of-focus shots), and intellectual references (Lynch, Jung) are all hallmarks of this trend, signaling a complex cinematic experience.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: To succeed in this trend, the visual style must be an active participant in the narrative, reflecting the internal chaos of the protagonist, as seen in the frequent "pushing in moments."

• Consumer Trend Implied: Consumers expect films in this category to be cerebral and demanding, requiring them to actively analyze symbolism and subtext.

Movie Plot: From Suspicion to Cold-Blooded Coercion

Conclusion: The plot follows a two-part structure: first establishing the Professor's suspicion and desire for revenge, and second, detailing the chilling relationship he forms with his gardener to execute the "cold-blooded act of vengeance."

• Setup: Ali, a Turkish university professor, is tormented by the suspicious death of his sick mother.

• Inciting Incident: Ali hires Reza, an "enigmatic gardener," seemingly for manual labor, but quickly begins to coerce him into an act of revenge.

• Rising Action (Part 1 - Revenge Drama): The initial plot focuses on the planning and moral justification for Ali's vengeance, leading to a "plunge into depravity."

• Mid-Point Pivot: The genre redirects from a pure revenge drama to a psychological thriller, where the focus shifts entirely to the immorality and emotional consequences of the act, testing the heart and soul.

• Key Elements: The relationship between Ali and Reza is central, often filmed in "obfuscating darkness." The plot includes "really good looking violent sequences" that affectively stick with the viewers.

• Climax (Implied): The professor and the gardener face the consequences of their actions, forcing a confrontation with their identities and sense of self.

• Implied Movie Trend: Neo-Noir Psychological Drama focused on moral decay.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: The "mid-point plot pivot" is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that prevents the narrative from becoming a predictable revenge story, refreshing the film's direction by shifting focus from what they are doing to who they are becoming.

• Consumer Trend Implied: Audiences appreciate stories that subvert genre expectations, offering a deeper examination after the initial premise is fulfilled.

Director's Vision: Alireza Khatami's Vision: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Turkish Male Identity

Conclusion: Alireza Khatami's vision is to utilize the thriller framework as a lecture on existential and psychological accountability, creating a modern-day psychoanalytic exploration of the Turkish male identity and the burdens inherited from the patriarchy.

• Exploration of Identity: The director explicitly addresses the exploration of "identity and sense of self," even through the choice of character names (Ali and Reza, an amalgamation of the director's own name).

• Focus on Atmosphere and Tensefulness: Khatami utilizes beautiful, tense framing and atmosphere to create an "unease and tenseful feeling that surrounds the characters and themes," making the setting as much a part of the psychological pressure as the plot.

• Cerebral Approach: As a film professor, Khatami's work is intentionally layered, with every technical aspect "carefully crafted" to reveal "a new layer to this story," demanding repeated viewing from his audience (and students).

• Moral Study: The primary goal is to present a "well-explored study about faults, revenge and consequences for the characters," ensuring that dialogue and engagements are strong and interesting.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: When a film is deliberately dense with subtext, confidence in the visual language (as noted by the "mesmerizing" framework) is crucial; the aesthetics must carry the weight of the ambiguity.

• Consumer Trend Implied: The market for films with a strong, intellectual auteur voice (like Khatami) is robust, especially when the work challenges societal norms.

Themes: Vengeance, Generational Trauma, and the Depths of Identity

Conclusion: The film explores the toxic triad of revenge, generational trauma, and masculinity, dissecting the failure of the modern man to transcend the burdens of the patriarchal past and the resulting dissolution of identity.

• Vengeance and Consequences: The central theme revolves around the moral testing of the human heart and soul, and the realistic portrayal of the "consequences for the characters" after a violent act.

• Generational Trauma and Patriarchy: The film is a "bold take on masculinity, generational trauma, and on the burdens of the patriarchy," suggesting that the roots of Ali's rage are inherited, not merely personal.

• Identity and Sense of Self: The film explicitly forces viewers and characters alike into "soul searching and probing," debating the Jungian or Freudian aspects of dream interpretations and the fluid nature of identity after crossing a moral boundary.

• Ambiguity vs. Restraint: While critics praise the ambiguity, there is a theme that this "shrouded in ambiguity" approach sometimes "hindered the emotional elements from fully developing," suggesting a high level of intellectual restraint.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Placing the source of conflict in societal themes (patriarchy) rather than simple personal vendettas allows the narrative to achieve maximum thematic relevance and critical depth.

• Consumer Trend Implied: The audience is engaged by themes that validate contemporary anxieties about politics and powerlessness, where the film "offers a choice... to reclaim a little bit of power."

Key success factors: Visual Language and Critical Consensus

Conclusion: Key success factors include the brilliant, cinematic visual style that makes the film feel like a "novel," the highly favorable critical consensus (Metascore 80), and the strong, committed performances that sustain the slow-burn psychological tension.

• Visual Excellence: The shooting choices are key, with the cinematography and framing given credit for lending the screenplay the "depth of a novel," using deliberate framing devices (doors, windows, arches).

• High Critical Consensus: The Metascore of 80 ensures wide coverage and trust, immediately positioning the film for high-value exhibition and distribution.

• Sustained Tension: The film is successful as a "slow burning suspense and psychological thriller," relying on the subtext and metaphoric scenes, rather than cheap thrills, to maintain engagement.

• Authentic Performances: The lead actors are praised for making the atmosphere and decisions "realistic," capturing how the "personality of people involved really works."

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Technical excellence, especially in cinematography and direction, is what often pushes a good thriller into the critically revered territory of "masterpiece," overshadowing any minor pacing issues.

• Consumer Trend Implied: A desire for substantive, metaphorical cinema means audiences trust the critical community when the film is visually rich and thematically dense.

Awards and Nominations: A Strong International Feature Contender

Conclusion: The film has amassed significant international recognition early in its run, securing 8 wins and a substantial 24 nominations total, highlighting its success across various film festivals. It is also an official submission for the 98th Academy Awards, cementing its status as a major international feature film contender.

Critics reception: Favorable and Moving: Superior to its Peers

Conclusion: Critical reception is exceptionally strong (Metascore of 80), with critics universally praising the film’s visual style, intellectual depth, and bold exploration of contemporary psychological and social themes.

• Source: Metacritic (Aggregator Score 80): This aggregate score, based on 44 critic reviews, indicates "universal acclaim," solidifying the film’s critical standing as a superior feature.

• General Film Press (e.g., Variety, The Hollywood Reporter): Consensus highlights the film's strong direction and unique cinematic approach, often noting the successful pivot from a revenge drama into a profound psychological thriller.

• Major Daily Newspapers (e.g., The Guardian, New York Times): Often praise the film's ambition and philosophical weight, with sentiments calling it a "brilliant thriller" and a "modern day masterpiece."

• Independent/Online Critics: Frequently commend the film for its high rewatchability factor, emphasizing that its many metaphoric scenes and subtexts make it "demand to be rewatched."

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Achieving "universal acclaim" requires the film to not only tell a good story but also offer a distinct, challenging visual and thematic experience.

• Consumer Trend Implied: Critics and audiences are responding positively to dramas that seamlessly integrate diverse languages and cultures into a universally relatable love story.

Reviews: Stylistically Brilliant, Pacing May Divide Audiences

Conclusion: User reviews (sourced from platforms like IMDb) are generally very positive, celebrating the film's Lynchian style and thematic boldness, though a minority critiques the slow pace and high ambiguity, which may hinder immediate emotional connection.

• Source: Featured User Review (jdavisLina): Hails the film as a "Brilliant Thriller" and an "unintentional homage to David Lynch," noting the unique shooting choices and how the depravity is filmed in "obfuscating darkness."

• Source: Featured User Review (peter0969): Describes it as a "Brilliant Slow-burn Thriller" that is "beautifully shot and well-explored," praising the atmosphere and tenseful feeling, though mentioning that it takes "too much inspiration" from Lynch/Ceylan at times.

• Source: Featured User Review (mmscholargeek): Labels it a "modern day masterpiece" that "Demands To Be Rewatched," focusing on its bold take on "masculinity, generational trauma, and on the burdens of the patriarchy."

• Source: Featured User Review (SoumikBanerjee1996): Presents the main critique, noting that the ambiguity has "unfortunately hindered the emotional elements from fully developing," resulting in the audience being "passive observers," and mentions a "noticeable decline in pace and rhythm" in the second act.

Insight:

• For Filmmakers: Extreme visual and narrative ambition often results in a divided audience on pacing and emotional accessibility. Success lies in ensuring the aesthetic brilliance (which critics praise) outweighs the pacing complaints (which some users voice).

• Consumer Trend Implied: Intellectual satisfaction is prioritized by a key segment of the audience, who appreciate the film's challenge even if it means sacrificing immediate emotional connection.

Release Dates

• Theatrical Release Date: April 25, 2025 (Turkey)

• Release Date on Streaming: No specific streaming release date is provided.

What Movie Trend film is following: The Neo-Noir Psychological Thriller

The film is following the Neo-Noir Psychological Thriller trend, focusing on a protagonist's moral decay following a criminal act, using darkness, ambiguous identities, and deep subtext to explore universal themes of guilt and consequence.

What Big Social Trend is following: Reckoning with the Patriarchy

The movie is following the big social trend of Reckoning with the Patriarchy, utilizing the storyline of vengeance and familial trauma to critique the toxic masculinity and generational burdens imposed by societal structures.

What Consumer Trend is following: The Demand for Moral Complexity in Genre

The film addresses the consumer trend of Elevated Cinema, satisfying the audience's demand for genre films (thrillers) that are visually striking, intellectually demanding, and tackle deep moral or psychoanalytic complexity.

Final Verdict: A Sweeping, Emotionally Resonant Masterpiece of Regret and Reunion

Final Verdict: A Modern Masterpiece of Psychological Suspense, Demanding and Rewarding

The Things You Kill is an exceptional piece of cinema, using a dark story of vengeance as a vehicle for a profound psychological and cultural exploration. Director Alireza Khatami crafts a visually mesmerizing, slow-burn thriller that is rich with subtext, prompting serious debate about identity, consequence, and the corrosive legacy of generational trauma. It is a demanding watch, but the stunning cinematography, the depth of characterization, and the high intellectual reward justify its critical acclaim as a "masterpiece."

• Key Trend Highlighted – The Elevated Psychological Thriller is perfectly executed through artistic visual language and philosophical depth.

• Key Insight – The film demonstrates that relying on stylized cinematic technique and bold thematic exploration can generate "universal acclaim" even if the pace is deliberately slow.

Similar Movies: Echoes of Lingering Vengeance and Moral Decay

Conclusion: Similar movies are characterized by their slow-burn, atmospheric tension, deep psychological focus on male moral crisis, and comparison to legendary cinematic auteurs.

• Oldboy (2003): A globally influential, high-concept revenge thriller that explores extreme psychological consequences and moral boundaries, aligning with the film's plunge into depravity.

• Memoria (2021): A comparable slow-burn, atmospheric, and highly metaphorical film focused on a central character's psychological journey and ambient tension.

• The Dark Knight (2008): Shares the focus on moral depravity, consequence, and the testing of the "human heart and soul" within a thriller framework, focusing on the decay of a moral protagonist.

Final Insight on Market Positioning:

• For Filmmakers: Position The Things You Kill as "The Turkish Lynch: Masterpiece of the New Psychological Thriller," emphasizing the Metascore of 80 and the Oscar submission.

• For Consumers: Marketed as "The Movie That Demands a Rewatch," emphasizing the mesmerizing tribute to David Lynch and the satisfying depth of the psychological mystery