The Things You Kill Review: An Intense Psycho-Drama on Revenge and Existentialism That Develops Gradually

At the outset of The Things You Kill, Ali’s partner, Hazar, recounts a haunting dream. In the dream, she finds herself at Ali’s parent’s house, shrouded in night, with the interior stripped of all furnishings. The calm is shattered by a loud banging at the front door, where she discovers Ali’s father, covered in blood and bruises, amidst the cacophony of barking dogs echoing through the silence. This surreal scene resonates throughout the film, contributing to its profound emotional effects.

The Things You Kill unfolds as a subtly disturbing drama, meticulously exploring themes of identity, fatherhood, and revenge. While its execution is restrained, the narrative artfully subverts the audience’s expectations regarding Ali, his family dynamics, and their surrounding environment.

A Deep Dive into the Heart of The Things You Kill

A Masterful Blend of Surrealism and Depth

Ali converses with Hazar in The Things You Kill

Returning to Turkey, Ali is caught between nurturing his ailing mother and hoping to conceive a child with Hazar. There are subtle hints of past domestic abuse from his father, Hamit, towards his mother. Following her death, Ali’s suspicion of his father’s involvement grows, leading to a strained exchange of sharp words filled with grief and anger.

In stark contrast to his father’s domineering presence and his siblings’ fiercely resilient natures, Ali, characterized by his meekness, grapples with the immense burden of impending fatherhood. Conceiving a child proves challenging due to his low sperm count, a truth he kept hidden from Hazar. Additionally, the oppressive legacy of his father’s actions looms heavily over him, exemplified by the giant portrait of Turkey’s founding father that adorns the entrance of his workplace.

Ali steps out of his car in the mountains in The Things You Kill

Ali seeks refuge from these mounting pressures in his family’s garden, located at the city’s edges. However, the arrival of Reza disrupts his solitude. This newcomer starkly contrasts with Ali—he’s brash, unapologetic, and unafraid to assert himself in pursuit of his desires, even at Ali’s expense. When Reza aids Ali in seeking vengeance against his father, it triggers a psychological journey, compelling Ali to confront the deep-seated issues he’s long evaded.

The narrative could have easily descended into a predictable path, but writer-director Alireza Khatami skillfully crafts pivotal scenes that evoke disorientation and uncertainty. The connection between Ali and Reza becomes apparent as their dual identities reflect those of Ali’s father, revealing layers of complexity within their characters.

Although The Things You Kill may appear to merely be a revenge story, it transcends this simplicity through its innovative storytelling and thematic depth.

The film prompts profound inquiries into the nature of our identities: can we truly disentangle ourselves from the horrors inflicted upon us as well as the repercussions of our retaliatory actions? A poignant moment occurs late in the film when Ali discusses his decision to study in America. The camera focuses intently on his face but blurs slightly during his monologue, conveying a sense of dissociation from his past experiences. This narrative choice reinforces the idea that we often don’t realize our true capabilities until faced with our darkest selves. For Ali, this realization brings both alleviation and dread as he uncovers the lengths he will go to protect those he loves.

The Things You Kill made its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

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