Bill Skarsgård’s Journey from “Boy Kills World” to “The Crow”
Bill Skarsgård is poised for a cinematic resurrection, transitioning from the darkly comedic “Boy Kills World” to the highly anticipated remake of “The Crow.” Moritz Mohr’s directorial debut, “Boy Kills World,” serves as a prelude, showcasing Skarsgård’s capacity for portraying vengeful characters driven by the loss of loved ones.
A Mute Avenger’s Quest
The film opens with Boy, a character living in the jungle, undergoing rigorous training by a shaman (Yayan Ruhian). His ultimate goal: to assassinate Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), the woman responsible for the deaths of his mother and sister. Boy is deaf and mute, his inner monologue voiced by a gruff, video game-esque persona. However, his path to becoming a lethal weapon is complicated by visions of his deceased sister, who appears at inopportune moments.
Bill Skarsgård as Boy in “Boy Kills World”
“Boy Kills World”: A Blend of Action and Dark Humor
“Boy Kills World” initially sets a high bar, positioning Skarsgård alongside Rutger Hauer in “Blind Fury”—both are driven by vengeance and physical limitations, weaponizing themselves. However, Mohr opts for a comedic tone, with Boy’s internal voice delivering either overly dramatic pronouncements or simplistic jokes. At times, his inner self defines his state using dictionary definitions, a nod to his jungle upbringing where reading was his only pastime besides intense training. The film seems inspired by “Deadpool,” initially appearing as unhinged and comical, but ultimately less skilled than Hauer and more naive than the Merc with a Mouth.
Bill Skarsgård as Boy in “Boy Kills World”
The Antagonists Steal the Show
Unfortunately, Boy’s plight fails to evoke genuine sympathy, even with a final plot twist. The Van Der Koy family, however, proves more compelling. Hilda’s dictatorial rule over the city has become a burden for her family. She orchestrates televised trials of “enemies of society,” randomly selecting victims from the populace while she remains paranoid in her bunker. Meanwhile, the other Van Der Koys possess untapped talents: security chief Benny (Isaiah Mustafa) should be a screenwriter, Melanie (Michelle Dockery) is a brilliant PR strategist, and her husband Glen (Sharlto Copley) simply needs therapy.
Bill Skarsgård as Boy in “Boy Kills World”
A Flawed but Entertaining Spectacle
The film lacks a clear explanation for Hilda’s takeover and her relentless pursuit of enemies. “Boy Kills World” is an amoral, predictable mess, with humor that often resorts to juvenile trolling. Its main draw is the visceral combat, reminiscent of Mortal Kombat’s X-Ray mode, with the director reveling in the depiction of broken bones. Dev Patel’s recent directorial debut, “Monkey Man,” shares thematic similarities but is more polished, detailed, and stylish. Both films feature an elevator scene where the protagonist embraces rage, but that’s where the similarities end, aside from the initial revenge motive.
Sam Raimi’s role as producer seems to add little beyond a recognizable name and a specific color palette. While “Boy Kills World” has fleeting moments of interest, such as the unexpected use of a Buryakovsky play in a comedic scene, it’s not enough to satisfy discerning viewers. The concept of weary antagonists who have lost their enthusiasm for villainy doesn’t sufficiently elevate the revenge narrative. Ultimately, “Boy Kills World” is a mediocre comedic action-slasher with a “so bad it’s good” vibe, exploring the consequences of a paranoid antagonist’s actions.