Why Don’t You Just Die! is a film that most certainly earns its bombastic title. After the opening brawl, which covers the first ten minutes or so, any normal person would probably meet their maker. However, the world that Russian writer/director, Kirill Sokolov, has constructed here is one that feels like it’s ripped from the same cloth as the Tom And Jerry, or perhaps more appropriately, Itchy & Scratchy. It’s a hyperviolent and cartoonishly bloody affair where characters endure extreme punishments to the human body, and while it will absolutely not be everyone’s cup of tea, I had a total blast with it.
The film hits the ground running with young Matvei (Aleksandr Kuznetsov) going to the apartment of a brutish, crooked detective Andrei (Vitaliy Khaev), the father of his girlfriend, Olya (Evgeniya Kregzhde) with the intent to kill him after she instructed him to do so . Unfortunately for Matvei, Andrei is big, imposing presence, and the plan goes haywire pretty much instantly. What proceeds is a series of bloody carnage and confrontations involving Andrey and Matvei, which are further complicated by intrusions of folks who have their own motivations for ill will against the detective.
Seemingly inspired by the sort of quirky and darkly comedic crime films that defined a lot of mid-to-late 90s cinema, Sokolov brings a sense of playfullness that is infectious. From the kinetic camera work, to the lively score, and irreverent asides, the film builds upon a somewhat familiar tonal foundation, and creates something that definitely feels distinct. And that distinction goes double when it comes to the violence, which might give something like Timo Tjahjanto’s The Night Comes For Us a run for its money. There’s a relentless energy that keeps the film engaging and free from any semblence of monotony, though that could still end up being the case for those who might find the gruesomeness hard to stomach.
As the film goes on, there are some turns and flashbacks that give further context to certain story elements, but the plot itself isn’t what ultimately makes the film what it is. It is 100% the fight sequences. Utilizing buckets of blood and hefty sound design, each punch, kick, and gun blast packs a hell of a punch, and effortlessly gets a reaction out of the viewer. And as the action continues, you do find yourself surprisingly invested in the situation, even when the motivations are sometimes unclear or rely on a heightened sense of logic.
The performances are solid enough to keep you engaged with the characters, though no one in particular shines above the rest. Kuznetsov brings a very deer-in-the-headlights quality to his performance that makes it easy to empathize with him as he gets brutalized throughout the film. Khaev brings a delightfully deranged vibe that totally works with the kind of atmosphere that I imagine Sokolov is trying to create here. Kregzhde does a wonderful job at keeping you guessing about her character, and other folks like Elena Shevchenko and Michael Gor bring some much needed humanity to the story.
Why Don’t You Just Die! is a ton of fun, and the kind of movie that begs to be seen with a bunch of rowdy friends looking to have a good time. It’s a stylishly crafted and ultraviolent splatterfest that keeps you guessing with each swerve that the story takes and each hit the characters receive. I’m not entirely sure if there is all that much under the surface, perhaps the relentless violence is meant to be a funhouse reflection of the dog-eat-dog world of Putin’s regime, but it doesn’t quite dwell on that enough to make it land. But still, it works where it counts, and it works incredibly well. I look forward to seeing whatever Kirill Sokolov has in store next.