They Will Kill You (2026): Where Was It Filmed? Cape Town Doubled as a Sinister NYC High-Rise — Here’s How

New York City. A mysterious high-rise. A satanic cult. And Zazie Beetz refusing to go down without a fight. The surprising part? None of it was actually filmed in New York.

They Will Kill You is one of 2026’s most talked-about horror-comedies, and the story behind its filming locations is almost as interesting as the film itself.

They Will Kill You Production Facts

The Film: A Housekeeper. A Cult. No Escape.

They Will Kill You follows an ex-convict who answers a job ad to work as a housekeeper at The Virgil, a mysterious New York City high-rise, not realizing she is entering a community that has seen numerous disappearances over the years. IMDb

The action horror-comedy stars Zazie Beetz as Asia Reaves — a woman who assumes a false identity to take the job, only to discover the building is home to a cult that tries to sacrifice her. Asia appears tougher than expected and fights back to save her life. Think Ready or Not meets Die Hard, with a dark comedic edge.

The supporting cast includes Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham, Myha’la, Tom Felton, and Paterson Joseph — giving the film some serious acting firepower.

Where Was It Actually Filmed?

Despite being set in New York City, principal photography took place entirely in Cape Town, South Africa from late 2024 through December 2024. The production used a mix of real local buildings for exterior shots to establish the New York setting, while constructed interiors and sound stages housed the majority of the action — which unfolds almost entirely inside the single building.

The director explained: “We built the first floor that we stitched to a real building, and we built our own doors and interior of The Virgil. Because the movie is so action-heavy — including rain, water that floods everything, fire effects, and snow — we needed the sets to be almost like LEGO where we could just remove one wall.”

This modular, controlled approach is precisely why Cape Town has become one of the world’s most sought-after international film production hubs — offering experienced crews, modern infrastructure, and significant financial incentives for overseas productions.

How Did It Perform?

They Will Kill You premiered at SXSW on March 17, 2026, before its wide theatrical release on March 27, 2026. As of March 29, 2026, the film has grossed $9 million at the box office. IMDb Reviews have been mixed — critics have praised Beetz’s committed performance but found the overall execution uneven. Still, for fans of blood-soaked horror-comedy chaos, it delivers exactly what it promises.

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