Bill Skarsgård, one of eight siblings, six of whom are actors, is known for his ability to portray characters with a creepy vibe. From playing a dangerous stranger to a vampire and Pennywise the Dancing Clown in IT, Skarsgård has shown his versatility as an actor. However, in Boy Kills World, he proves that he can also excel as an action star.
In this film, Skarsgård plays Boy, a character driven by a single purpose: revenge. His target is Famke Janssen’s character, Hilda van der Koy, the head of a wealthy ruling family in a totalitarian state that conducts an annual “culling” of supposed dissidents and traitors. Boy, who has lost loved ones to these executions, is on a quest for vengeance and anyone who stands in his way becomes a target.
Skarsgård’s performance as the deaf and mute Boy is captivating, bringing a lethal quality to the character. While his portrayal is a standout, the film itself struggles to rise above its influences. With a mix of comic violence, worldbuilding reminiscent of Hunger Games, and character archetypes borrowed from various sources