The Things You Kill

The Things You Kill

Director: Alireza Khatami
Country: Canada, Turkey, Poland, France

2025 | 113 min. | Turkish
Subtitles: German, English

Cast_ Ekin Koç, Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Hazar Ergüçlü, Ercan Kesal Screenplay_ Alireza Khatami Camera_ Bartosz Świniarski Producer_ Elisa Sepulveda-Ruddoff, Cyriac Auriol, Mariusz Włodarski, Alireza Khatami, Michael Solomon Rights_ Best Friend Forever

Canada’s Oscar submission, filmed in Turkish, is a thrilling psychological drama about family strife and is reminiscent of David Lynch.

Until now, Ali (Ekin Koç) has been caring for his sick mother alongside his job as a university lecturer, his marriage and his work in the garden. When his mother dies unexpectedly, Ali suspects his chronically unfaithful, domineering and authoritarian father of being responsible for her death. His investigations bring buried family secrets to light. At the same time, he meets Reza (Erkan Kolçak Köstendil), an enigmatic individual who initially distracts him from his desire for revenge. Then his father vanishes and Ali rapidly loses control of everything.

This whirlwind of guilt, delusion and family strife draws us in so deeply that we cannot hope to escape it.

Director

Alireza Khatami is an award-winning author, director and producer who lives in Canada. His background (Khamse tribe, Iran) has enabled him to create a unique style that combines magical realism and a commitment to social issues. His debut film, ›Oblivion Verses‹, received several awards at Venice in 2017; his second film, ›Terrestrial Verses‹ (directed together with Ali Asgari) was critically acclaimed at Cannes.

Trailer

Screenings