Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, a blue-collar New Yorker determined to kill his way to a massive inheritance, in the black comedy How to Make a Killing, which opens in theaters on February 20. Directed and written by John Patton Ford, the film adapts the 1949 British comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, itself inspired by Roy Horniman’s novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal, but despite a promising setup and notable cast, the movie struggles to engage audiences or deliver on its dark comedic potential.
A Promising Source Material and a Strong Cast
How to Make a Killing follows Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell), whose mother was rejected by her wealthy family at the time of his birth. Driven by resentment, Becket embarks on a methodical campaign to eliminate numerous older relatives—including aunts, uncles, and cousins—in order to seize a multibillion-dollar fortune. The story’s dark premise had the potential for incisive satire on class conflict and the ruthless dynamics of inherited wealth.
John Patton Ford, coming off the well-received 2022 thriller Emily the Criminal with Aubrey Plaza, gathers a notable ensemble cast for this project. Besides Powell, the lineup includes Margaret Qualley, Ed Harris, Zach Woods, Bill Camp, Topher Grace, and Jessica Henwick. This group provides a solid backbone to the film and echoes the vibe of an alternate reality version of a clever murder mystery like Knives Out.
Underwhelming Direction and Unconvincing Characters
Despite these strengths, the film falters under Ford’s direction, which lacks flair and stylistic energy. The visual presentation is muted, and the pacing often feels mundane. More importantly, the script fails to develop engaging characters or create emotional stakes, leaving the audience indifferent toward Becket and the numerous victims he dispatches. Even the efforts of seasoned actors such as Bill Camp and Zach Woods cannot salvage the lack of depth in the characterizations.
Ed Harris portrays the domineering family patriarch, but his performance feels detached, as if he is merely going through the motions. Margaret Qualley’s role as a mysterious femme fatale is underwritten, preventing her from fully inhabiting the character’s complexities. Glen Powell—known for his charm and previous collaborations with director Richard Linklater—appears disengaged, seemingly more focused on upcoming projects than on investing in this film’s material.
Glen Powell’s Career Trajectory and Project Choices
Powell’s recent track record has been uneven, marked by disappointments such as Edgar Wright’s The Running Man and the awkward Hulu sitcom Chad Powers. While once hailed as a rising star comparable to Tom Cruise, Powell’s string of missteps continues with this latest disappointment. His portrayal in How to Make a Killing lacks the energy needed to lift the film, contributing to an overall sense of a missed opportunity.
The Film’s Place in the Genre and What Lies Ahead
How to Make a Killing attempts to be a darkly comic tale rich with twists, but it never achieves the sharpness or humor expected from such a story. Instead, it resembles a less effective pastiche of crime comedies, leaving viewers questioning the point of the narrative and the motivations of its characters. The film’s failure to connect on emotional or thematic levels means it is unlikely to leave a lasting impression or revitalize Glen Powell’s career at this moment.
As audiences seek more engaging and innovative storytelling within the crime and dark comedy genres, How to Make a Killing serves as a caution about relying on star power or source material pedigree alone. The next projects for Powell and John Patton Ford will be critical in reshaping their trajectories and proving their strengths beyond this lackluster outing.
