Glen Powell leads the cast of the dark comedy How To Make A Killing, a 2026 film written and directed by John Patton Ford that draws inspiration from the 1949 British movie Kind Hearts and Coronets. The story follows Becket, a man with a complicated connection to the wealthy Redfellow family, as he embarks on a calculated quest to claim his inheritance through a series of murders. Combining dry humor with a biting critique of class and greed, the film offers an unexpected take on the kill-the-rich genre.
A Complex Family Legacy and a High-Stakes Inheritance
The film opens with Becket, played by Glen Powell, sitting in jail and speaking to a priest while awaiting execution. Through Powell’s narration, audiences are taken on a journey through Becket’s troubled life, revealing his ties to the Redfellow family, whose billions he could inherit through a convoluted trust. However, the challenge is that he has never met any of the Redfellows because his mother was disowned by the family after falling in love and becoming pregnant. The family patriarch, Whitelaw Redfellow (portrayed by Ed Harris), has been unyielding in denying support to Becket’s mother.
Although rejected by the wealthy family, Becket’s mother ensured he received a proper education, learned to play the piano, and practiced archery, preparing him to move in high society circles. Following her death and subsequent time in foster care, the adult Becket is introduced working at a suit tailor shop in New York City. Despite his modest middle-class life, a chance encounter with his childhood crush Julia Steinway, played by Margaret Qualley, rekindles his longing for something more.
Becket’s Deadly Plan to Claim the Redfellow Fortune
Faced with his stalled life, Becket resolves to murder the seven Redfellow relatives who stand ahead of him in the line for inheritance. What begins as a straightforward plot to obtain wealth turns into a darkly comedic spree marked by precision and subtlety. Unlike a typical revenge thriller, the murders focus on manipulating minor mistakes in the victims’ lives, resulting in “accidents” that obscure Becket’s hand and keep blood off his conscience.
Despite careful planning, complications arise as unforeseen events spiral, and someone starts piecing together Becket’s actions. His efforts to maintain perfect alibis are upended by love, natural causes, and his relentless desire to secure his legacy, ultimately confining him in an inescapable predicament.
Glen Powell’s Standout Performance Elevates the Film
How To Make A Killing showcases Glen Powell in a role that marks a new peak in his acting career. Unlike his previous work in blockbuster titles such as The Running Man, Twisters, and Anyone But You, this film allows him to demonstrate his range as an actor. Balancing dry humor, vulnerability, and charm, Powell delivers a performance that is at once funny, pathetic, and captivating. The film’s comedic tone bears resemblance to Hit Man, though Powell’s role here gives him broader room to explore emotional depth and complexity.
His portrayal brings an endearing quality to a character who is otherwise ruthlessly ambitious, making it difficult for viewers to hate Becket even when the body count rises. Powell’s appeal lies in his ability to be both likable and flawed, embodying a man driven by circumstances beyond just greed but also by a deep-seated sense of entitlement inherited from his mother’s dreams.
Supporting Cast Brings Unique Flavors to the Story
The ensemble cast surrounding Powell strengthens the narrative, although many characters meet early ends. Ed Harris as Whitelaw Redfellow anchors the family patriarch role, while Zach Woods and Topher Grace notably shine as two of the doomed Redfellow heirs. Woods portrays Noah Redfellow, an eccentric artist living with his girlfriend Ruth (Jessica Henwick), whose naivety and antics bring comedic relief. Grace plays Pastor Steven J. Redfellow, a corrupt megachurch figure whose unethical behavior adds to the satire of wealthy elites.
The Redfellows themselves embody exaggerated traits often associated with privileged nepo babies, reinforcing the film’s critique of inherited wealth and entitlement. This portrayal taps into a cultural frustration with those who succeed merely by birthright while bred into decadence and incompetence. As such, the audience finds it easier to sympathize with Becket’s quest since the victims represent a class seen as undeserving.
Romantic Relationships Challenge Becket’s Priorities
Jessica Henwick’s Ruth acts as a grounding presence, illustrating that happiness and contentment can exist outside the pursuit of riches. Ruth’s character consistently reminds Becket—and the audience—that life’s value is not solely defined by wealth, showing him acceptance regardless of his financial status or living conditions. However, this message is complicated by the film’s broader commentary on greed and class, which suggests that social structures relentlessly push individuals toward accumulating power and money.
In contrast, Margaret Qualley’s Julia Steinway represents Becket’s past desires and the world he aspires to join. Their rekindled relationship is laced with tension, as Julia’s ambition and vanity clash with Becket’s changing mindset. Her presence serves to both motivate and derail Becket’s plans, acting as a foil who embodies the seductive yet toxic nature of wealth and status.
Exploring Themes of Class, Greed, and Moral Ambiguity
How To Make A Killing does not frame itself as a moralistic tale about the evils of money or the virtues of killing the rich for societal good. Instead, it zeroes in on one individual’s relentless pursuit of inherited wealth, highlighting that the promise of happiness through money is often intertwined with misery and sacrifice. The recurring line,
“Don’t quit until you are living the life you deserve,”
encapsulates Becket’s mindset throughout the film, underscoring a harsh ambition lacking deeper self-reflection or growth.
Becket’s narration provides exposition but offers little insight into his emotional evolution, emphasizing that his journey is less about breaking down barriers and more about assimilating into the very class system that rejected his mother. His path to join the one percent is paved with violence and moral compromise, reinforcing the film’s fatalistic view of wealth acquisition.
Ultimately, Becket is not portrayed as a hero or a moral figure; he is a driven individual whose success comes at a high cost. His inability to pretend to be good highlights the corrosive nature of greed and the emptiness often accompanying wealth. The film’s nuanced approach leaves the audience pondering the complexities of ambition, privilege, and the human cost behind static class structures.
Why How To Make A Killing Resonates Despite Its Dark Tone
Although the movie does not deliver the cathartic kill-the-rich story that some may expect in today’s social climate, it presents a sobering look at the intertwined nature of wealth and unhappiness. Moments of doubt and misery visit Becket, but his fixation on the Redfellow fortune drives him forward unrelentingly. The dark comedy blends sharp humor with unsettling realities, creating a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
How To Make A Killing owes much of its impact to the strength of its performances, notably Glen Powell’s engaging lead role. His combination of dry wit and emotional vulnerability makes the film distinct in tone and style, appealing to viewers who appreciate a more nuanced, character-driven story. With a strong supporting cast and a sharp script, the movie stands out among recent releases as a unique exploration of class and ambition.
How To Make A Killing will be released in theaters beginning February 20, 2026, offering audiences a chance to experience this dark and witty narrative firsthand. The film already garners an 8/10 rating from early reviewers, signaling a promising reception as it reaches wider audiences.
