The new film How to Make a Killing, starring Glen Powell alongside Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, and Ed Harris, opens this Friday in Toronto theatres. Written and directed by John Patton Ford, this 105-minute dark comedy blends modern film noir elements with sharp satire, centering on Glen Powell’s morally complex character in a tale of revenge and greed.
An Unconventional Role Defines Glen Powell’s Performance
Glen Powell is known for his compelling presence when playing characters who navigate moral ambiguity. Unlike his typical parts in action or romantic comedies where he can come off as somewhat generic—a comparison sometimes drawn to Owen Wilson or a less commanding Tom Cruise—Powell truly excels in roles that demand a darker edge. In films like Hit Man and now How to Make a Killing, he displays a layered charisma, embodying characters who are sly, driven, and often unsettling. His portrayal carries the film’s black comedy, helping viewers feel complicit in cold-blooded schemes that unfold on screen.
A Modern Film Noir Premise with a Complex Protagonist
The movie’s plot revolves around Becket Redfellow, played by Powell, who is on death row and delivers a final confession to a skeptical yet somewhat understanding priest. The tension arises from Becket’s strange calmness in facing execution, hinting that he might have more control over his fate than it initially appears. His backstory reveals a turbulent family history: cast out after his mother rejected her wealthy industrialist husband, Becket’s resentment simmers beneath his vengeful facade. His motivations intertwine personal loss and a desire for the luxurious life he believes he deserves. Margaret Qualley’s character, Julia Steinway, is a childhood friend from a similarly privileged background whose ambiguous feelings toward Becket add further layers to the story.
The Film’s Inspirations and Tonal Approach
How to Make a Killing draws clear inspiration from the 1949 black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, which follows a disenfranchised nobleman’s calculated murder spree to reclaim his family’s title. However, John Patton Ford updates the narrative, forgoing the theatrical gimmick of one actor playing all antagonists and opting instead for a slick, corporate realist setting. While it shares thematic elements with Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, Ford’s movie leans more on satirical bite than stylistic finesse, resulting in a story that can feel uneven and predictable at times.
Supporting Cast Dynamics and Character Highlights
The ensemble cast includes Bill Camp as an uncle who stands out as the only relative spared from Becket’s scheme, delivering a performance rich in vulnerability and humanity. Meanwhile, Jessica Henwick portrays Ruth, a bohemian love interest related tangentially to Becket’s world, but her character’s emotional arc remains underdeveloped, hampered by the film’s constructed nature. Margaret Qualley embraces her role as a glamorous, sly femme fatale reminiscent of Jessica Rabbit, matching Powell’s intensity and adding a flashy, animated touch to the narrative.
Thematic Resonance Amid Economic Tensions
Arriving at a time marked by heightened economic disparities, the film taps into fantasies and anxieties surrounding wealth and social status. Becket’s climactic confrontation with his grandfather echoes the critical examination of extreme affluence found in movies like Eyes Wide Shut, which the film references with a knowing nod. Ford’s story does not shy away from its cynical perspective: it confronts the audience with the allure of greed and the seductive notion that crime can indeed be rewarding.
What Makes This Glen Powell Film Noir Worth Watching
Though not flawless, How to Make a Killing gains strength from Powell’s committed performance and Ford’s willingness to commit to the film’s dark humor and unvarnished social commentary. The film challenges viewers to reflect on ambition, entitlement, and the cost of vengeance within a sharply drawn modern noir framework. With its theatrical flair and calculated cynicism, it offers a distinctive addition to the genre and a platform for Glen Powell to showcase his range in morally complex roles.
