A24’s latest dark comedy, How to Make a Killing, stars Glen Powell as Becket Redfellow, a man seeking to reclaim his family fortune by eliminating his wealthy relatives. The film explores Becket’s complex motivations, rooted in his mother’s ostracization from their ultra-wealthy family after his birth. This mix of revenge and dark humor unfolds as Becket embarks on a deadly mission to take back what he believes is rightfully his.
The movie also features Margaret Qualley as Julia, Becket’s childhood friend and a persistent voice of doubt, alongside Jessica Henwick portraying Ruth, who represents a grounded and cautionary presence in Becket’s chaotic world. Supporting roles include Ed Harris, Topher Grace, Zach Woods, Bill Camp, Bianca Amato, and Raff Law, all playing various relatives targeted by Becket. This ensemble cast navigates a narrative that balances making Becket both a sympathetic figure and the audience’s desire to see his affluent, often unlikable, family members face consequences.
Glen Powell Explains How He Makes Becket a Relatable Character
Glen Powell discusses the intentional choices behind portraying Becket Redfellow as a likable protagonist despite his violent actions. Powell explains that his approach was grounded in identifying universal emotions that connect people, such as feelings of injustice and complicated familial relationships.
“Whenever I look at any [role], I just look at, ‘What’s the universal thing that makes anybody relatable? What bonds people together?’ Anybody who’s watching the movie has experienced the idea of not getting what you deserve, or of feeling slighted by the world. I think we all feel that to a degree. Everybody’s got a little bit of a bone to pick, and our relationships with our parents are very complicated.” Glen Powell
Powell highlights the pivotal influence of Becket’s mother, whose expulsion from their wealthy family and final words to Becket drive much of his motivation. The themes of loss and perceived unfairness resonate deeply throughout Becket’s story, providing a foundation for audiences to empathize with him despite the lengths he goes to.
“We can relate especially to the loss of his mother, especially the way that she sends Becket off into the world when she passes. The idea of, ‘Get what you deserve,’ is sort of a weird thing that echoes. When people who mean a lot to you pass, those [last words] become their defining truths, and that’s the relationship that meant the most to him in his life. So, her words do become this call to action, for good or bad – mostly bad – and it’s a very interesting study.” Glen Powell
Powell credits the collaborative discussions among the cast and crew for helping to anchor the film’s absurd premise in emotional reality. This focus on grounding the story helped bring out nuanced performances that elevate the film beyond a traditional dark comedy.
“That’s why having the conversations with the whole cast about what this movie’s about – what it’s kind of driving towards, and how to ground it in all of its insanity – helped. That’s why everybody put in so much work to try to make this thing work, and it’s really great. I’m really proud of it.” Glen Powell
Examining the Film’s Most Realistic and Outlandish Characters
Beyond Becket’s ruthless quest, How to Make a Killing features characters who provide contrast in tone and worldview. A central relationship is the one Becket shares with Ruth, played by Jessica Henwick, who chooses a simpler, less materialistic path. Henwick reflects on her connection to Ruth’s perspective through her own experiences grappling with the distractions of fame and industry pressure.
“It helps that I feel like I was going through a similar journey in my life, wondering what I really want to do at the core of this craft. What is it that appeals to me, and how do I get back to that? It can be really easy to get messed up in the noise of this industry, so I felt like I could really relate to her trying to scale back.” Jessica Henwick
Henwick also explains Ruth’s complex feelings toward Becket, revealing that Ruth’s resistance stems from having once been entrenched in a lifestyle similar to his.
“Why is she blind to Becket’s perspective? Because she’s been him. I think it’s not that she’s blind, it’s that she was him before. She was part of that hustle culture, trying to become someone in fashion, and she saw that down that path lies only misery.” Jessica Henwick
On the opposite end of the character spectrum is Topher Grace’s portrayal of Pastor Steven J. Redfellow, a flamboyant megachurch leader whose exaggerated confidence and salesmanship provide a striking contrast to the film’s darker undercurrents. Grace shares his fascination with figures who claim to have life-changing answers for others.
“Before I even knew this film existed, I’ve had a fascination with people who get out in front of the world and say, ‘I know how to make your life better.’ I mean, barely anyone can make their own lives livable! So, to say, ‘I’m going to tell you how to solve all your problems,’ is crazy. That’s not even just religious leaders; it could be self-help gurus or anyone. So, I’ve always had a fascination with people like that.” Topher Grace
Grace also enjoyed the challenge of blending his character’s charisma with the darkly comedic elements of the plot, especially in scenes where his role intersects directly with Becket’s violent plans.
“And then, on top of that, to have it in this scene where we’re both kind of trying to murder each other? When I first talked with John, the director, I was like, ‘Give me a shot, Coach. I know it’s just a very small part of the film, but it will be the most fun I’ve ever had on film.’ And it kind of was.” Topher Grace
Which Redfellow Family Member Would the Cast Spare?
The film’s premise involving Becket’s systematic elimination of his relatives prompted ScreenRant to ask the lead cast which family member they would save if given the chance. Glen Powell and Topher Grace discussed the tension between their off-screen friendship and their characters’ fates.
“Oh, man. Obviously, Topher and I are pals. I didn’t want to kill you. I just had to.” Glen Powell
“Thank you. It felt like an accident, how I died.” Topher Grace
Jessica Henwick expressed admiration for Raff Law’s character, Taylor, viewing him as a redeemable and youthful member of the Redfellow clan deserving of a second chance.
“Raff [Law]’s character, Taylor. I’d spare Taylor. He’s just young. He’s just young and dumb. He’ll grow out of it!” Jessica Henwick
Powell echoed praise for Law’s performance, comparing a memorable karaoke scene to a classic movie homage and highlighting Taylor’s charm.
“I will say, watching Raf in the karaoke scene was like watching a Jude Law impression. It was incredible. There were so many moments like that, because he’s wearing Sperrys and button-downs. It was such a Talented Mr. Ripley send-off, which was unbelievable. He’s also charismatic as hell and just the sweetest kid.” Glen Powell
“Yeah, save him.” Jessica Henwick
“We’ll save him.” Glen Powell
As How to Make a Killing continues to play in theaters, the film offers a unique blend of sharp humor and dark storytelling, driven by a cast that skillfully navigates moral ambiguity. Glen Powell’s ability to make a killer like Becket compelling and rooted in relatable emotions may redefine audience expectations for antiheroes in comedy.
