Have you ever wondered what happens when you are the disowned grandson of a dynasty worth billions? How To Make A Killing, directed by John Patton Ford, explores this exact question. From the early trailers it was clear How to Make a Killing was going to be unique, particularly in terms of genre. The film is a fantastic combination of thriller and comedy. This hybrid genre makes How to Make a Killing appealing to a wide variety of audiences, it's not too dark nor is it too comedic it is a perfect balance between the two. But is it a thrilling ride or does it fall flat? Read on for my full review.
Glen Powell is at his most charming as he takes on the lead role: Becket Redfellow. Powell's charisma oozes on screen, in what might be one of his best performances. The film starts when Beckets mother Mary (Nell Williams) falls pregnant at age sixteen, is disowned by her father Whitelaw (Ed Harris) and leaves behind her privileged lifestyle rising Becket as a single mother until her early death. Mary's death catapults the film forward with Becket starting to wonder what would happen if he removed his cousins and uncles from the line of succession. Could he get away with the killings? and if he succeeded would he inherit the family fortune? Mary's words to Becket that he should never quit until he has the life he deserves, run through the narrative, forcing audiences to wonder what the true meaning of the words are until the very conclusion. Where the unconventional ending adds an interesting layer to the whole film, making a second viewing essential.
Its short run time of 1 hour 45 mins feels perfect, keeping spectators engaged throughout without taking them on too much of a wild ride. This nice pacing makes it an easy, enjoyable watch. Its compact nature is perfectly split between the past and the present with no unnecessary filler. Joining Glen Powell on screen is Margaret Qualley who plays villain Julia a childhood friend of Becket, Qualley's performance is manipulative and exciting. Although it is a struggle to understand Julia's true motivation, the dynamic between Becket and Julia is reminiscent of a tug-of-war game. Ed Harris' Whitelaw looms over the narrative, but once on screen he delivers a standard performance. Then there are the outlandish cousins: Noah (Zach Woods), Steven (Topher Grace) and Taylor (Raff Law) all of whom are stereotypical characters but enjoyable to watch. The styling and music are great, the back and forth splits in the sorry interesting. It's a well-crafted film, even if it isn't groundbreaking.
There are a few elements that let the film down. Whilst the genre hybrid style is great, the film could have lent more to the comedy side, with more outlandish deaths and more intentional jokes. That would have made for a more entertaining film ,but it would have undermined the message. The other minor issue is the family tree, it is never fully clearly shown on screen. Bot detract very little from the overall enjoyment.
Overall, How to Make a Killing is a fantastic comedic thriller. Glen Powell is at his most charming. The ending whilst unconventional adds an interesting layer to the whole film, meaning a second watch would be as compelling as the first. It's a unique film, that fills a market gap!
4 Stars.
Thank you for Reading x
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