Willing to risk everything to gain an inheritance that you see as rightfully yours is one thing. To go on a murdering spree and eliminate seven estranged relatives to try and get it is another.
“How To Make A Killing” goes down this road in writer/director John Patton Ford’s second film for the big screen. It’s a sleek, stylish, slower burn of a dark comedy that scratches the surface of being a thriller. Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, a man who sets off on a killing journey to collect his inheritance after years of being shunned and forgotten about in the family.
Living on the outskirts of New York City and working a normal 9-to-5, Redfellow has the itch to scratch of wanting more. He knows someday the multi-billion-dollar estate and inheritance will be his. That is, if he lives longer than the remaining relatives on his family tree. Not only does he want the money, but there’s also the itch of revenge that lives deep inside him, wanting to get back at the family that turned his mother and him away.
“How To Make A Killing” (2026) Review | Glen Powell’s Sleek Yet Slow Dark Comedy
Glen Powell & Margaret Qualley Shine
Powell is indeed charismatic as always. He’s determined yet stealthy. Funny but serious in his actions, and overall, just delightful to watch. He almost brings an awkwardness to his character, who knows nothing about how to commit a murder. But using his instincts and drive for revenge, he decides it’s time to prune the family tree.
We can’t talk about this film without some gushing about Margaret Qualley, though. When I look back at older-style films, there are some actors who just resonate the “Movie Star” effect and presence. I think of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. There was an aura they had when they came on screen. You automatically got sucked in by their presence alone.
That’s how I feel about Qualley. When she comes on screen, you can’t help but pay attention solely to her and her words. She can steal every single second and scene away from Powell in this film. A showstopper and a beaming light in the darkest of rooms, her takeover of Hollywood will continue without a doubt.
A Cast Worth Killing For
It’s not just Glen Powell and Marageret Qualley who act their socks off. This film has others that pull you into their characters, whether they’re in it for the long haul or just a scene. Although I couldn’t stand his character, Zach Woods is extremely eccentric with his performance, giving us one of the most annoyingly good characters in the film. I respect it, even if I didn’t like him. Topher Grace and Ed Harris pull off good performances, with just a few minutes of our time. But Jessica Henwick and Bill Camp were the standout supporting characters for me. Both were excellent and held pieces of this plot together when it could’ve fallen flat just from how they delivered.
A Slower Yet Engaging Plot With Smart Direction
The plot itself is interesting enough to hold viewers in. It does move more slowly, and the action is limited, which some will not care for. But this wasn’t supposed to be a no-holds-barred revenge flick. There’s more substance to it than at the surface level, and it’s carried by the cast.
I found the storytelling of the film enjoyable, with Powell narrating in its entirety. It’s not often we get films like that anymore, and I think it adds a layer of perspective to it. It’s not just watching a film; it’s almost like an immersive audiobook of Becket Redfellow’s diary or memoir.
With a solid cast and plot direction that keeps you engaged, it’s another good A24 film. It just doesn’t quite reach the level of greatness I was hoping for, but overall, “How To Make A Killing” is an enjoyable film.
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