A24’s Ambitious Thriller Struggles at the Box Office: Glen Powell Faces Second Consecutive Flop

How ‘How to Make a Killing’ Missed the Mark: An In-Depth Analysis

A24 arrives on cinema screens with ‘How to Make a Killing’, a darkly comic thriller that attempts to revive a 77-year-old classic for a new generation. Inspired by the legendary ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets,’ the film spins a tale where Glen Powell’s protagonist embarks on a murderous journey through his own wealthy family, hunting down his inheritance in ruthlessly satirical fashion. With John Patton Ford in the director’s chair and a cast featuring Margaret Qualley and Jessica Henwick, the film drew the eye of both genre fans and lovers of twisted black comedy.

Underwhelming Debut for a High-Profile Cast

Despite the star power — Glen Powell is no stranger to hits with titles like ‘Anyone But You,’ ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ and ‘Twisters’ to his name — the film’s domestic opening sent ripples of concern through industry circles. Early projections suggest a $3.3 million box office bow across 1,625 theaters, placing it at a modest sixth on the weekend chart, trailing behind titles like ‘Send Help’ and ‘Crime 101.’ Notably, every film ahead of it claimed a wider release, yet A24’s reputation is built on strong per-theater performances, regardless of rollout scale.

The A24 Formula: Why Didn’t It Work This Time?

A24’s unique distribution magic often turns limited releases into buzzworthy hits. The studio boasts an impressive record of 11 films in the Top 100 and seven in the Top 50 for highest-grossing per-screen averages of all time. Recent A24 favorites such as ‘Marty Supreme’ and ‘We Live in Time’ set the bar high both critically and commercially with opening per-screen averages soaring well above $46,000. Yet ‘How to Make a Killing’ is poised for an average of just $2,031 — a steep drop for the indie titan that usually sets the art house circuit ablaze.

Critical Divide and Audience Apathy

Why did ‘How to Make a Killing’ struggle to find its audience? Part of the answer lies in its split critical response. Reviews landed at a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating divisive opinion among critics. While the premise brims with dark humor and classic intrigue, execution appears to have underwhelmed both genre loyalists and mainstream audiences, diluting its word-of-mouth potential.

Glen Powell: A Star at the Crossroads

This weak performance arrives hot on the heels of another Powell project that underdelivered: the Stephen King adaptation ‘The Running Man,’ which failed to recoup its reported $110 million budget worldwide. As a result, Powell’s recent track record is shadowed by two back-to-back disappointments — a sharp contrast to his earlier career trajectory.

What’s Next for Glen Powell and the Creative Team?

Despite this setback, Glen Powell has proven versatility and remains sought after by major directors. His upcoming slate includes a J.J. Abrams feature, as well as untitled projects from industry giants like Ron Howard and Judd Apatow. With these promising collaborations on the horizon, the industry is keenly watching to see if Powell can break the current slump.

The Changing Tastes of the Box Office

The underwhelming box office of ‘How to Make a Killing’ highlights the unpredictable state of modern theatrical releases. Studios like A24 continue to bet on unique voices and boundary-pushing stories, but even in the era of algorithm-driven recommendations and streaming competition, star power and clever legacy remakes don’t guarantee box office gold. For movie lovers and insiders alike, this latest A24 effort is a case study in how even the boldest films need both critical and audience enthusiasm to thrive in today’s landscape.