How to Make a Killing: Glen Powell’s New Dark Comedy Thriller Ignites Fierce Debate Between Audiences and Critics

Glen Powell Returns in A24’s Ambitious Crime Thriller

How to Make a Killing, the latest crime thriller from A24, puts Glen Powell front and center as Beckett Redfellow — the spurned outsider of a massively wealthy family with secrets and a cutthroat inheritance. Under the vision of writer-director John Patton Ford, this film dares audiences to step into the shoes of a charismatic antihero whose mischievous charm carries echoes of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, blending the thrill of black comedy with a stylish, high-stakes plot of familial betrayal.

Classic Story, Modern Edge: Rooted in Iconic Cinema

This isn’t just another tale of dysfunctional families and greed; How to Make a Killing is loosely inspired by the revered 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets, itself an adaptation of Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel. The result is a razor-sharp update, exploring the darkly comic ‘eat the rich’ theme with a contemporary bite. From the outset, Beckett’s journey involves a meticulously sinister plot: eliminate every relative blocking his path to fortune. But this modernized retelling injects a visual flair, making full use of digital cinematography to render Beckett’s escapades with slick, neon-lit art direction and electric tension.

The Rotten Tomatoes Dilemma: Viewers vs. Critics

The divide between critical reception and audience enthusiasm is impossible to ignore. Critics gave the film a lukewarm reception, landing it at 47% on Rotten Tomatoes with complaints about inconsistent pacing, a forced narrative, and a noticeable deficiency in humor. Despite these points, theatergoers are finding the film wildly entertaining, voting their appreciation up to a robust 75%. This stark 28-point gap makes How to Make a Killing one of Powell’s most polarizing projects since his earlier rom-com ventures, reflecting the changing priorities of modern moviegoers who embrace bold twists and morally complex protagonists.

Glen Powell & Ensemble: Casting That Elevates the Genre

Powell’s performance as Beckett is magnetic — a blend of dark charm and calculated menace. Fans of sophisticated thrillers will also appreciate the supporting roster: Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, and Topher Grace inject energy as the eccentric, hapless, and suspicious members of the Redfellow dynasty. This line-up, paired with a screenplay that embraces both homage and subversion, lends the film an unpredictable energy that has Twitter and film forums abuzz.

Box Office Realities vs. Streaming Potential

Despite rousing reactions from cinema audiences, How to Make a Killing is currently facing stiff competition at the box office, pulling a modest $3.3 million during its opening weekend and only landing in the top 10. With a sizable $40 million budget, these numbers might spell trouble for A24 from a business perspective, especially as other releases monopolize attention in theaters. Still, word-of-mouth support and the aesthetics of the film position it as a strong candidate for viral success when made available via streaming platforms — following A24’s proven strategy of letting risky, visually inventive projects find cult status online.

What Sets This Thriller Apart?

What’s drawing such spirited conversation isn’t just the narrative’s homage to classic cinema or its update for the digital age. Audiences are reacting to the film’s unapologetic style: slick editing, sharp use of color, and a soundtrack that keeps the adrenaline high, all tied together by Powell’s performance. Plus, the social commentary — however divisive — feels directly aimed at today’s fractured cultural moment, touching on issues of privilege, alienation, and the hunger for validation and retribution in the age of social media. It’s a movie that’s both deeply referential and unmistakably of the moment.

Anticipating Glen Powell’s Next Chapter

While How to Make a Killing navigates its box-office fate, Powell isn’t slowing down. Buzz is already building for his next big-screen venture, The Great Beyond, directed by J.J. Abrams and featuring a high-profile cast including Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson. Fans can expect another ambitious genre entry later in 2026, keeping Powell in the spotlight and anticipation high for future box office rebounds.

How to Make a Killing is now screening in select theaters; digital and streaming release dates are anticipated soon. This is one for fans of sharp satire, cinematic homage, and antiheroes on the edge.