Give "How to Make a Killing" a Shot

What would you do if you were told the only thing standing between you and 28 billion dollars were a few insufferable distant relatives? It's a situation that would cause anyone to act a little out of character, possibly even do something drastic. That is exactly the plight of Glen Powell's latest character in A24's How to Make a Killing, which despite its decent budget and undeniable star power, has had a hard time following its own titular advice both critically and commercially.

John Patton Ford's How to Make a Killing (originally titled Huntington) follows Becket Redfellow (Powell), heir to a $28 million dollar fortune if it weren't for the fact that he was conceived out of wedlock. Completely shut out from the family both socially and financially, Becket decides to murder all of the relatives who stand in his way of unimaginable wealth. The film also stars the likes of Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Topher Grace, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, and Ed Harris.

The Redfellow family in general is full of talentless, obnoxious nepo-babies, blowing their fortune on meaningless things. Becket figures why: should he be slumming it working at a department store while his relatives live like kings? Glen Powell plays Becket Redfellow with a sinister charm; a Patrick Bateman-type who believes all of his actions are justified. After all, he'll surely use the money better than them, right? The film has some real strong themes of social class, capitalism, morality, and the dim, miserable valley where they all intersect. The strongest aspects of the script are these clever societal critiques as well as the abundant comedy throughout.

Upon my first watch of How to Make a Killing I did not have any strong feelings about it. I have never been a fan of Glen Powell or Margaret Qualley's acting, but Qualley's performance as Julia Steinway fell particularly flat. This film is about people who are only successful because of their family and the filmmakers decided to cast a very famous nepo-baby in a supporting role. The irony is not lost on me. Also Glen Powell, while decent in the lead role, is essentially playing the same character he is in all of his movies. I think it's time we see some range.

Anyone who keeps up with Rotten Tomatoes will have noticed by now that How to Make a Killing is not exactly a critical darling. Despite only being out for four days, it has proved to be quite divisive; sporting a 46% critic score but a 75% audience score. While it certainly isn't a perfect movie, and I have my qualms, with time I have come to appreciate it more and find myself agreeing with the audiences more than the critics.

In the days since I have first watched How to Make a Killing, the script has grown on me quite a bit, particularly how it develops. Becket starts off the film as bitter and destitute, but as he reconnects with his ill-fated family members, he begins to rise through the ranks of the corporate world. He meets a nice girl who loves him, lives in a beautiful apartment, and has a steady job he obtained through nepotism. But it's not enough. He is so dead-set on this $28 billion dollar fortune and taking it all for himself that he overlooks what he has. Becket's life becomes what millions dream of, but his greed and tunnel-vision sabotage everything.

I took the message of this story as: great wealth attracts terrible people. Be careful what you wish for, because while money may buy temporary happiness, it will ultimately cause more problems than its worth. While I won't spoil it, I can't help but feel like this clever ending is being misinterpreted by critics who think it is glorifying wealth and violence, when that's really not the case at all.

Ultimately How to Make a Killing's message can be boiled down to "more money, more problems." While clearly not for everyone it'll make a great date night movie this upcoming weekend. Give it a shot, pun intended.