Dallas Fisher

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets Snowpiercer. Now, that might not sound like something you wanted, but trust me, it is.

You still might be wondering why my brain went to that mashup, and that’s because of the inherent nature and rules of their stories. In this film, Glen Powell (Becket) is last in line to a major inheritance that he feels is rightfully his. Instead of waiting it out, he decides to take the Michael Cera route and kill all seven family members up the social class family tree. I didn’t even put it together that Chris Evans is in both movies I used as a comparison until I started this paragraph, funny. There’s also one other big comparison that mainly revolves around an actor that stars in both Snowpiercer and How to Make a Killing, but I won’t spoil that. Once you see them, you’ll know.

Getting away from comparisons, let’s talk about what works in the movie listed in the title, Glenn Powell. He comes through once again. He’s nestled himself into his own little corner of the cinema world and he seems comfortable. The comfortability mainly hinges on his ability to disguise himself as different Glen Powells, but if you continue to suspend disbelief that no one would recognize him, it works. I’ve gotta say, Glenn also has the perfect voice and cadence for a narrator and he keeps the second hand ticking in an a film that almost feels like a fucked up The Princess Bride.

I had a really good time with How to Make a Killing. I went into the press screening, which was also a Screen Unseen at my local AMC theater, knowing basically as little as the general audience did. The pace at which this movie moves might be its biggest achievement outside of the man GP. It weaves back and forth between our narrator in the present and his past which is laid out in vignette type segments. Each part has its own sense of urgency that only pulls you closer to the story emotionally. At times you’re wondering if this is the funniest movie of the year, and at others you might think you’re witnessing the greatest budding romance put to screen. At the center of it all are the surprises that keep you guessing with suspense, and corners tuck away some all time pop in performances.

Without being super violent, I’m happy with the way it handles the savagery of the plot. Some may say it fails to commit deeply to anything, but I found it worked in the style of movie it clearly wanted to be. Speaking of committing, I was hoping Margaret Qualley was more of a prevalent factor here. While she is a major player when it comes to the plot, and Glenn and herself are a fantastic duo, I wish she was seen more. I could see those two being a Gosling/Stone duo in the coming years as Qualley moves in and out of this movie like a ghost and serves as a steamy disrupter. That part I will not complain about.

How to Make a Killing executes in all the right ways. It takes the smartest approach at making a comedy fit into the thriller world. You’ll root for love, murder, and Glenn Powell. If you had ever wondered what life was like for Gary from Hit Man before that life, this might answer those questions. Not in a real way, but in a fun fictional way where every Glenn Powell character is connected. This movie is the surprise of the year so far. If you like Powell in the ways that I do, you’ll enjoy every moment of this ride.
7.8/10