HOW TO MAKE A KILLING (2026)

Genre: Comedy/Thriller
Director: John Patton Ford
Cast: Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, Ed Harris
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence and Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 19 March 2026

Synopsis: Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

Movie Review:

When the credits rolled for How to Make a Killing, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, which also stars Glen Powell instantly came to mind. Both movies are crime comedies yet the latter fares better than the former. That is not to say How to Make a Killing is a bad movie, it’s just moderately entertaining.

John Patton Ford’s self-written directorial effort stars Powell as Becket Redfellow, whose mother is exiled from her ultra-rich family for running away with a man deemed unworthy of her. Although Becket is still entitled to the family fortune, there are seven relatives ahead of him in the inheritance line, meaning he must outlive all of them before seeing any money. Thus, he hatches a plan — to get rid of all seven of them, starting with Taylor Redfellow (Raff Law) and Noah Redfellow (Zach Woods).

How to Make a Killing begins as a dark crime comedy — supposedly violent, with a dash of psycho-serial-killer energy. In reality, however, Ford plays it very safe, so safe that you begin to wonder if the concept is ever going to work. We soon discover that Becket’s plans are merely so-so and ridiculously plain-sailing. His victims are easily disposed of without much of a hitch and even if you choose not to take things too seriously, the outcomes still feel underwhelming.

There are also the laughable recurring appearances of two FBI agents who show up to conduct routine interrogations of Becket. Amazingly, these encounters lead nowhere, which further illustrates the problem: the stakes may seem high but the results are not.

Fortunately, Ford delivers a few compelling and colorful supporting characters. Topher Grace appears as a pastor with questionable values and morals. Margaret Qualley plays Julia, Becket’s childhood crush who harbors an ulterior motive of her own while Jessica Henwick appears as Becket’s true love interest. Veteran Ed Harris also has a small role as the menacing family patriarch, Whitelaw Redfellow, who predictably faces off with Becket in the finale.

Honestly, without Glen Powell in the lead role, How to Make a Killing might not work at all. Powell’s charisma carries much of the film. He is likable, easy on the eyes, and does his best to convince the audience despite the somewhat shallow plotting.

How to Make a Killing could have been a sharper satirical take on generational wealth, human greed and nepotism. Sadly, these themes remain largely surface-level. Even the killings occur off-screen and feel inconsequential. It’s not that the movie is outright bad, but overall it feels like a missed opportunity.

Movie Rating:

(A charismatic Glen Powell stars in this slick crime comedy that ultimately lacks depth and wit)

Review by Linus Tee