Netflix has closed a $20 million deal on Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man”, so far, the biggest deal stemming from the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Linklater’s screwball noir premiered at Venice to rave reviews, it then went on to screen at TIFF to more glowing notices. Deadline is hearing that there is a theatrical component to the deal. No word yet on when it’ll get released.
What does it say about the current status of the movie industry that the two biggest deals out of TIFF have been from Netflix, the other one being the $11 million sell for Anna Kendrick’s “Woman of the Hour.”
Netflix is the only studio actively buying films at these film festivals. I wouldn’t be surprised if they snatch up a few more TIFF titles in the days to come. The other studios are dormant, in a sort of wait-and-see approach.
“Hit Man” stars Powell (“Top Gun: Maverick”) as Gary Johnson, a police staff investigator who plays the role of a hit man to catch individuals ordering a hit. He ends up falling hard for Madison (Adria Arjona) whom he talks out of a hit on her abusive husband.
This was a surprisingly sexy noir from Linklater. It kept messing with my head as characters switched identities, and lies upon lies got piled up. It’s also darkly funny. Powell’s shape-shifting performance is a career booster, but I must also mention Adria Arjona as the femme fatale — she’s stunning. Her chemistry with Powell in this film is electric.
I’m so happy for Linklater, who keeps proving, time and time again, that he’s one of the best and most under-appreciated filmmakers in American cinema. “Hit Man” is another addition to one of the strongest and most impressive filmographies around.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.