UPDATE: Netflix has confirmed to me that they will be giving “Hit Man” a limited theatrical showing the week prior to its streaming debut.
EARLIER: One of the best-reviewed films of last year’s fall fests will only be released in 2024.
Judging by today’s press release, via Netflix, it doesn’t look either as though the June 7, 2024 release date given to Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” will include a theatrical showing — sacrilege! A trailer has been released for the film.
Linklater’s “Hit Man” was a critical darling at Venice and TIFF, but that wasn’t enough for Netflix to give it a proper release for this year’s Oscars. I guess Linklater’s film isn’t what you’d call token Oscar-bait, but critics might have pushed this one forward.
Netflix bought the film at TIFF for $20 million. It was the biggest deal of the festival. They also bought Anna Kendrick’s “Woman of the Hour,” for $11 million, and that one is also said to be a 2024 release.
“Hit Man” stars Glenn 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.
With “Hit Man,” Linklater cements his status one of the best working filmmakers today, his filmography says it all: “Dazed and Confused,” “Boyhood,” “Waking Life,” “Bernie,” “Everybody Wants Some,” and, of course, the ‘Before’ trilogy.
Still no distributor for "Bucking Fastard," "Alpha Gang," "The Last Photograph," "Closing Night," and "The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd." The issue seems to be quality more than a lack of willingness to buy.