‘How to Make A Killing' Lands Mediocre Reviews — Eat-the-Rich Satire Feels Played Out

Originally titled “Huntington,” A24’s “How to Make a Killing,” directed by John Patton Ford and starring Glen Powell, has a man fighting for his inheritance via murder. It’s a familiar plot, and it’s not too surprising to learn that it’s inspired by Robert Hamer’s 1949 classic “Kind Hearts and Coronets,” starring Alec Guinness. However, this latest tackling is darker, slightly more comedic, more modern, and sadly, boring.

The film, which was shot in July 2024, co-stars Margaret Qualley, Ed Harris, and Topher Grace, and it comes to us from Ford, who previously directed “Emily the Criminal,” starring Aubrey Plaza, which became a big hit on Netflix in 2022 after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. That film was made on a scant budget of just $2M.

The budget is bigger in “How to Make a Killing,” and gone is the gritty feel of “Emily the Criminal.” Instead, we get a rather slick pitch coaled comedy that, with the embargo now lifted, has resulted in mediocre reviews for the film — a 56 on Metacritic. The delays do make sense, as do the reshoots, and the fact that it’s being released at such a dead time in the calendar year.

Powell — who is quite good here — plays Becket Redfellow, a man who was disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family and now wants his share of their billions. He’s motivated by resentment — and, of course, the money — which leads him to eliminate the seven relatives ahead of him in the line of succession, using any means necessary to secure what he believes is rightfully his. Along the way, he reconnects with an old friend — Qualley’s Julia — whose provocations nudge him deeper into this murderous plan — and really, who wouldn’t kill for Qualley? That’s the least implausible thing about this film.

In essence, what we have here is a morality tale: “How to Make a Killing” is filled with attempted humor and calculated provocation. Sure, it’s stylish and confidently made by Ford, but its eat-the-rich themes now feel overly familiar in post-“Parasite” cinema, which has had so many of these 1% satires that it’s become a whole genre in itself.

The tone here is odd, wavering between satire and cool detachment, which ultimately makes for a frustrating watch. It feels like, the entire way through, Ford is trying to find the right shape for his film, but never truly gets it right.

“How to Make A Killing” is set to hit screens on February 20.