The latest film from A24, How to Make a Killing, is garnering positive reactions from audiences despite mixed reviews from critics.
In this gripping crime drama, Glen Powell stars as the black sheep of the affluent Redfellow family, playing an estranged illegitimate son. He is driven to desperate measures by the family’s complex inheritance stipulations, plotting to eliminate all his kin to claim his share.
The critical reception to How to Make a Killing has been lukewarm, with the film currently holding a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, the audience’s reception has been notably warmer, with a robust 75% approval rating, marking a significant 28-point gap between audience and critical perception. This disparity is the largest for any Glen Powell film since 2023’s Anyone But You.
Review highlights for How to Make a Killing include Powell’s charismatic performance, reminiscent of Patrick Bateman, and the film’s visually striking portrayal of the protagonist’s sinister plot. However, the film is critiqued for its erratic pacing, sparse humor, and a somewhat forced narrative concerning its critique of wealth.
Despite the audience approval, How to Make a Killing is not faring well in terms of box office revenue, earning just $3.3 million domestically over its opening weekend and securing the sixth spot behind movies like Wuthering Heights, GOAT, Send Help, Crime 101, and I Can Only Imagine 2. This marks another box office disappointment following the Stephen King adaptation, The Running Man. Deadline reports that the film was produced on a budget of $15 million by StudioCanal, with A24 acquiring the U.S. distribution rights for less than $5 million.
Nevertheless, there remains a possibility for the film to gain traction, especially on streaming platforms, propelled by Glen Powell’s star appeal and A24’s critical reputation. The film benefits from strong audience word-of-mouth, although it has not yet been announced when it will be available for digital or streaming release.
Looking ahead, Powell has potential for box office success with the upcoming release of the science fantasy film The Great Beyond in November 2026. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Merritt Wever, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The ensemble cast of How to Make a Killing includes notable actors such as Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris. The film, directed and written by John Patton Ford and produced by Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin, draws inspiration from the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets and Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal.
How to Make a Killing is currently showing in cinemas.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
