Posted on February 21, 2026 | Based on Critic Reviews, Audience Reactions & Box Office Data
What Is How to Make a Killing? The Dark Comedy Thriller Explained
How to Make a Killing is a 2026 dark comedy thriller starring Glen Powell as Becket Redfellow, a man disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family who will stop at nothing—including murder—to reclaim his inheritance. Directed by John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal), the film is loosely inspired by the 1949 British classic Kind Hearts and Coronets.
Released by A24 in February 2026, the film features an ensemble cast including Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris, Bill Camp, Topher Grace, and Zach Woods. With a reported budget of $15-20 million, it’s positioned as a mid-budget prestige thriller hoping to capitalize on Glen Powell’s rising star power following Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You.
💬 Seen How to Make a Killing?
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📊 Movie Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | February 13, 2026 (USA) |
| Studio | A24 |
| Director | John Patton Ford |
| Main Cast | Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris |
| Runtime | 116 minutes |
| Rating | R (violence, language, some sexual content) |
| Budget | $15-20 million |
Rotten Tomatoes Scores
- Critics: 51% (Mixed reviews)
- Audience: 72% (Generally favorable)
🎬 Plot Summary (No Major Spoilers)
Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) was born into one of America’s wealthiest families but disowned at birth under mysterious circumstances. Now working as a blue-collar laborer, Becket discovers he stands to inherit a massive fortune—if he can eliminate the seven relatives ahead of him in the line of succession.
What follows is a methodical, darkly comic series of murders as Becket climbs his family tree. Along the way, he romances a charming widow (Margaret Qualley) and matches wits with a determined detective (Jessica Henwick). The film asks: How far would you go for money you believe is rightfully yours?
🔬 What Critics Are Saying
Positive Reviews
- “Funny, amusing, and even gripping” — Rotten Tomatoes audience reviewer
- “Glen Powell delivers a career-best performance” — Multiple critics praise his range
- “Stylishly made old-school thriller” — The Guardian (mixed but acknowledges craft)
- “Refreshing rejection of easy caricature” — Reddit r/movies discussion
- “The cast does well, dialogue is crisp” — IMDb user review
Negative Reviews
- “A defanged Patrick Bateman wannabe” — Screen Rant (4/10)
- “Pointless remake” — The Guardian calls it redundant
- “Ends Powell’s 3-year fresh streak” — Collider notes it’s his lowest RT score since 2023
- “Lukewarm black comedy” — Mixed on tonal execution
- “Style over substance” — Some find it hollow
⭐ Performance Breakdown
Glen Powell as Becket Redfellow
Powell fully commits to the sociopathic lead, but critics are divided on whether he successfully pivots from rom-com heartthrob to cold-blooded killer. Some call it brave casting; others say he’s miscast.
Supporting Cast
- Margaret Qualley: Charming as the love interest with hidden depths
- Jessica Henwick: Steals scenes as the investigating detective
- Ed Harris: Brief but memorable as family patriarch
- Zach Woods & Topher Grace: Provide effective dark comic relief
⚔️ How to Make a Killing vs. Kind Hearts and Coronets
| Aspect | Original (1949) | Remake (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Edwardian England | Modern America |
| Tone | Witty, sophisticated | Dark, gritty |
| Lead Performance | Alec Guinness (8 roles) | Glen Powell |
| RT Score | 100% (Classic) | 51% (Mixed) |
✅ Pros and Cons
Reasons to Watch:
- ✅ Glen Powell takes a bold career risk
- ✅ Stylish direction and production design
- ✅ Strong supporting cast
- ✅ Darkly comic moments land well
- ✅ Crisp, quotable dialogue
- ✅ A24 polish and sensibility
Reasons to Skip:
- ❌ Pale comparison to the original
- ❌ Mixed critical reception (51% RT)
- ❌ Tonal inconsistencies
- ❌ Unlikable protagonist (by design)
- ❌ Violence may be too much for some
- ❌ Pacing drags in middle act
🎯 Final Verdict: Should You See It?
✅ Watch It If:
- You’re a Glen Powell completist
- You enjoy dark comedies about terrible people
- You like A24’s brand of mid-budget thrillers
- You haven’t seen the original Kind Hearts and Coronets
- You want to see Powell stretch as an actor
❌ Skip It If:
- You love the 1949 original (this will disappoint)
- You need likable protagonists
- You’re expecting Anyone But You Glen Powell
- You’re sensitive to on-screen violence
- You prefer Rotten-certified films
🏆 The Bottom Line
How to Make a Killing is a stylish but redundant remake that can’t escape the shadow of its classic predecessor. Glen Powell deserves credit for taking risks, but the film itself is a mixed bag that critics are calling “defanged” and “pointless.”
That said, audiences are responding more positively (72% RT audience score), suggesting the film works better as a disposable entertainment than as the prestige picture A24 hoped for. The supporting cast shines, and the production values are high—it’s just not particularly memorable.
Our recommendation: Watch the 1949 Kind Hearts and Coronets instead (it’s on Criterion Channel). If you’re curious about Powell’s dramatic range, catch this on streaming—it doesn’t demand a theater ticket.
💬 Seen How to Make a Killing?
↓ Share your review in the comments below ↓
Post rewritten on February 21, 2026 using Rotten Tomatoes data, The Guardian, New York Times, and audience reviews.
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