A Review of 'How to Make a Killing': A Missed Opportunity for Black Comedy | AP News
'How to Make a Killing' is a film that aims to capture the essence of a classic black comedy, but falls short of its ambitions. The movie follows Glen Powell's character, Becket Redfellow, a working-class man seeking to reclaim his inheritance through murder. The inspiration for this premise is clear: the iconic Ealing comedy 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', where Alec Guinness portrayed multiple relatives in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
While Glen Powell has previously played a shape-shifter in the assassination comedy 'Hit Man', the tonal balance of that film is notably absent in 'How to Make a Killing'. The movie fails to capture the biting farce and chilling darkness that define the genre. John Patton Ford's direction and Powell's performance lack the signature glibness and edge that could have made the film work.
The story centers around Becket, who, after an early flashback, is destined to confront his father, Whitelaw Redfellow, played by Ed Harris. This setup is intriguing, but the film's tone remains flat and unengaging. Becket, the narrator, is curiously uninteresting, and his descent into serial killing lacks the necessary tension and dark humor.
The plot unfolds as Becket, facing unemployment, seeks to eliminate the cousins who stand to inherit the family fortune. His motivation stems from his mother's advice and a chance encounter with his childhood crush, Margaret Qualley, who humorously challenges him to kill three or four people. The film offers a glimpse into the lives of the ultra-rich, featuring a cast that includes Topher Grace, Bill Camp, and Raff Law.
Among the forgettable cast, Noah Redfellow, played by Zach Woods, stands out as a painter who compares himself to 'White Basquiat'. However, it is Jessica Henwick's performance as Becket's girlfriend that truly elevates the film, adding a layer of warmth and doubt to the protagonist's motives.
Despite Ford's previous success with the thriller 'Emily the Criminal', 'How to Make a Killing' fails to connect contemporary class themes with a gritty narrative. The film's release timing is also unfortunate, as it follows Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice', a sensational satire about killing to get ahead. With a two-star rating, 'How to Make a Killing' falls short of its potential, leaving audiences with a missed opportunity for a compelling black comedy.
