How to Make a Killing – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 15th of March 2026
Studiocanal presents a film by John Patton Ford
Screenplay by John Patton Ford based on ‘Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal’ by Roy Horniman
Produced by Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin
Starring: Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris
Cinematography Todd Banhazl
Edited by Harrison Atkins
Music by Emile Mosseri
Rating: M
Running Time: 110 minutes
Release Date: the 5th of March 2026
In How to Make a Killing, Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, a prisoner sentenced to death row for murder. Hours before his planned execution, he confides with a priest on his imprisonment. When he was a child, his mother told him he was part of the Redfellow family, resulting in his position in a large inheritance. She became an outcast after it was known she was pregnant with Becket and lived on her own. She cared for Becket with the same treatment and privilege he would have received if he had been born into wealth.
As an adult, Becket is working as a lowly suit salesman. Serendipitously, Becket’s childhood friend, Julia Steinway (Margaret Qualley), comes back into his life, married and wealthy. The two still share an unrequited attraction, which sparks something inside Becket. After being released from his job, he makes the Redfellow inheritance his sole purpose. To attain it, he must take out the competition.
How to Make a Killing is the latest film from director John Patton Ford, best known for the well-received social crime thriller Emily the Criminal (2022). His films share some story DNA. They both involve lead characters fighting for what they financially deserve, which means How to Make a Killing is promising. It also includes a talented cast, including Powell, Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris, Bill Camp, and Topher Grace. Does the film make a killing or does it sink stone dead?
Positively, cinematographer Todd Banhazi shot the film on digital with the intention of resembling 35mm film. Similarly, Jo Katsaras’ great costume design brings out a vintage sheen. The luxury sleek feel emphasises subtlety over garishness and conveys how wealth bleeds throughout.
Meanwhile, the cast all bring charisma and sharp timing to their roles, with all making positive impressions, including comedic standouts like Woods as a supposedly starving artist and Grace as a renowned pastor. Harris steals the film with his late appearance as the Redfellow patriarch.
Qualley is wealth exemplified. Dressed in opulent clothing, she vamps up a storm and lights up the screen so brightly, smoke alarms in the cinema might trigger. Henwick is artistic ambition exemplified. She is welcoming and amiable and plays a schoolteacher who has high aspirations for creativity.
Beneath the charm and flash of the cast and design lies a problem. The lack of indecisiveness from Powell’s character means the film itself cannot decide on what it aims to achieve. The dark comedy consistently hit low targets (rich in wealth, poor in intelligence, bereft in humanity) but only delivers snickers at best.
The drama lacks escalation and conviction due to its predictable nature and abrupt tone shifts. The film also lacks surprises or attempts to subvert the audience’s expectations. Ford takes a surprising swing in its third act as Qualley’s character comes into play. Unfortunately, the film ends with a leaden inevitability that could have been predicted from its title.
Worst of all is Powell’s performance. While he delivers easily on the comedy, he lacks the skills to convey Becket’s dramatic depth and turmoil as he wrestles with what a “good life” is. Powell’s genial presence also makes it hard to believe Becket would be capable of such despicable acts.
Overall, How to Make a Killing is a lacklustre effort at making a dark comedy. It makes the “eat-the-rich” genre feel old hat as it lacks the killer instinct and sharp bite to stand out.
Summary: This is a lacklustre effort at making a dark comedy. It makes the “eat-the-rich” genre feel old hat as it lacks the killer instinct and sharp bite to stand out.
2.5
Mixed
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