In the wake of critical and commercial hits like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Hit Man,” "Anybody but You," and “Twisters,” Glen Powell appeared on a one-stop route to superstardom. But in recent months, his coronation as a certified A-lister has hit something of a snag following the largely lukewarm response to Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” and the very tepid box office returns of his new thriller movie, “How to Make Killing.”
This movie, inspired by a 1949 British film, "Kind Hearts and Coronets,” hit the big screen back in March, where it met with a shrug of the shoulders (It grossed a weak $21 million against a $15 million budget). But in today’s movie landscape, a film’s streaming debut represents a second chance to make an impression, and with “How to Make a Killing” having just been added to HBO Max, Powell’s latest movie could earn its own redemption.
As somebody who did catch this one when it was in theaters, I’m here to give you the lowdown on this new thriller that’s infused with plenty of dark humor. Just be warned, while Powell's presence is as magnetic as ever, the movie that houses his performance is more of a mixed bag.
What is ‘How to Make a Killing’ about?
Opening with Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) on death row, “How to Make a Killing” flashes back to explain how this former suit shop worker ended up in prison for murder.
Raised by a single mother, Becket is actually the illegitimate grandson of a wealthy tycoon (Ed Harris). His mom was disowned by her family after becoming pregnant in her teenage years, and on her deathbed, she told Becket that he should fight for the inheritance he “deserves.”
Due to a legal loophole, Becket stands to inherit his grandfather’s huge estate, but only if he’s the last remaining heir to the Redfellow fortune. To ensure the money comes his way, Becket sets about murdering his estranged relative and staging each death as an unfortunate accident.
Glen Powell is the reason to watch ‘How to Make a Killing’ on HBO Max
The reason to watch this thriller is in big letters on the poster: Glen Powell. The actor is the livewire that keeps this thriller engaging, and his performance is similar to the fantastic effort he delivered in 2023’s “Hit Man.” Becket is all charm and wide smiles, while he meticulously schemes to murder his arrogant and largely unlikeable relatives. His methods are obviously immoral, but you can’t help but root for Becket’s success.
Powell is clearly aware of what kind of movies he’s starring in and manages to bridge the movie’s mixed bag of tones, which leaps between satirical swipes at society’s elite and almost a screwball comedy, as Becket, for all his best efforts, is by no means a seasoned professional killer. I have a lot of problems with this movie, but at least Glen Powell is not one of them.
It’s when you look beyond Powell’s charismatic performance that “How to Make a Killing” starts to stumble. Margaret Qualley appears in a supporting role as Becket’s childhood friend, who gets entangled in the scheme and is more cunning than she first appears. This character, named Julia, is poorly written and sketched out, and is central to many of the narrative issues.
Maybe “How to Make a Killing” was the victim of poor release timing, hitting cinemas in the wake of last year’s “No Other Choice,” which sees a desperate man resort to murdering his competition for a prestigious job. Park Chan-wook’s comedy-thriller handles similar material with infinitely more skill and weaves its social commentary within its compelling plot.
When “How to Make a Killing” was in theaters, it wasn’t a movie I recommended anybody rush out to see (nor fork over movie theater ticket prices), but now that it’s on streaming, the barrier to entry has dropped considerably. Powell's performance just about makes a viewing worthwhile, even if his efforts can only go so far in exonerating the thriller’s other issues.
For more fresh additions to HBO Max this month, here’s a full guide to everything new added to the streaming service in June 2026.
Watch "How to Make a Killing" on HBO Max now
