When a celebrated indie studio remakes a beloved black comedy from the 1940s, expectations run high — and that’s precisely why How to Make a Killing matters now. Released in 2026, the film arrives amid renewed interest in dark, character-driven thrillers, but it struggles to justify its existence alongside the classic it borrows from.
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The original film, Kind Hearts and Coronets, set a high bar with its caustic wit and a tour-de-force performance by Alec Guinness, who played multiple members of a single aristocratic family. That mix of sharp satire and inventive filmmaking is the shadow this remake never quite escapes.
Director John Patton Ford arrived with momentum after his breakout work on a tightly wound crime drama that critics embraced; the pedigree promised something confident and surprising. Instead, the new film often feels cautious — polished in craft but short on the sly inventiveness and emotional texture that would have made it feel necessary rather than merely competent.
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Glen Powell leads as Becket Redfellow, a man driven to lethal extremes by a childhood marked by stigma and resentment. Powell commits to the role, but the script offers few opportunities for the kind of unpredictability that would have elevated his character beyond a familiar revenge arc. By contrast, Margaret Qualley supplies the film’s most magnetic moments as Julia Steinway, Becket’s old friend and possible romantic interest; her presence brings warmth and the rare spark of genuine connection here.
At times the movie lands its lines of dark humor and nails visual flourishes, but those flashes don’t cohere into a sustained voice. Pacing slackens in stretches that should have tightened suspense, and the moral ambiguity central to the story rarely feels consequential — the revenge motive is clear on paper but undercut by a lack of dramatic urgency on screen.
Where it works — and where it doesn’t
The film is watchable and will likely hold viewers for its runtime, but it seldom surprises.
- Direction: Confident technical choices but an uneven tonal register.
- Lead performance: Powell does solid work but is constrained by the material.
- Supporting cast: Qualley stands out; other actors provide serviceable support.
- Comparison to the original: Lacks the satirical bite and originality that made the 1940s film enduring.
- Audience takeaway: A mildly enjoyable dark comedy for casual viewing, but not a must-see for cinephiles.
The practical consequence for viewers is straightforward: if you’re drawn to A24-style provocations or the novelty of a modern riff on a classic, this will pass the time. If you hoped for a reinvention that justified retelling the story for a new generation, the film is likely to disappoint.
Ultimately, How to Make a Killing feels like a respectable but forgettable entry in this year’s lineup — competent craftsmanship with only a few memorable beats. It’s out in theaters now; consider it a modest evening’s entertainment rather than a necessary addition to the canon.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.