How To Make A Killing: A Dive Into the Latest A24 Crime Comedy

The cinematic landscape is constantly shifting, but few production houses have managed to capture the cultural zeitgeist quite like A24. With their latest project, How To Make A Killing, the studio leans into the dark, twisty humor that has become their hallmark. Directed by John Patton Ford—best known for his sharp debut Emily the Criminal—this crime comedy features Glen Powell in a role that promises to test both his dramatic range and his comedic timing.

For audiences searching for a How To Make A Killing NYTimes review, the anticipation surrounding the film is palpable. As the project gains traction on platforms like Letterboxd and across social media, viewers are eager to understand if the film lives up to the high-stakes premise it promises.

The Premise: A Dark Quest for Inheritance

At the center of How To Make A Killing is a narrative hook that feels tailor-made for dark comedy. Glen Powell portrays an individual who discovers he is the heir to a massive family fortune. However, there is a significant catch: he must eliminate the successors who stand in line before him. Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, the protagonist is forced to navigate a blue-collar existence until he realizes that his birthright is within reach—if he is willing to commit the unthinkable.

The film explores themes of class disparity, greed, and the moral erosion that occurs when a desperate person is given a shortcut to wealth. By framing a cold-blooded hunt for inheritance as a "crime comedy," director John Patton Ford invites the audience to laugh at the absurdity of the situation while grappling with the tension of the protagonist’s choices.

Glen Powell’s Star Power

Glen Powell has solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men. Following a string of high-profile successes, his involvement in How To Make A Killing suggests a deliberate move toward more offbeat, character-driven projects. His performance is tasked with balancing the likability required for a lead character with the moral ambiguity of a man plotting to "off" his own relatives.

Critics and fans alike have noted that Powell’s ability to pivot between intense thriller elements and dry, comedic delivery is the engine that drives this film. In an era where many studio comedies feel sanitized, a project like this stands out for its willingness to embrace darker, more provocative territory.

Why A24 and John Patton Ford Are a Perfect Match

John Patton Ford proved with Emily the Criminal that he has a knack for placing ordinary people in extraordinary, often illegal, circumstances. His directorial style is characterized by a grounded aesthetic that makes the stakes feel real, even when the plot teeters on the edge of farce. By pairing this grounded style with the backing of A24, How To Make A Killing benefits from a distinct visual identity and a commitment to storytelling that prioritizes character development over cheap thrills.

The synergy between the director’s vision and the studio’s brand is evident in every trailer and promotional still released thus far. The film feels like a natural evolution for both parties, pushing deeper into the "crime comedy" genre while maintaining the high production values that A24 is known for.

What to Expect from the Film

While formal reviews from major outlets like the New York Times are often the gold standard for film critique, the discourse surrounding How To Make A Killing is already thriving in independent film circles. Whether you follow film reviewers like Mark Kermode or engage with the community on platforms like Letterboxd, the consensus seems to be that this is a film designed to spark conversation.

Potential viewers should expect: