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How to Make a Killing (2026)


How to Make a Killing (2026)
is written and directed by John Patton Ford and released by A24. The film clearly aims for sharp satire and quirky character study, but it never fully commits to being as biting or unhinged as it wants to be. It plays like an oven mitt version of American Psycho, handling similar themes of ego and moral decay but with far less edge.

Glen Powell, known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, delivers a decent performance. He has natural charisma and screen presence, and he carries the film capably, but the script never gives him the psychological depth needed to make the character truly interesting.

Margaret Qualley, recognized for Kinds of Kindness and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, feels like she is playing a variation of the same character she often portrays. She is effective, but there is little new here in terms of range or transformation.

Jessica Henwick, known for Cuckoo and Glass Onion, gives the strongest performance of the trio. She convincingly sells the role of a teacher trapped in a toxic relationship and brings emotional weight that the rest of the film sometimes lacks.

There are a few cameos sprinkled throughout, but none are substantial enough to leave a real impression. In the end, the movie is stylish and watchable, but it pulls its punches. It gestures toward sharp social commentary without fully embracing the chaos required to make it memorable. The ending was a choice and not a traditional one. Result: B-

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