“Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way”.
The synopsis for “How to Make a Killing” made me walk into the cinema, expecting a heist-like revenge movie. One where we watch the protagonist draw up intricate plans and execute them, Mission Impossible style.
But this wasn’t the thriller I was expecting. Instead of spotlighting hit after hit, the movie’s narrative style makes this black comedy almost feel more biographical.
The movie opens with Becket on death row, having a final conversation with the prison chaplain. He talks about how his heiress mother was banished from the family home for having him out of wedlock. Despite this, she raises him as best as she can, schooling him in high society and reminding him of his entitlement. In her dying breath, she urges him not to quit and to live the life he deserves.
Fast forward to a few years. Adult Becket is now working in a bespoke luxury clothier. His childhood sweetheart, Julia (Margaret Qualley), chances upon him and reminds him of his line in the Redfellow fortune. A not so innocuous suggestion sets the wheels in motion for Becket to embark on his killing spree.
While this isn’t the typical revenge plot I was expecting, Powell’s Becket seems too bland for his role in this caper. Becket has to kill SEVEN relatives in order to achieve his fortune. Yet he doesn’t seem driven enough nor arrogantly entitled enough in his pursuit. It almost feels like Becket has boarded the wrong bus and decided to go with it.
I did wonder if this was intentional to set Becket up as the good guy caught up in a bad scheme so that the audience would collectively root for him. If it was, it did not land. While I like Glen Powell, I did not have any strong feelings towards his character.
Qualley’s Julia makes up for Becket’s apparent lack of inherent evil. Her malevolence makes Wednesday Addams look saintly. She is Becket’s Lady Macbeth, spurring the hesitant villain and leaving every scene with a lingering sinister air.
Topher Grace also surprises in his role as Steven Redfellow. He’s come a long way from being a gawky Forman in Wisconsin It was a shock to my system to see him strut onstage like a rockstar and sway his audience with his earnest, wide eyed gaze.
Aside from the interesting characters, How to Make A Killing offereds a layered storyline. There’s Warren Redfellow, the only relative who cares about Becket and takes him under his wing. How would Becket dispatch of this kindly, repentent uncle?
When Becket offs a cousin, he gains a paramour. Will this ill-gotten romance reform Becket? Or are we in for a Bonnie and Clyde style affair? And what will the spectral Julia make of this?
These plot diversions steer How to Make a Killing away from being a one dimensional revenge flick.
If you’re looking for an action-packed movie – this isn’t it. But if you are looking for something different in the revenge movie genre, How to Make a Killing will take you on a fun ride. One where you’re not quite sure where you’re going, but you’re happy to stay anyway.
How to Make a Killing is now showing in cinemas nationwide.