First Reactions To Glen Powell’s Dark New Thriller How To Make A Killing Are In

Why It Matters

Strong early buzz could boost box‑office returns for an A24 release without massive marketing spend, reinforcing the viability of star‑driven indie thrillers in a crowded market.

Key Takeaways

• Powell’s performance hailed as career‑best.
• Qualley’s chemistry described as electric.
• Critics compare tone to *American Psycho*.
• Script seen as slick but thin.
• Release faces competition from second‑week blockbusters.

Pulse Analysis

The debut of *How to Make a Killing* underscores a growing trend where mid‑budget studios leverage star power to attract audiences. Glen Powell, fresh off the commercial success of *Top Gun: Maverick* and *The Running Man*, anchors the film with a performance that critics label both charming and unsettling. By pairing him with Margaret Qualley, whose energetic presence amplifies the movie’s dark humor, A24 taps into a formula that blends recognizable talent with genre‑bending storytelling, a strategy that often translates into strong per‑screen averages despite limited advertising budgets.

From a market perspective, the film’s February 20 release lands during a relatively quiet weekend, yet it must contend with the lingering draw of major releases like *Wuthering Heights* and *Crime 101*. This timing allows the thriller to capture niche audiences seeking fresh, edgy content while avoiding direct head‑to‑head competition with blockbuster openings. Early social‑media sentiment suggests word‑of‑mouth could drive incremental ticket sales, a valuable asset for indie distributors that rely on organic buzz rather than costly media buys.

Looking ahead, the critical reception of *How to Make a Killing* may influence A24’s acquisition strategy for similar dark comedies. Positive reviews highlighting Powell’s magnetic charisma and the film’s satirical edge could encourage investors to back projects that balance artistic ambition with commercial appeal. Moreover, the movie’s modest budget paired with a strong cast exemplifies how strategic casting and targeted release windows can yield profitable outcomes in an increasingly fragmented theatrical landscape.

First Reactions To Glen Powell’s Dark New Thriller How To Make A Killing Are In

By Matthew Rudoy · Published Feb 11, 2026, 8:13 PM EST

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First reactions have arrived for How to Make a Killing, a new dark comedy‑thriller film starring Glen Powell.

Powell plays Becket Redfellow, a man on a personal mission of revenge in the A24 movie. After being disowned at birth by his ultra‑wealthy family, Becket is forced to live a blue‑collar life. He now sees an opportunity to change his social standing by killing all the relatives standing in the way of the inheritance he is determined to reclaim. The cast also includes Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, and Topher Grace.

How to Make a Killing’s first reactions are generally positive, with many critics praising the performances of Powell and Qualley.

• Rachel Leishman (via X) calls it “a thrilling and exciting dark comedy” that “reminds me of American Psycho, so utter perfection.” She describes Powell’s portrayal of Becket as “charming, twisted, and an addicting character to embark on this journey with” and celebrates “Qualley’s slightly deranged energy” as his childhood friend, Julia Steinway.

• Tessa Smith (via X) is also impressed by Powell and Qualley’s performances, describing their chemistry as “electric.” She notes that “the kills are bonkers & I somehow found myself rooting for Becket,” and teases a shocking ending.

• Jairo Jiménez (via X) hails the film as “a biting, addictive satire” featuring Powell’s “astonishingly twisted & magnetic charisma — this is one of his best performances yet — w/ explosive chemistry alongside an incredible Margaret Qualley.”

• A more mixed response comes from Adriano Caporusso (via X), who finds that How to Make a Killing is “a simple, sloppy, but notably fun crime caper, with Glen Powell’s charm elevating often underwritten material into something more engaging.”

• Matt Neglia (via X) offers a similar sentiment, acknowledging that the film “has its fun moments and moves at a confident, smooth pace, but that slickness also skirts past some of the more intriguing aspects of the story.”

The film is directed and written by John Patton Ford, whose previous credits include the Aubrey Plaza‑led 2022 crime thriller Emily the Criminal and the 2010 short film Patrol. The upcoming movie, which will be released in U.S. theaters on February 20, 2026, was previously titled Huntington.

This is Glen Powell’s first movie since Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man (Nov 2025). While How to Make a Killing is not a major studio blockbuster, it offers the actor a chance to deliver another critical and commercial hit after his successes with Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone but You, and Twisters.

The film is not releasing during a particularly competitive debut weekend, but it will have to contend with several high‑profile movies in their second week of theatrical runs, including:

• Wuthering Heights (Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi)

• Crime 101 (Chris Hemsworth & Mark Ruffalo)

• The animated sports movie Goat

• Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (Sam Rockwell)

• Cold Storage (Liam Neeson)

Film Details

• Release Date: February 20, 2026

• Runtime: 108 minutes

• Director: John Patton Ford

Cast

• Glen Powell – Becket Redfellow

• Margaret Qualley – Julia Steinway

• Jessica Henwick – Ruth

• Topher Grace – Pastor Steven J. Redfellow

• (Additional cast includes Ed Harris, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, etc.)

Writers: John Patton Ford

Producers: Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin

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