How to Make a Killing

Director: John Patton Ford

Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell), is an heir to the Redfellow fortune. However, his life has not been that of an heir. His mother was banished from the family home when she became pregnant, but she ensured young Becket still got the education and upbringing he should, including reminding him, that one day, he would inherit a fortune, the only problem, he is the youngest in a long line of heirs. When an old school friend, and childhood crush, Julia (Margaret Qualley) reappears In his life she plants a suggestion. A suggestion that, if all those heirs ahead of him were no longer there, then the fortune would be his. Could he really murder his way to a fortune?

This is a film with a nice premise, a dark comedy, long game “heist”, it has likeable leads and a line of starry cameos, all packed into a tight 105 minutes. But it’s also a film that falls a little flat, not a poor film, not an unenjoyable film, but just one that lacked a spark.

On the plus side, Powell, who in Becket, even with his complete lack of moral compass, is a likeable lead and character. Margaret Qualley is dependable, even here, where she doesn’t have much to work with. There is also a range of entertaining cameos from Bill Camp, Zach Woods and especially Ed Harris.

On the down side though, it’s also a film that misses opportunities, as a dark comedy, it’s never quite funny enough, the darkness never quite delicious enough, there could have been so much more fun with Becket’s plan. And its big “twist” feels like it is never really earned.

You can also add to that, that the story itself becomes increasingly unbelievable, a character even alluding to it at one point, suggesting it’s unbelievable that the FBI don’t have a case against you!

A fun premise, that’s an enjoyable enough watch, but lacks a little something, leaving  it all a bit “meh”.