A24's latest gamble, How to Make a Killing, officially arrived in theaters on February 20 — and critics wasted no time delivering a verdict that feels both conflicted and crystal clear. The film itself? Divisive. The pacing? Frequently criticized. The execution? Uneven.
But one element stands untouchable in nearly every review: Glen Powell.
"He carried the whole movie," wrote one prominent critic, echoing a sentiment that has quickly become the film's defining takeaway. While reviewers debate structural flaws and tonal misfires, Powell's performance as a lethally charming, scheming heir has emerged as the movie's undeniable centerpiece.
In How to Make a Killing, Powell plays the black-sheep scion of a sprawling fortune, quietly orchestrating the downfall of his wealthy relatives one calculated move at a time. It's a role that demands duality: charisma that disarms, menace that lingers just beneath the smile. According to critics, Powell threads that needle with surgical precision.
The film reportedly leans into dark comedy and psychological tension, but struggles to balance its shifting tones. Scenes that aim for razor-sharp satire occasionally stall under uneven editing. Subplots meander. Supporting characters fade in and out without full resolution. Yet every time Powell steps into frame, the momentum snaps back into place.
Reviewers point to his command of stillness — the way he can hold a room with nothing more than a tilted eyebrow or a half-smirk. His heir isn't cartoonishly evil. He's calculating, composed, and disturbingly relatable. That restraint, critics argue, elevates material that might otherwise collapse under its own ambition.
Powell's ascent over the last few years has been steady and strategic. Since his breakout in Top Gun: Maverick, he has carefully curated roles that blend swagger with vulnerability. In this A24 thriller, he sharpens that formula into something darker. The charm remains intact — but it's weaponized.
Several reviews note that even when the script falters, Powell appears to be operating on a different level, as if he's playing chess while the rest of the board scrambles to catch up. His delivery reportedly turns expository dialogue into electric exchanges. Monologues that could feel indulgent instead feel magnetic.
It's not just about presence. It's control. Powell paces his performance like a seasoned stage actor, knowing precisely when to escalate and when to pull back. In a climactic family confrontation scene already circulating in critic circles, his character shifts from playful heir to ice-cold strategist in seconds — and audiences can reportedly feel the temperature drop.
The irony of the film's reception is that its "mixed-bag" label may ultimately amplify Powell's achievement. When a movie struggles to maintain cohesion, standout performances become even more visible. In this case, critics agree that Powell doesn't just shine — he stabilizes.
A24 has built its brand on bold, sometimes polarizing storytelling. How to Make a Killing fits that mold, provoking debate rather than universal praise. But amid discussions about pacing and tonal whiplash, one conclusion seems firm: Glen Powell has entered a new tier.
If Hollywood is searching for its most reliable leading man — someone who can elevate flawed material and still command headlines — this performance makes a compelling argument.
The movie may divide audiences. Glen Powell does not.