How To Make A Killing Ebert Review: A Darkly Comic Thriller That Pays Its Dues
When A24 announced How To Make A Killing, the buzz centered on its unsettling premise: a disowned heir must eliminate his own relatives to claim a billion‑dollar fortune. Directed by John Patton Ford and starring Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, and Jessica Henwick, the film blends slick genre thrills with a satirical edge. Below is a comprehensive review that examines why the movie lands as a standout entry in the modern thriller canon.
Premise and Plot Mechanics
The story follows Glen Powell as Jace Harper, a blue‑collar worker who discovers he is the illegitimate son of a reclusive billionaire. The will stipulates that Jace can inherit only if he eliminates the “successors in line” who stand ahead of him. What ensues is a cat‑and‑mouse game that spirals from a single murder to a full‑blown family war.
- Each target is introduced with a distinct personality, making the killings feel purposeful rather than gratuitous.
- The film’s pacing mirrors Jace’s escalating desperation, shifting from methodical planning to frantic improvisation.
- Plot twists are anchored in character motivations, preventing the narrative from feeling contrived.
Direction and Visual Style
John Patton Ford’s direction is both precise and playful. He frames each murder scene with a cold, almost clinical aesthetic, echoing the sterile opulence of the Harper estate. The use of muted color palettes punctuated by sudden splashes of red underscores the film’s thematic dichotomy: wealth versus bloodshed.
Ford’s collaboration with cinematographer James “Deepfocus” Liu (as highlighted on DeepFocusLens) yields crisp compositions that feel like moving paintings. The camera often lingers on empty corridors, hinting at the omnipresent threat of unseen eyes—a visual metaphor for the family’s watchful, manipulative nature.
Performances: A Cast That Delivers
Glen Powell shines as Jace, balancing a rugged, working‑class grit with a sly, almost charismatic cunning. His transformation from a reluctant heir to a calculating killer feels earned, thanks to layered dialogue and subtle physical cues.
Margaret Qualley, playing Elena Harper, Jace’s conflicted half‑sister, brings a nuanced performance that oscillates between empathy and betrayal. Qualley’s chemistry with Powell fuels the film’s emotional core, especially in scenes where they confront their shared lineage.
Jessica Henwick adds a fierce, no‑nonsense edge as Detective Mira Kwan, the law enforcement figure who becomes entangled in the family’s deadly games. Henwick’s presence grounds the film, reminding viewers that the consequences of Jace’s actions extend beyond the private sphere.
Thematic Depth: Money, Morality, and Identity
Beyond its thriller surface, How To Make A Killing poses stark questions about inheritance and moral compromise. The film asks whether wealth can ever be truly earned when the price is human life. This is reflected in recurring visual motifs—golden coins juxtaposed with blood‑stained hands—reinforcing the notion that “b
