'Hit Man' Review: A thoroughly Entertaining & Witty Crime Caper

Richard Linklater has a diverse bag of feature films, but his latest, Hit Man, is a thrilling ride from start to finish. This genre-bending black comedy perfectly balances witty storytelling, action, and romance, bolstered by Glen Powell’s emergence as a Hollywood A-list actor.

Powell has truly stepped into the spotlight. Though he’s been on the scene for well over a decade, it wasn’t until his standout performance in Top Gun: Maverick that he gained widespread attention. Since then, he’s had a string of hits, and in Hit Man, he solidifies his status as a leading man.

Inspired by the true story of Gary Johnson, a geeky academic who becomes a fake assassin and undertakes a unique form of undercover work for the police. Albeit a loose take the film draws its inspiration from a 2001 article by journalist Skip Hollandsworth in Texas Monthly.

Powell’s character, Johnson, finds himself captivated by Adria Arjona’s seductive femme fatale, Madison Masters, who tries hiring him to kill her husband. Together, they embark on a series of comical escapades to evade trouble. Madison exudes wild impulsiveness and a bad-girl persona as she attempts to contract a hitman, traits that may render her unlikable. However, Arjona radiates empathy, making you root for her. Paired with Powell, their on-screen chemistry is electric.

At the heart of the film lies Powell’s ingeniously humorous array of disguises, which he employs to entice his “clients” into envisioning their ideal hitman. These personas span from the sleek-haired, impeccably suited yuppie (think Christian Bale walking straight off the set of American Psycho), to a cigar-chomping Russian, a tattooed redneck, the suave charmer ‘Ron’, and the funniest of them all—a freckle-faced, ginger-haired man sporting a bob, entirely clad in orange.

Hit Man nails it in every department. It’s funny, sexy and downright entertaining.

As ‘Ron’, the character crafted for Madison, Gary’s compassion overwhelms him when he learns of her plight with her abusive husband. Instead of handing her over to the authorities, he encourages her to take the money and start anew somewhere else. However, as ‘Ron’, the pair strike up a relationship, their romance based on lies, and engaging in murder-for-hire is not exactly a healthy dynamic, inevitably leading them into obvious troubles.

The film maintains a nice pace, peppered with numerous twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. Powell and Arjona have remarkable chemistry, effortlessly complementing each other’s performances. Powell seamlessly embodies each of his character identities, delivering impeccable comedic timing for his goofy characters as well as his charming ones.

Powell has solidified his status as a movie star, and this role is bound to be a breakthrough for Arjona. Hit Man nails it in every department. It’s funny, sexy and downright entertaining. Plus, it simply has a fresh, original vibe.