Hit Man Film Review

Hit Man Film Review | Hit Man is the latest film from esteemed director Richard Linklater, and it is so much fun.

Background

When it comes to Richard Linklater, his films often fall into two categories: the deeply introspective like Before Sunrise and Boyhood, and the lighter, more entertaining like Bernie and School of Rock. Hitman definitely leans towards the latter, offering a fun and engaging experience that audiences will love.

This film has been generating buzz for a while. It premiered back in September 2023 at the Venice International Film Festival and later played at TIFF and Sundance. Although I couldn’t catch it at Sundance, I did have the incredible opportunity to chat with Richard Linklater himself – a dream come true! Now, Hitman is set for a limited theatrical release starting May 24th and will hit Netflix on June 7th. So, if you miss it in theaters, don’t worry; it will be available for streaming soon.

What It’s About

As the name suggests, Hitman revolves around the life of a hitman – or at least, that’s what it seems at first. The film stands out from other hitman-themed movies, like last year’s The Killer by David Fincher, with its unique tonal approach. While The Killer didn’t quite resonate with me, Hitman hit all the right notes.

The story, loosely based on real events, was co-written by Glenn Powell and Richard Linklater. The script is fantastic, blending humor, action, tension, and even some steamy scenes. It’s clear that both Powell and Linklater had a complete vision for this film, and they executed it beautifully.

A Good Time

Hitman is primarily about having a good time. While it does touch on some classic Linklater themes of existential dread and moral questioning, these are not the film’s central focus. Instead, it explores questions of self-identity and ambiguous morality in a lighthearted and entertaining way. The film is funny, action-packed, and just plain fun to watch.

Linklater‘s skill in grounding his characters shines through, even when they become a bit absurd. Glenn Powell plays a man working with the police as a fake undercover hitman, setting up people who try to hire a killer. As the film progresses, his character adopts various aliases, each more outlandish than the last, from a hilarious redneck to a Russian killer reminiscent of Tommy Wiseau from The Room, and even a suave figure akin to Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.

Powell’s Performance

Glenn Powell‘s performance in Hitman is nothing short of impressive. He brings humor, impeccable timing, and a character you can’t help but root for despite some moral ambiguity. His different aliases are hilarious and well-executed, with his main alias, Ron, being a suave and confident hitman who ultimately falls in love.

Romance

The romance in Hitman is a key element, with Glenn Powell‘s character falling for Adria Arjona‘s character, who initially seeks his services to kill her husband. Their chemistry is electric, and the romantic scenes are both steamy and compelling. The film balances its comedic and romantic elements perfectly, making it a delightful watch.

Final Thoughts

Hitman is a confident, fun project from a director and writer/star duo who know exactly what they want to achieve. It’s an easy-to-like film that audiences will enjoy. While it may not crack my top five Linklater films of all time, that’s more a testament to his impressive body of work than a slight against Hitman.

Remember, Hitman is coming to theaters on May 24th and will be available on Netflix starting June 7th.

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