How to Make a Killing Trailer, Fun Facts & Review

How to Make a Killing Synopsis:

Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell), a blue-collar outcast disowned by his aristocratic family at birth. Determined to reclaim his $28 billion birthright, Becket launches a ruthless, murderous campaign to "prune the family tree" by eliminating the seven eccentric relatives standing in his way. As he navigates the high-stakes world of the elite, he must balance his murderous ambition with the pressure of avoiding the authorities and managing a web of increasingly dangerous lies.

Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime

Release Date: In theaters February 20th, 2026

How to Make a Killing Fun Facts:

The "Emily the Criminal" Connection:
The movie is written and directed by John Patton Ford, who emerged as a prominent independent filmmaker following his success with Emily the Criminal (2022). In this project, he comes back to a high-pressure story about the wealthy aristocratic family, but this time with a much bigger budget and a dark, humorous approach.

A "Black List" Survivor:
The screenplay has been a beloved choice in Hollywood for over a decade. Initially titled "Rothchild," it was part of the 2014 Black List (the annual roundup of the finest screenplays that haven't been made into films). It faced many challenges in its development for several years and at one time had actors Shia LaBeouf and Mel Gibson linked to the lead roles, until director John Patton Ford decided to direct his own script, leading to the current 2026 version.

It’s a "Pruning" of a 1949 Classic:
The movie is a modern, dark comedy remake of the 1949 British cult classic "Kind Hearts and Coronets." In the original story, a man murders eight members of the family (all played by legendary actor Alec Guinness), while the 2026 version uses different actors for the family members, in which Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) is determined to "prune the family tree" to reclaim his $28 billion birthright.

Strategic Title Change:
The film was initially titled "Huntington" throughout the majority of its production time. A24 officially changed the title to "How to Make a Killing" right when the first teaser trailer was released in late 2025.

Filmed in South Africa:
While the story takes place in a world of extremely wealthy Americans, the movie was actually filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. The contemporary architecture and luxurious homes in the city served as the backdrop setting of the affluent Redfellow family.

Powerhouse Supporting Cast:
The movie features a mix of veteran actors in supporting roles, including Margaret Qualley, Ed Harris, Topher Grace, Zach Woods, and Jessica Henwick.

Source: youtube, wikipedia

How to Make a Killing Review:

John Patton Ford’s second film, How to Make a Killing, is backed by a massive amount of hype. After making a name for himself with the raw, indie hit Emily the Criminal, Ford has moved away from the world of side hustles and into the world of the ultra-rich. The result is a polished dark comedy; while the film is stylish, it doesn't quite have the same sharp edge as Kind Hearts and Coronets, the 1949 cult classic that inspired it.

Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, a regular guy living in modern-day New York, though the movie was actually filmed in Cape Town. Becket was cut off by his incredibly rich family at birth, leaving him with nothing. However, his life takes a turn after a chance encounter with his childhood crush, Julia (Margaret Qualley). Julia is obsessed with money and status, and her influence inspires Becket to take matters into his own hands. Instead of waiting for his inheritance, he decides to "speed up" the process by getting rid of the relatives standing in his way.

The story is framed by Becket sitting in a prison cell, just four hours away from being executed. As he waits, he tells the story of his own downfall, explaining how he went from a "nice guy" who felt cheated by life to a cold-blooded serial killer. Along the way, he describes exactly how he managed to pick off seven of his bizarre, wealthy relatives one by one.

Some critics are finding it hard to fully get behind Glen Powell’s performance as a cold-blooded sociopath, arguing that he is simply "too likable" for the role. He usually plays the charming, heroic character we’ve grown to love in movies like Top Gun: Maverick or Anyone But You; his naturally sunny personality lacks the truly unsettling, dangerous edge needed to make a serial killer character feel real, which makes it difficult for the movie's darker message to come across as believable.

Margaret Qualley truly stands out in the film, completely stealing every scene she’s in as Julia. While Becket might be the one committing the crimes, it’s clear that Julia is the real brains behind the operation. She is portrayed as much sharper, more calculating, and ultimately more dangerous than Becket could ever hope to be. Qualley brings an icy energy to the role that makes you realize Becket isn't just following a crush; he’s playing a high-stakes game with someone who is always three steps ahead of him.

The victims are the members of the wealthy Redfellow family, and they are a hilariously awful group of people that you almost can't wait to see get pruned off because each character is so uniquely dislikable and totally out of touch with reality.

Topher Grace delivers a high-energy performance as a megachurch pastor. He represents the "holy" side of the family, though his crazy behavior suggests he's anything but a saint.

Zach Woods (known for his awkward humor in Silicon Valley) plays a cousin who is a stereotypical, pretentious Brooklyn artist. He’s the kind of guy who thinks he’s deeper than everyone else, making him a perfect target for the film’s dark comedy.

Ed Harris provides the gravity for the group, looming over the entire family as the cold and intimidating patriarch, Whitelaw Redfellow. He’s the "final boss" of the family, the man whose approval and money everyone is fighting for, and his icy demeanor sets the tone for the entire bloodline.

While the rest of the characters are either obscenely wealthy, obsessed with status, or literally committing crimes, Ruth (Jessica Henwick) is the only one who feels like a real person. Her character serves as the film’s moral center; she is the voice of reason in a world that has gone totally off the rails.

Even though it was filmed in South Africa, cinematographer Todd Banhazl does an incredible job of making the locations look like a vibrant, high-energy version of New York City. The colors pop off the screen, giving the whole film a polished, expensive look that fits the world of the "ultra-rich" perfectly.

The music also plays a huge part in setting the mood. The score, composed by Emile Mosseri, gives the murder scenes an almost "operatic" feel. Instead of being dark and scary, the music makes the killings feel like grand, theatrical performances.

How to Make a Killing is the ultimate crowd pleaser. You get to watch a charming cast navigate a world of power and murder, all wrapped up in a beautiful-looking package. It's a fun thriller that feels high-quality without being overly heavy. Even though it doesn't quite have the same sharp edge as the 1949 cult classic that inspired it, the movie is a polished, eccentric, and thoroughly entertaining experience, and if you are looking for an escape into the world of the ultra-rich mixed with dark humor and stylish adventure, How to Make a Killing delivers just that.