How To Make A Killing: A Ruthless, Blood-Soaked Masterclass in Greed

In the sprawling landscape of modern cinema, the “eat the rich” genre has seen a massive resurgence, but few studios handle the theme with the sinister elegance of A24. Released in theaters nationwide today, February 20, 2026, How To Make A Killing is a razor-sharp, adrenaline-fueled descent into the darkest corners of generational wealth. Directed by John Patton Ford, who previously stunned audiences with the critically acclaimed indie hit Emily the Criminal, this new feature scales up the budgetary gloss while maintaining a gritty, uncompromising edge.

For our dedicated readers here at fmovies.tr who crave smart, twisting narratives layered with psychological tension and explosive performances, this film is an absolute triumph. Boasting an all-star cast led by the endlessly charismatic Glen Powell, alongside heavyweights like Ed Harris and Margaret Qualley, How To Make A Killing is less of a traditional mystery and more of a Machiavellian chess match where the pieces are actual human lives. Let’s dive deep into why this R-rated thriller is destined to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.

The Plot: A Bloody Succession

The story introduces us to the elite, untouchable world of the Redfellow dynasty. At the center of the narrative is Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell), a man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but has recently had it violently yanked away. Cast aside by his phenomenally wealthy, emotionally bankrupt family, Becket finds himself cut off from the billion-dollar empire he believes is his birthright.

However, Becket is not the type to quietly accept defeat and fade into middle-class obscurity. The plot shifts into high gear when Becket decides that if he cannot inherit his fortune through legal, familial goodwill, he will ensure his inheritance by any means necessary. What follows is a meticulously plotted, shockingly violent campaign of sabotage, manipulation, and outright murder.

The film operates as an inverted whodunit—or rather, a “howdunit.” We know exactly who the villain is, and we are strapped into the passenger seat as Becket orchestrates a series of “accidents” and scandals designed to systematically eliminate his rivals within the family. As the body count rises and the paranoia within the Redfellow estate reaches a fever pitch, the film asks a chilling question: How far can a man go before his soul is entirely consumed by his bank account?

The Cast: A Symphony of Sociopaths

A script this vicious requires a cast capable of balancing charm with absolute malice, and the ensemble assembled here is nothing short of spectacular.

Glen Powell as Becket Redfellow

Glen Powell has spent the last few years solidifying his status as Hollywood’s golden boy, charming audiences in massive hits like Top Gun: Maverick and various romantic comedies. In How To Make A Killing, Powell completely subverts that persona. He weaponizes his trademark million-dollar smile, using it to mask a hollow, terrifyingly calculating sociopath. Powell plays Becket not as a cartoonish supervillain, but as an entitled, narcissistic predator who genuinely believes he is the victim. It is a career-defining performance that proves Powell has the dramatic chops to carry a dark, psychologically demanding thriller.

Ed Harris and Margaret Qualley

Ed Harris, bringing his signature gravelly intensity, plays the patriarch of the Redfellow family. Harris is terrifyingly imposing, representing the immovable object to Becket’s unstoppable force. The scenes shared between Powell and Harris crackle with an unspoken, venomous history.

Margaret Qualley (The Substance) continues her streak of fascinating, erratic character choices. While her exact role in the family dynamic is a web of spoilers, she brings a chaotic, unpredictable energy to the screen. She serves as a brilliant foil to Becket’s cold calculations, acting as the wild card that threatens to tear his entire master plan apart at the seams.

The Supporting Players

The supporting cast rounds out the Redfellow universe beautifully. Topher Grace brings a smarmy, punchable energy to his role, while Jessica Henwick (Glass Onion) provides a sharp, cynical intellect that keeps the audience guessing about her true loyalties. Finally, veteran character actor Bill Camp anchors the film’s procedural elements, likely playing the weary investigator or fixer who slowly begins to piece together the trail of blood Becket is leaving behind.

Director’s Vision: John Patton Ford’s Social Critique

With Emily the Criminal, John Patton Ford proved he had a unique voice for capturing the desperation of the working class. Here, he flips the lens, examining the desperation of the ultra-rich. Ford directs the film with a clinical, almost voyeuristic detachment. The violence—which earns the film its hard R-rating—is never stylized for the sake of looking cool. It is sudden, messy, and brutally realistic.

The cinematography reflects the coldness of the characters. The Redfellow estates are filmed in stark, imposing angles, filled with glass, marble, and empty space. There is no warmth in this world, only power. Ford uses the camera to isolate the characters, emphasizing that despite their immense wealth, they are all profoundly alone and paranoid. It’s a brilliant visual metaphor for the isolating nature of extreme greed.

The Critique: Why It Works So Brilliantly

How To Make A Killing is a triumph because it refuses to apologize for its protagonist’s actions. It invites the audience to indulge in the wicked thrill of a heist movie, but the prize is an inheritance and the obstacles are family members.

Pacing and Tension

The pacing is relentless. Ford structures the film like a ticking time bomb. Every time Becket executes a phase of his plan, the tension ratchets up. The audience is constantly left wondering if this will be the moment he slips up. Even when you are repulsed by his actions, the script is so tightly wound that you cannot look away. It is a masterclass in suspense, relying on psychological maneuvering rather than cheap jump scares.

Visuals and Tone

As an A24 production, the film carries that distinct indie-auteur aesthetic but with blockbuster production values. The score is a pulsating, anxiety-inducing synth track that perfectly complements the escalating madness on screen. The tone is pitch-black, occasionally leaning into bleak satire as it mocks the absurdity of billionaires fighting over money they could never spend in ten lifetimes. Yet, it never loses its edge as a genuine, terrifying thriller.

How To Make A Killing is a sleek, vicious, and utterly captivating cinematic experience. John Patton Ford has crafted a modern thriller that feels both timeless in its themes of greed and fiercely contemporary in its execution. Glen Powell delivers a chilling, magnetic performance that will change the way audiences see him forever.

For fans visiting fmovies.tr who are looking for a movie that combines the sharp, biting dialogue of Succession with the bloody, calculated tension of American Psycho, this is your next obsession. It is a stark reminder that while money cannot buy happiness, it can certainly buy a lot of silence, a lot of secrets, and a very deep grave.