Glen Powell was at a Texas family barbecue when he first read the script for “How To Make A Killing.” “I saw the family’s secrets and thought, ‘That’s better than fiction,’” he told press. Now, starring as the smooth but dangerous lead in A24’s buzzy new thriller, Powell is set for his noir breakout.
Plot Twists
In How To Make A Killing, Powell plays Michael Laird, a charming outsider invited to his wealthy family’s remote estate after a shocking death. Each relative harbors secrets—and motivations for murder. Trailer footage teases tense dinner scenes, suspicious glances, and a spiral into psychological warfare that recalls classics like “Knives Out.”
Powell told Empire, “This is a guy who knows how to manipulate, but everyone’s trying to outplay him. It’s a battle of wits—a killer chess game.”
The cast includes Allison Williams as the icy cousin, Clancy Brown as the patriarch, and Sonoya Mizuno as the suspicious lawyer. Together, their on-screen inheritance battle twists in unpredictable directions.
A24’s Sleek Style
Expected to run around 108 minutes, the film leans on A24’s signature style: sharp editing, bold color palettes, and slow-burn suspense. Early reviewers already praise its “Hitchcockian tension.” Director Alice Waddington (“Paradise Hills”) uses a minimal, isolated location—a crumbling mansion by the sea—to amplify paranoia and betrayal. Much of the drama unfolds over three days, raising stakes with every close-up.
The production shot on location in upstate New York, with the crew using real stormy weather to intensify key scenes. Powell performed most of his own stunts, including an infamous stairwell fight that left him with bruises for weeks.
Real Family Drama
Powell, known recently for “Top Gun: Maverick” and the hit rom-com “Anyone But You,” said the story echoes real-world inheritance disputes. “Everyone thinks their family’s a little messed up. This pushes it to the max.” Rumor has it the film’s twist ending left A24 execs “stunned” at early screenings.
Expect “How To Make A Killing” to appeal to fans of “The Menu” and “Glass Onion.” The film arrives in theaters spring 2026 and is already gearing up for awards buzz.
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