Critics were all over the place when it came to Glen Powell's Dark Comedy How To Make A Killing, but that didn't stop me from using my HBO Max subscription to fire it up recently anyway. After watching, I can agree the movie does have its issues, but my biggest gripe had nothing to do with Powell, but rather the screentime given to the supporting cast.
The movie centers around Beckett, the would-be heir to a massive family fortune, provided he can kill off all of the relatives ahead of him. Beckett reunites with the family that ostracized his mother so long ago, and while he efficiently dispatches a good deal of them, I fear the movie let him kill off Topher Grace's Steven way too soon.
Topher Grace As Steven J. Redfellow Was Gold
If How To Make A Killing was an audition for stars to book future appearances in upcoming A24 movies, throw a contract at Topher Grace right now. His performance as Steven, Beckett's cousin who became a corrupt megachurch pastor, was fantastic for what little of it we saw on screen.
It's so good, in fact, that if Danny McBride ever has thoughts about making a follow-up to The Righteous Gemstones, they should give Grace a call. It's a shame How To Make A Killing used him so little, because with more screen time, he could've really elevated the movie overall.
We Spent So Much Time With Other Redfellows, I Wish We Saw More Of Him
I think what made it more painful is that, for a Dark Comedy, so little of How To Make A Killing was funny compared to other greats of the genre. More Topher Grace would've made this movie way funnier had his Steven been in the plot as much as Zach Woods' Noah, for example.
Now, who knows why Grace was only in the movie for a short while. It's possible that role was specifically made to be short, considering how little time was spent with that Redfellow compared to the others. If the idea was to leave me wanting more, I'd be understanding, but he's dead shortly after the scene, and there are no plans for a prequel where we see more of his character.
In a way, I think the way How To Make A Killing used Topher Grace's character is representative of my thoughts on the movie overall. So much of this movie has the potential to do something really great, and all the pieces and stars are there to give us something truly special. Unfortunately, it feels like the movie loses steam before it ever starts going, so you just get to the end, shrug, and go about your life after watching.
How To Make A Killing is available to stream on HBO Max for those who have yet to see it. I'm not sure I'd watch it again like I would other beloved dark comedies, but it was nice to see Glen Powell in action as a leading man.
