Josh Reviews Hit Man

Hit Man was directed and co-written by Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, School of Rock, Boyhood), who wrote the script with Glen Powell (Hidden Figures, Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters), who stars as the titular hitman.  That hitman is Gary Johnson, a quiet and unassuming high school teacher who also works part-time for the New Orleans police department, helping behind the scenes to set up sting operations designed to catch people who are planning a murder.  When Gary winds up getting roped into actually impersonating a hitman for one operation, he discovers that he’s quite good at the charade!  One thing leads to another, and soon Gary winds up involved in some real-life trouble surrounding Madison (Adria Arjona Torres), a beautiful young woman who is trying to get out from under the thumb of her elusive husband.

This fun, affable story about mostly bad people was a pleasure to watch.  I’m always interested in a new film by Richard Linklater, and Hit Man did not disappoint.  It’s a twisty story that zips along and doesn’t overstay its welcome at 115 minutes (including credits).  It’s funny and also suspenseful, a great mix.

Glen Powell has been having a moment with several big films recently: Top Gun: Maverick (which I saw and loved) and Twisters and Anything But You (which I didn’t see).  He’s terrific playing Gary, a man who spends much of the film playing multiple different characters.  Mr. Powell is able to be funny and silly in these different personas, while never losing the thread of Gary as a character.  He’s able to hold onto the emotional realism of this normal guy who’s suddenly finding himself in dangerous situations.  This is a great combination!  The result is a fun and memorable leading man performance.

Adria Arjona Torres (Anathema Device in Good Omens and Bix in Andor) is a great partner for Mr. Powell as Madison.  She’s dynamite, and she has terrific chemistry with Mr. Powell.  The scene in which Madison first meets Gary (in disguise as a hitman named Ron) in a diner is electrifying.  It’s a fantastic introduction to Ms. Torre’s character.  From that moment on, I was definitely rooting for these two characters to be able to outwit their opponents and wind up together!

It’s fun seeing Rhetta (Parks and Recreation) as Claudette, Gary’s boss in the police unit overseeing these hit man sting operations.  Her nonplussed line delivery was always funny!  Sanjay Rao is strong as Phil, the other member of their team, and Austin Amelio is great as Jasper, the arrogant jerk of an officer who Gary winds up replacing as their undercover man, much to Jasper’s disbelief.

I was pleasantly surprised how well this film kept me guessing as the story unfolded.  I was hooked in, wondering what moral compromises Gary would be willing to make, and on what side of the law he’d wind up.  I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll say I was very satisfied by the film’s conclusion and how well Mr. Linklater & Mr. Powell pulled the story together.

This was a fun one!  Check it out if you missed it last year!  (I included it on my list of my favorite films of 2024.)

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