Netflix has secured the global rights to “Hit Man,” a true-crime comedy directed Richard Linklater and starring Glen Powell, for a whopping $20 million. The movie, which received acclaim at both the Venice and Toronto film festivals, tells the story of Gary Johnson, a part-time teacher who secretly works as a contract killer for the police. However, things take an unexpected turn when he breaks the rules to help a woman escape an abusive husband and finds himself falling for her, leading him to question his own moral boundaries.
“Hit Man” reunites Linklater and Powell, who have previously collaborated on projects like “Everybody Wants Some!!” and Netflix’s animated sci-fi drama, “Apollo 10 1/2.” The screenplay, adapted Linklater and Powell, is based on a Texas Monthly article Skip Hollandsworth.
Critics have responded positively to “Hit Man,” with Owen Gleiberman from Variety praising the film as “a true-life screwball underworld romantic philosophical thriller comedy noir about the world’s unlikeliest undercover agent.” He also highlights Powell’s exceptional performance, describing him as having an “offbeat leading-man vibe” and comparing his appearance to a combination of Guy Pearce and Ryan Gosling.
Aside from Powell, the cast includes Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, and Molly Bernard. Producers of the film include Mike Blizzard, Linklater, Powell, Jason Bateman, and Michael Costigan, while executive producers come from companies like AGC, Cinetic Media, ShivHans Pictures, Monarch Media, and Texas Monthly.
This acquisition Netflix further solidifies its commitment to diverse and unique content, providing audiences with a wide range of genres and stories. “Hit Man” promises to deliver an intriguing blend of humor, romance, and crime, making it a must-watch for fans of true-crime comedies.
Sources:
– Variety (Owen Gleiberman)
– Texas Monthly (Skip Hollandsworth)
