How seriously can a philosopher take the role of a hit man? Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” inspired by a true story, pushes the boundaries of modern romantic comedy. Playful, stylish, and unexpectedly profound, the film is a clever meditation on the idea that pretending to be someone else can sometimes reveal who you really are.
The protagonist, Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), is a mild-mannered philosophy professor working for the New Orleans Police Department. To entrap criminals, Gary disguises himself as a contract killer and becomes astonishingly good at it thanks to his meticulously crafted personas and charisma. But when he meets the beautiful Madison (Adria Arjona), who wants to escape her abusive husband, Gary breaks every protocol. Pretending to be someone he’s not, he tumbles into a treacherous web of passion and deception.
“Hit Man” boasts a dazzling performance from Glen Powell, who masterfully blends humor and magnetism as he rises to stardom. Adria Arjona matches him perfectly as a captivating noir muse, mixing danger with vulnerability. Linklater fuses moral ambiguity with romantic-comedy charm, effortlessly turning complex philosophical ideas into pure entertainment. The film is a genre shapeshifter that combines dark comedy, noir thriller, and philosophical love story.
Linklater’s vision is simple: he asks whether who we are matters less than the person we choose to become. As Gary embraces his “Ron” alter ego, he doesn’t just deepen his lies—he enters a perilous game where the line between performance and reality vanishes. Blending crime procedural with romantic comedy and existential subtext, the film emerges clever, self-assured, and deliciously flirtatious with danger.
Film Information Summary
- Director: Richard Linklater
- Screenwriters: Richard Linklater and Glen Powell
- Lead Actors: Glen Powell (Gary Johnson), Adria Arjona (Madison)
- Themes: Performance as Identity, Moral Ambiguity, Neo-Noir Romance
- Awards: Best Screenplay at Venice Film Festival and Audience Award at Toronto International Film Festival
