If there were any doubts that Glen Powell was on the fast track to Hollywood superstardom, his new Netflix movie, “Hit Man,” will erase them. This guy is the real deal.
The actor has built an impressive resume that includes the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” and the glossy romantic comedy “Anyone But You,” but this new Netflix effort from director Richard Linklater is his true star performance.
“Hit Man” arrives on Netflix this Friday, June 7, and I can tell you right now that it’s the best original film the streaming service has offered in a long time. It’s got future Netflix #1 written all over it, and it’s a must-have for our ranking of the best Netflix movies.
I attended an early screening of this romantic comedy last month, and although I went with high expectations following the film festival buzz, I was still pleasantly surprised by its high quality. It’s already in my top 10 favorite films of 2024 (so far), and I’m confident it will have retained its place by the end of the year.
If you’re looking for something new to watch on Netflix this week, your search is over. The correct answer is “Hit Man”. But if my initial sales pitch isn’t enough to convince you, let me explain why this is a Netflix movie we’ll be talking about all month long….
What is “Hit Man” about?
“Hit Man” sees Glen Powell play Gary Johnson, an unassuming high school teacher who moonlights as an undercover hitman for the New Orleans Police Department. Taking on a whole series of fake personas to help sell the ruse, Gary’s job is to help the cops arrest people looking to hire real assassins.
Gary discovers he has a gift for this strange profession and develops a new confidence in pretending to be someone else. However, things get seriously complicated when he meets a beautiful woman named Madison (Adria Arjona) who is looking for help to take down her abusive husband.
Breaking strict protocol and desperate to hide his true identity from this new love, Gary finds himself slipped into a dangerous world of deception with potentially deadly consequences. As Gary loses himself in the role of a ruthless assassin, it becomes clear that the only way out might be to become the hitman he has spent so long pretending to be.
“Hit Man” is absolutely brilliant
What’s most remarkable about “Hit Man” is that it works on almost every level.
The comedy gags all land, the romance is swoon-worthy (Powell and Arjona have incredible chemistry) and the mystery element in the back half moves at a nice pace. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a full-fledged thriller, but its dark side should help it appeal even to Netflix viewers who swear romantic comedies aren’t for them.
The real strength of “Hit Man” comes from Powell’s committed performance. The role requires Powell to play many different characters, from a gun-toting redneck to an Eastern European gangster as part of his job as a fake assassin, and the actor pulls off each new personality with aplomb. It’s clear that Powell had a blast making this film, and that translates to his on-screen performance.
I also have to give credit to director Richard Linklater, who keeps the film moving forward and, despite the fast pace, the story never feels rushed. Although I saw “Hit Man” in a phone-free environment, it’s hard to imagine that many viewers will be tempted to grab their devices while watching, “Hit Man” is simply too enjoyable to miss.
“Hit Man” is pure cinematic entertainment, and that’s very positive. While some critics have attempted to discuss the film’s deeper themes and its commentary on the idea of the “true self,” I think most viewers will gloss over this subtext and simply enjoy the journey. Of course, that’s not a bad thing, “Hit Man” is a film made to be enjoyed above all else, and in that area it succeeds impressively.
‘Hit Man’ Reviews – Critics Love This Netflix Movie Too
“Hit Man” just arrived on Netflix, but critics have been praising this film since its premiere in September 2023. It currently holds a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoeswhich is enough to earn it a Certified Fresh seal of approval ahead of its Netflix debut Friday.
Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times was full of praise for the film’s leading man: “In this offbeat comedy, Powell confirms his credentials as a leading man and shows off sizzling chemistry with co-star Adria Arjona,” a- he said in a generally positive review.
The GuardianPeter Bradshaw said, “A hit is what it deserves to be” and noted the film’s ability to maintain realism despite its zany comedy. Nick Schager The daily beast was also a fan, saying “Hit Man is hot and hilarious, a winning combination amplified by a story that gets more and more noxious at every turn.” While LeWrap‘s Ben Croll called it “delirious and entertaining”.
“Hit Man’s” debut audience score is also very high, at 95 percent, although that only comes from a small sample of user reviews, as its theatrical release last month was quite limited.
You need to stream “Hit Man” on Netflix
If you’ve read this far, it should be pretty obvious that I highly recommend “Hit Man.” I’ve been quite critical of Netflix’s recent output of original films, with clunkers like “Atlas” (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) and “Unfroted” (43% on Rotten Tomatoes) failing to managed to hit the mark, but the pairing of director Richard Linklater and Glen Powell proves to be a winner for the world’s most popular streaming service.
One of the biggest compliments I can pay “Hit Man” is that I’ve been looking forward to the movie’s release on Netflix, not just because I wanted to watch it again (although I definitely want to see it a second time soon as possible), but largely because I can’t wait for my friends and family to see it so I can talk about it even more.
I am extremely convinced that “Hit Man” is THE best new arrival on Netflix this week, but we have a complete list of all the new movies and TV shows on the streaming service if you want to see what’s added this week.