Hit Man is a 2023 American romantic action comedy film produced and directed by Richard Linklater, who co-wrote the screenplay with Glen Powell. It is based on the 2001 Texas Monthly magazine article of the same name by Skip Hollandsworth. The film stars Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Molly Bernard. Its plot follows an undercover Houston police officer who poses as a reliable hitman as he tries to save a woman in need.
| Hit Man | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Linklater |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | "Hit Man" by Skip Hollandsworth |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Shane F. Kelly |
| Edited by | Sandra Adair |
| Music by | Graham Reynolds |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
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Running time | 115 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8.8 million[2] |
Hit Man premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in select cinemas in the United States on May 24, 2024, before its streaming debut by Netflix on June 7, 2024.
Premise edit
An undercover Houston police officer poses as a reliable hitman to arrest those trying to hire him until he tries to save a woman in need.
Cast edit
- Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, college professor and tech guy turned undercover mole
- Adria Arjona as Maddy Masters, Gary's love-interest
- Austin Amelio as Jasper, an undercover cop
- Retta as a police officer Gary works for
- Sanjay Rao as a police officer Gary works for
- Evan Holtzman as Ray Masters, Maddy's husband
- Molly Bernard
- Mike Markoff
Production edit
Before the 2022 Cannes Film Market, Hit Man was announced as a new film for sale internationally. The screenplay was based on "Hit Man", a Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth, and written by Richard Linklater and Glen Powell, who would also direct and star, respectively. Adria Arjona would also star.[3] AGC Studios reported strong sales for international distribution at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.[4] Powell was joined by Austin Amelio, Retta, and Molly Bernard in October 2022.[5][6]
Filming began in New Orleans in October 2022,[6][7] and production was completed that November.[8]
Release edit
Hit Man debuted in September 2023.[9][10] The 80th Venice International Film Festival had its world premiere on September 5,[11][12] followed shortly afterward by its North American premiere on September 11 at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.[13]
Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film for $20 million at TIFF, making it the largest film deal of the festival and of 2023, with plans for a theatrical release as well.[14] It is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on May 24, 2024,[15] before streaming on Netflix on June 7, 2024.[16]
Reception edit
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 79 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "A deceptively dark thriller that's also loaded with laughs, Hit Man is an outstanding showcase for leading man Glen Powell — and one of the most purely entertaining films of Richard Linklater's career."[17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 82 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[18]
References edit
- ^ "Hit Man (15)". BBFC. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Hitman" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. October 14, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Ravindran, Manori (May 11, 2022). "Richard Linklater to Direct Hitman Starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, AGC International Selling in Cannes (Exclusive)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (September 20, 2022). "AGC Studios reports strong TIFF pre-sales on 'Hitman', 'The Dating Game'". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (October 3, 2022). "Austin Amelio Joins Richard Linklater's Hitman (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
- ^ a b Chitwood, Adam (October 4, 2022). "Richard Linklater's Hitman Adds Retta, Molly Bernard as Filming Begins". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Lutz, John (October 19, 2022). "Glen Powell Shares Set Image From Richard Linklater's Hitman". Collider. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "Productions - Film New Orleans". filmneworleans.org. City of New Orleans. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (July 25, 2023). "Venice Scores Star-Studded Lineup Despite Strikes (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Lang, Brent (July 24, 2023). "Toronto Film Festival 2023 Lineup Includes Alexander Payne, Richard Linklater, Anna Kendrick, George C. Wolfe and Ethan Hawke Movies". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Hit Man". La Biennale di Venezia. July 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "Richard Linklaters Hit Man Gets Enthusiastic 6-Minute Ovation At Venice Film Festival Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. September 5, 2023.
- ^ "Hit Man". TIFF. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (September 18, 2023). "Netflix Lands Richard Linklater-Helmed Hit Man For $20 Million Toronto Deal; Aggregate/AGC Studios Pic Stars Glen Powell & Adria Arjona". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Bagchi, Soham (April 18, 2024). "'Hit Man': Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know About the Glen Powell Comedy". Collider. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Holub, Christian (January 22, 2024). "How Richard Linklater, Glen Powell's Hit Man deconstructs assassin movies — watch the first trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Hit Man". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Hit Man". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
