Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Twisty thriller-comedy has sex, language, and violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Hit Man
What's the Story?
In HIT MAN, Gary (Glen Powell) is a nerdy philosophy professor at a New Orleans university whose electronics skills have led him to part-time freelance work for the local police force. One day he's asked to sub for police officer Jasper (Austin Amelio), put on administrative leave, in posing as a hit man to capture wrongdoers. Gary finds he has a natural talent for the job and begins taking on different looks and identities for each of his sting operations. On one, as the suave operator "Ron," he meets the beautiful Madison (Adria Arjona). After talking her out of killing her husband, the two begin a heated affair. But Madison believes her new boyfriend is a hit man, and Gary likes his new life as Ron. The two will face other obstacles as well.
Is It Any Good?
Glen Powell is on a roll, and there's no doubt this latest film—which shows off some chameleonic acting chops on his part—will find a huge audience. Hit Man is a sexy, twisting mystery with a silly side as well as some philosophizing about the nature of identity and personality construction. Considering this latter theme, the writers—Powell himself, together with director Linklater—could have dug deeper to give co-star Arjona more personality outside the bedroom. We learn little about her beyond her desire for Ron and her reactions to an abusive husband. The one-dimensional portrayal feels like a throwback.
But, as the title alludes, this film is all about the man, and it seems constructed as a showcase for Powell. As Gary, he swaps wigs, accents, even teeth—a man of many disguises. The actor's natural charisma and ability to transition from shy to smarmy to charming in a single scene is on full display here, and he can be very funny. That charm is what helped boost ticket sales for his romcom Anyone But You. Meanwhile, the New Orleans setting sizzles in the film's background and subtly supports themes in Gary's character as well as his philosophy lectures. Watch, for example, for Powell to drive by the corners of Law and Desire or Pleasure and Pain.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Gary's transformation in Hit Man. His university lectures suggest it's a positive thing to evolve your identity over the course of your life. Is his evolution positive? Why, or why not?
How do other characters, like Madison, also reinvent themselves in this film? Do you ever feel you're "playing a role" in your own life?
The movie is inspired by a true story. What responsibilities do filmmakers have when they create films based on someone's life? Where could you find more information about the real Gary Johnson and what liberties the film took with his story?
Do you feel the character played by Puerto Rican actress Adria Arjona falls into a stereotype of Latinas often seen on-screen? How so, or not? Do any other characters in the film feel like stereotypes? Is it ever OK to use stereotypes as shorthand for certain types of people in movies? Why, or why not?
What aspects of the New Orleans setting stood out to you in the film? The film was originally going to take place in Austin, Texas. How does New Orleans play a role in the story? How would the film change if it were set somewhere else, like Austin or your own hometown?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 24, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2024
- Cast : Glen Powell , Adria Arjona , Retta
- Director : Richard Linklater
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, sexual content and some violence
- Award : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 14, 2025
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