Glen Powell's How To Make A Killing Ending Explained

Variety

by Payton Turkeltaub

February 21, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

John Patton Ford’s film *How to Make a Killing* explores dark themes of greed, identity, and moral ambiguity through its protagonist, Glen Powell’s Becket Redfellow, a working-class man driven by desperation to commit heinous acts for a $28 billion inheritance. Growing up with an FBI agent father shaped Ford’s fascination with crime narratives, influencing his debut feature *Emily the Criminal* and this latest film. Inspired by the 1949 British comedy *Kind Hearts and Coronets*, Ford reimagined the story to reflect modern anxieties about wealth disparity and family dysfunction. Becket, a relatable yet morally flawed anti-hero, navigates a web of deceit, romance, and murder, only to face a fate that underscores the futility of his ambitions. The film diverges from its source material by updating the ending for contemporary audiences. While *Kind Hearts and Coronets* allows the protagonist to choose between two women, Ford’s version strips Becket of agency, leaving him trapped in an unhappy marriage with Julia (Margaret Qualley), a manipulative “femme fatale.” This shift highlights themes of power dynamics and emotional isolation, reflecting modern sensibilities about toxic relationships. Ford initially envisioned a more dramatic ending where Becket reconciles with Ruth (Jessica Henwick) after their child’s birth, but ultimately chose the darker, more

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Originally published on Variety on 2/21/2026