How to Make a Killing
How to Make a Killing (2026) is a black comedy thriller distributed by A24, centering on Becket Redfellow, a man disowned from his obscenely wealthy family. Fueled by his mother's dying wish and a sense of entitlement, Becket embarks on a darkly humorous quest to eliminate the seven relatives ahead of him in the line of inheritance. The film is framed by Becket recounting his murderous tale to a priest while on death row. Directed by John Patton Ford and starring Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, and Ed Harris, the movie explores themes of greed, class conflict, and dysfunctional family dynamics through a satirical lens. It is rated R for strong language, violence, and some suggestive content, making it appropriate for mature audiences.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film's central plot involves the protagonist, Becket Redfellow, systematically murdering seven of his relatives to inherit a fortune. Violence is depicted frequently and includes various methods of killing with some graphic details.
Examples include Becket tying an inebriated relative's leg to an anchor and sending him to a 'watery grave,' a character dying from a bomb explosion, and another being killed by an arrow impaling their throat. The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) rated the film with "Strong violence, injury."
Profanity
HighThe film features frequent use of strong, crude language throughout, contributing to its R-rating.
The MPAA rating includes 'language' as a descriptor for its R-rating. The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) explicitly notes "Strong Language" and states that "language is frequent." Reviews also refer to "heavy crude language" and "profanity riddled one liners."
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film is a dark comedy thriller involving a protagonist on death row recounting his serial murders, which creates an intense and potentially disturbing atmosphere, despite comedic elements.
The narrative is framed by Becket Redfellow telling his story of murder to a priest while on death row. The plot itself is a "calculated campaign of manipulation, betrayal, and calculated violence." The film is described as having a "tense" style and a plot driven by "obsession." Specific violent acts, such as a man dying from an arrow impaling his throat, contribute to the intense content.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, as the protagonist's entire motivation stems from defying his family's disownment and rebelling against legal and moral norms to claim an inheritance through murder.
Becket's mother was disowned for having him out of wedlock against her father's wishes. Becket subsequently commits serial murders to claim his inheritance, demonstrating extreme rebellion against both family and societal laws. His actions are a direct defiance of traditional family structures and legal order.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe movie contains moderate romantic and sexual content, including suggestive dialogue, revealing attire, and implied sexual activity, without explicit graphic scenes.
Characters are shown in "very revealing swimwear at a pool party" and women wear dresses that "reveal cleavage." Becket kisses Ruth while she is still in a relationship with another character, and his childhood crush Julia teases him in a "sexually charged manner" and makes "suggestive remarks" as an adult, even after her marriage. Julia is also described as a "sultry and sexy femme fatale" and a "blackmailing seductress."
Substance Use
MediumThe movie includes depictions of alcohol consumption and hints at drug use or a 'strung-out' character, suggesting that substance use is present in the narrative.
Becket's first kill involves an "inebriated relation on a boat." Additionally, Topher Grace's character, Pastor Steven J. Redfellow, is described as a "paranoid megachurch pastor who's overdone it with looksmaxxing treatments" and a "scummy, strung-out Christian musician." Plugged In also lists "Drug & Alcohol Content" as a concern.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film features elements that could be perceived as irreverent towards Christian themes, including an unrepentant murderer recounting his story to a priest without seeking absolution, and a satirical portrayal of a Christian pastor.
The protagonist, Becket Redfellow, is on death row and recounts his murders to a priest, explicitly stating he is "not too interested in the confession part, but he'll be happy to tell his tale." Topher Grace portrays a "paranoid megachurch pastor" who is also described as a "scummy, strung-out Christian musician," suggesting a satirical or negative depiction of a religious figure. While one review notes a 'biblical warning' about the love of money, this message is presented within a narrative that treats Christian figures and rituals with some disregard.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowSearches for LGBTQ+ content specifically related to "How to Make a Killing (2026)" did not yield any direct information about LGBTQ+ characters or themes within the movie itself. While some search results mentioned other films with LGBTQ+ representation, these were distinct from the content of the requested media.
No explicit or implied LGBTQ+ characters or themes were found in the available content summaries or reviews for "How to Make a Killing (2026)".
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo instances or themes of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, or supernatural elements were identified in the available content reviews or plot summaries for this film.
The core plot focuses on a dark comedy thriller about inheritance and murder, with no mentioned involvement of occult or witchcraft elements.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
R-rated; recommended for mature audiences aged 17+ due to strong violence, pervasive crude language, suggestive sexual content, and themes of murder and moral ambiguity.
Additional Notes
The film is a black comedy thriller, and its comedic tone may temper the perceived severity of some concerns for certain viewers, but the explicit descriptions of violence and dark themes remain. The movie is a loose re-imagining of the 1949 British film 'Kind Hearts and Coronets.'
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