The new action-comedy starringGlen Powell,Hit Man, hasbeaten the Rotten Tomatoes score forTop Gun: Maverick, making it the actor’s best reviewed movie to date. The film (which releases in select theaters today before dropping on Netflix in June), followsfake hit man, Gary Johnson (Powell), who’s faux career becomes embroiled in real life danger when he’s hired by a woman to assassinate her abusive husband. Directed by Richard Linklater (Boyhood),Hit Manpairs Powell’s action experience, stemming from his roles inTop Gun: Maverickand the upcomingTwisters, with his recent success in the rom-com genre following 2023’sAnyone But You.
From director Richard Linklater comes Hit Man, a 2023 action comedy film based on aTexas Monthlyarticle of the same name. Undercover and trying to catch a group of criminals, a Houston police officer poses as a hitman until he falls for a woman on assignment. Finding himself diving deeper into the world of crime, the Houston officer finds it increasingly difficult to escape his new undercover persona.
Following the film’s limited theatrical release, the first reviews have dropped online, andHit Manholds animpressive 97% on RT, making it certified fresh on the review aggregate site. The 115 reviews unanimously agree that Linklater’sHit Manis “darkly funny” and features strong chemistry between its two leading stars, Powell and Adria Arjona.Empire Magazinehas described the film as a must-watch, rating it 4/5, and saying:
“Glen Powell achieves certified movie-star status and Adria Arjona shines in this slick, seductive romantic thriller. Don’t let it get buried in your Netflix watch list.”
Many of the reviews agree thatHit Mandeserves to be watched on the big screen.Voxalso held the film in high praise, and called it a triumphant return togood old-fashioned romantic action-comedies. Their review read:
“It’s just fun to watch good old-fashioned comedy in which love, danger, and happy endings are all part of a damn fine evening at the movies.”
Glen Powell Is Being Selective With His Filmography
Netflix’sHit Manmarks the next link in a long chain of successes for the actor. Although he’s been acting professionally since 2003 (beginning with a surprising bit part inSpy Kids 3: Game Over), Powell first gained recognition for his recurring role in the horror seriesScream Queens. However, it was his supportingrole in 2022’sTop Gun: Maverickwhich propelled the actor into the spotlight. The actor’s modern filmography is filled with very few critical or commercial duds, and that’s thanks in part to the actor’s selectiveness towards his projects.
Hit Man Star Reveals How Steamy Bath Scene Resulted in Painful Rash
Adria Arjona said her intimate scenes with Glen Powell were overshadowed by props mistake.
Recently, Glen Powell discussed what draws him to projects whilst revealing why he turned down theleading role in the upcomingJurassic World 4.The actor said he wants to focus on projects that make him happy, and that he knows the audience will enjoy. Powell also said he desperately wants to avoid “pandering Oscar bait” and “Marvel fare” - meaning long-running fan castings for Powell to play Sentry in the MCU are dead and buried. The actor said:
““It’s about choosing where you’re going to make an audience happy and where you’re going to make yourself happy.”
His choices have led to the actor being involved with some interesting upcoming projects. Glen Powell will return to cinemas very shortly in the upcoming natural disaster blockbuster,Twisters, starring alongside Daisy Edger-Jones. Most excitingly, Powell is also set to star in Edgar Wright’s (Hot Fuzz&Baby Driver) remake ofthe cheesy 80s romp,The Running Man.
Hit Manreleases in select theaters today (May 24) before streaming on Netflix on June 14, 2025.
