It’s difficult to write comedy. It’s impressive to write good comedy. It’s amazing to write great comedy. It’s incredible to write a good dark comedy film. It is sensational to write a great dark comedy. “How To Make a Killing” is a great dark comedy, even though it isn’t an original comedy but still a great dark comedy- Because the crucial element was not missed to make it work-It has a heart and it punches up. Thus, making it one of the most enduring comedies I’ve seen since “Bottoms.” the elite oligarchs need to be made fun of always. 

The story is simple, a man named Becker Redfellow  is seventh in line to inherit a 28 billion dollar family fortune, and can’t wait for the other before him to die; he decides to speed up the process by murdering them in inconspicuous ways. It’s based on the film “Kind Hearts and Coronets” from 1949, which was based on a book titled “Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal” What makes it enduring is the believable, deeply flawed and occasionally funny characters. The side- characters are the real stars of this. Margret Qualley is phenomenal as a rich kid turned rich woman who has kept the flame on for Becket. The film is booked by Becket being in prison sentence to be put to death actually entices the story more knowing it will go bad but what a fun and thrilling way to get there.  Edited well, and the performances are what really make it genuine. For the first time I’m crediting Glen Powell for a terrific performance, he is quite the star of the film, but the supporting roles are more than just complimentary.  The cast is put together marvelously. BIll Camp, Jessica Henwick, Topher Grace and Margaret Qualley each  deliver top-notch performances. Each cements the story and ties it together.   

“How To Make A Killing” isn’t challenging the arch of comedy. It should not go against it following the steps and tropes of dark comedy and picking on the aristocracy. It is isn’t pushing the boundaries of what is comedy- its just using the simple formula that works-having a main character that the audience can relate to and root for, even if he is a mixture of serial killer Dexter and Talented Mr. Ripley.  Comedy is rooted into delinquency. The inability to fully mature and there’s a moment when one of the supporting characters reveals that they are self-aware of this and is killed off in the most poetic way seals it deal that is a film that understands itself and executes it great is worthy of accolades.  “How To Make A Killing” is another film that proves thats one person’s tragedy is another comedy. There will be many like it that will come again and there were many before it when it arrived.  It just plain works and when the formula is used right, it works terrifically- 8.5/10