Our take
How to Make a Killing is rated R. Glen Powell plays a disowned heir murdering wealthy relatives to reclaim his birthright in a stylized eat-the-rich satire. Expect multiple killings, black comedy, strong language, and tonal swings between charm and violence. Not for kids despite the playful title
Story (may spoil tone)
Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Multiple murders and staged accidents drive the inheritance scheme
Multiple murders and staged accidents drive the inheritance scheme
Language Frequent strong profanity during scheming, confrontations, and quips
Frequent strong profanity during scheming, confrontations, and quips
Sex / nudity Flirting and suggestive moments; not the primary focus
Flirting and suggestive moments; not the primary focus
Drugs / alcohol Wealthy-party drinking and casual substance references
Wealthy-party drinking and casual substance references
Frightening Tension around killings, but tone stays satirical more than horror
Tension around killings, but tone stays satirical more than horror
Self-harm / suicide A suicide reference may appear as part of a murder plot device
A suicide reference may appear as part of a murder plot device
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Death scenes and weapons use vary from bloodless to moderately graphic
Death scenes and weapons use vary from bloodless to moderately graphic
Dangerous behaviour Detailed murder planning could read as clever rather than condemned
Detailed murder planning could read as clever rather than condemned
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Family deaths are plot mechanics rather than emotional focus
Family deaths are plot mechanics rather than emotional focus
Talk after watching
- Becket targets family for money. Where does satire end and glamorizing crime begin?
- The film riffs on classic inheritance thrillers. What makes dark comedy feel acceptable on screen?