Hit Man is a rom-com that follows Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, a professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for the police. He begins to excel as he develops personas for each hitman as a part of each sting. However, he becomes entangled in the life of one client, Madison, played by Adria Arjona and he has to navigate their complicated relationship.
It baffled me that this movie struggled to find a theatrical release and it ended up with a limited run and wide Netflix release. This movie is awesome, thanks in large part to Powell and Arjona.Â
One of the most impressive things to me is when an actor can play an actor or multiple in one movie. Powell creates new characters each time he is sent into a sting operation and he is incredible at flipping the switch. Gary is mild-mannered and unassuming, but when he needs to, he becomes a dominant force. Each character he creates is so unique and he gives each one so much character, that even though they’re only on screen for a bit, I feel like they are their own person.
Outside of the personas, he just does such a good job of being a lead. He is so charismatic no matter what he is doing. I found myself smiling while watching the montage of sting operations just because his performance was so entrancing.Â
Arjona is great as Madison. She is the character that breaks Gary’s focus. He works to get these people seeking a hitman arrested but she’s the one that makes him blow the arrest to help her. She is misguided by her abusive husband and his attraction and kind nature doesn’t want her to get arrested for this. As the two get closer and more intimate, she shows she’s not afraid to stand up for herself and kicks off the main conflict of the movie.
One thing that needs to be said is that Hit Man is not an action movie. There is no hitman, there are no gunfights, and there are no big fight scenes. This is a very cleverly crafted romcom. It does have a common rom-com story progression, but I appreciate how the conflict between the two isn’t forced and it is resolved very simply. The chemistry between Powell and Arjona is so strong as well.Â
I like that they treat their relationship as more casual. It is very physical and intimate and it makes sense given what they have been through. After seeing Powell work with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You and Zoey Deutch in Set It Up, I think he’s just the best actor for a rom-com because he always has great chemistry with his co-lead.Â
FINAL THOUGHTS
Hit Man is one of my favorite movies of the year already. Glen Powell is truly incredible in this movie. He creates so many unique and charismatic personas for this role and they are true delights to see. The movie is so fun to watch thanks to its two leads and its tone. Please go give this movie a watch because you will enjoy every minute of it.
