Glen Powell's latest cinematic venture is staging a dramatic comeback from the comfort of your couch. His darkly comedic thriller How to Make a Killing, which received a lukewarm reception in theaters just weeks ago, has suddenly become one of the most-watched movies on digital platforms, proving that a film's story isn't over when it leaves the multiplex.
The actor, who soared to new heights with the smash hit Anyone But You, has faced a challenging stretch. While his co-star Sydney Sweeney found massive success with The Housemaid, Powell's subsequent project—the big-budget Stephen King adaptation The Running Man from director Edgar Wright—fell short of expectations at the box office. The pressure was on for his follow-up film to deliver a win.
How to Make a Killing arrived in theaters with modest expectations and an equally modest budget of around $15 million. Yet, it still struggled to connect, earning only $13 million globally and garnering mixed reviews that left it with a 44% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. For comparison, The Running Man settled at a 61% score. The theatrical run seemed to tell a clear story of disappointment.
Digital Redemption
However, the narrative has completely flipped on digital. According to industry tracker FlixPatrol, the film shot to the top of the domestic iTunes and Amazon rental charts this week, signaling a powerful second act. This mirrors the path of The Running Man, which found a devoted audience on Paramount+ after its theatrical run. It's a modern Hollywood tale: a film can bomb on the big screen but become a bona fide hit at home.
So, what's driving viewers to stream How to Make a Killing? The film's premise—a biting satire of wealth and class where a man embarks on a murderous quest to secure his inheritance—appears to have finally found its perfect audience. Described by many as "Succession meets Ready or Not," its blend of high-stakes family drama and violent, comedic thrills is resonating in the streaming space. The film also boasts a stellar supporting cast including Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, and Ed Harris, directed by John Patton Ford.
This phenomenon of digital redemption is becoming more common. Just as 'Scream 7' found new life quickly on PVOD, some films are simply better suited for the home viewing experience. The audience scores tell this story best: both of Powell's recent films boast a strong 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, far outpacing the critical reception.
What's Next for Powell?
This digital success provides a much-needed boost for Powell's momentum. The actor is now looking ahead to his next major project: J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated sci-fi film The Great Beyond. A hit there could solidify his leading man status, regardless of a film's initial theatrical performance.
Powell remains plenty busy, with other high-profile roles on the horizon. Fans can also look forward to seeing him lend his voice to the animated realm, as he's set to star as Fox McCloud in the upcoming 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie'.
The journey of How to Make a Killing underscores a shifting landscape in entertainment. Box office numbers are no longer the sole measure of a film's success or cultural impact. A movie can have a quiet opening weekend and still become a word-of-mouth sensation, finding its tribe and its profitability through digital rentals and streaming. For Glen Powell, this digital victory is a satisfying plot twist, proving that sometimes, the kill is just a little delayed.
