A new trailer for Hit Man has arrived. The upcoming movie was written by Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Richard Linklater (Boyhood), with Powell starring and Linklater directing. It focuses on a man who poses as a contract killer for police sting operations, and has both comedic and thriller elements. Other stars in the film include Adria Arjona, Retta, Austin Amelio, Mike Markoff, Molly Bernard, Morgana Shaw, and Evan Holtzman. Hit Man‘s Netflix release date is set for June 7, with limited theatrical screenings starting May 24.
Now, Netflix has released a new Hit Man trailer, which opens with Powell’s status as a hit man being doubted.
The scene then transitions to the protagonist, while sitting with his cat at home, saying “My name is Gary Johnson, and I’m a fake hit man.” The Hit Man trailer then shows Powell in multiple costumes as undercover personas, and sets up how Gary Johnson tries to navigate his secret life with his romantic escapades.
Replete with unique costumes and ample stylization, this latest Hit Man trailer looks quite promising. Powell looks charming in the lead role, opposite a mysterious and intriguing Arjona. Hit Man also clearly features sharp comedy, with a characteristic Linklater flare. The trailer uses narration as a tool to get inside the mindset of Gary Johnson, a tactic which also has good comedic potential if laid out over the entirety of the film.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of this Hit Man trailer is the central performance from Powell. As Gary wears his various disguises, Powell adopts the persona evoked by said costume, allowing the actor to demonstrate his full chops. One moment, he might be slick and stylish, while the next, he is far more bumbling and awkward. This range in Gary’s character is an intriguing hook that has the potential for comedy and a great showcase of the star’s talent.
Powell’s career has been on the rise the last couple of years. He played supporting character Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin in 2022’s hit film Top Gun: Maverick. Last year, he was also in the breakout rom-com Anyone But You opposite Sydney Sweeney. Hit Man will mark Powell’s third collaboration with Linklater, having previously acted in Everybody Wants Some!! and Apollo 10 ½ : A Space Age Childhood.
Hit Man offers Powell an opportunity to really break out into the leading man role in a way his other films have not. While he was the male lead in Anyone But You, offering a charming performance, this role he helped write for himself should take better advantage of his potential. Considering Hit Man reviews from its 2023 festival premieres have been positive, the movie has a good chance to further propel him into fame after Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You suggested he was ready to take off.
Source: Netflix