As a seasoned gamer and cinephile with over two decades of movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen my fair share of crime comedies. However, none have left me as bewildered and slightly frustrated as the 2024 Netflix hit, Hit Man. Don’t get me wrong; I thoroughly enjoyed the film’s premise and Glen Powell’s performance. The idea of a philosophy professor moonlighting as a contract killer was intriguing, and Powell delivered an impressive, nuanced portrayal that had me laughing one moment and biting my nails in suspense the next.
It’s clear that many people enjoy the 2024 Netflix film titled “Hit Man,” starring Glen Powell as a college professor who finds himself in deep trouble when he assumes the role of a contract killer. Critics raved about it, audiences devoured it during its summer release, and I must admit, I found Powell’s performance quite engaging. Yet, there’s an aspect of this movie that leaves me feeling uneasy, and I can’t help but share my thoughts on the matter.
Instead of Powell’s portrayal as an uncharismatic yet comically eccentric teacher being the highlight, it seems that the controversial ending of “Hit Man” is what stands out most. This conclusion, in particular, defies the narrative foundation established during the first hour and a half of the movie. Let me elaborate…
Don’t Get Me Wrong I Love Hit Man’s Premise And Glen Powell’s Performance
Before diving into my critique of the “Hit Man” ending and my issues with the 2024 film’s final act, allow me to express that I am truly captivated by its concept. As a fan of crime comedies blended with a hint of romance and a generous serving of “inspired by true events” elements, this Richard Linklater/Glen Powell collaboration ticked all the boxes for me, at least in the beginning. The notion of a college professor who teaches philosophy during the day and spends his evenings and weekends apprehending individuals attempting to murder their partners, friends, or colleagues is quite entertaining. And, the movie effectively maximizes this concept.
In much the same vein, it’s important to note that the film’s leading actor, Glen Powell, is equally worthy of praise. I firmly believe that this role represents one of his finest performances and offers a level of complexity unmatched in his previous works. As I watched the movie, I was struck by the way Powell seemed to challenge himself, portraying characters that were both absurdly comedic for the audience’s enjoyment yet convincingly realistic enough to deceive some unsuspecting Louisiana residents into believing he was a ruthless, icy assassin.
It’s Just That Gary’s Decisions At The End Go Against Everything That He Stands For
Isn’t it true that you can feel both affection and frustration towards something at the same time? Absolutely! My main issue with the conclusion, or more accurately, the third act of the film Hit Man, is that it seems to contradict the core values Gary Johnson had been portraying throughout the movie.
Despite Gary learning that Madison Figueroa Masters (Adria Arjona) had murdered her husband and attempted to hide it, I continued to chuckle even afterwards. At that moment, I was still somewhat sympathetic towards the two seemingly romantic partners with one of the most peculiar love stories since Mickey and Mallory Knox in Natural Born Killers. However, this sentiment didn’t persist long enough…
Assisting her girlfriend in concealing her husband’s murder is one thing, but getting involved in the act itself opens up a whole new set of complications. When Madison drugged Jasper (Austin Amelio) after he carried out some genuine police work and framed her for the crime, Gary had the chance to save his partner or do something else instead of placing a plastic bag over Jasper’s head, gradually suffocating him.
Initially, Gary’s role was to apprehend individuals planning harm, not become an active perpetrator himself. It was utterly confusing and frustrating to witness this transformation in his character, which I found hard to accept. While it didn’t entirely ruin the movie for me, it certainly left a sour taste.
Jasper Wasn’t The Best Person, But He Didn’t Deserve To Die, Especially Like That
Was Jasper a decent individual? Not quite, it seems. His actions, such as attempting to bribe Gary and Madison upon discovering the life insurance money, do not paint him in a positive light. Moreover, the movie portrayed that his suspension was not solely due to roughing up some teenagers, but also because he had a tendency to be unpleasant towards everyone at the precinct.
You know what, though? He didn’t deserve to die, especially on the living room floor of some New Orleans townhouse while the guy who was supposed to be catching would-be killers before they had their spouses murdered helped with the finishing touches.
However, the situation deteriorates even further. Jasper, drugged and losing consciousness on the living room floor, has a plastic bag put over his head, causing him to suffer a slow death. Meanwhile, as the man who unraveled the mystery struggles to breathe his last breaths, Gary and Madison engage in sexual activity again.
In New Orleans, it’s often said that there are spirits roaming around. Following the finale of ‘Hit Man’, it seems there’s at least one more vengeful ghost in the mix. Let’s hope he finds solace in the afterlife since there was no sense of justice for him in this world.
I Thought Gary And Madison Would Get Caught, But They’re Instead Rewarded For Their Bad Deeds
Through numerous conversations about integrity, honesty, self-identity, and making right choices throughout the film, the conclusion of the Hit Man movie surprisingly discarded these themes, reinforcing the idea that wrongdoers may still reap rewards.
As the events unfolded, I found myself repeatedly pondering if the New Orleans Police Department would intervene and apprehend Gary and Madison before they completed their actions. This thought crossed my mind once more when the plot fast-forwarded to depict the couple thriving years later, having committed two heinous crimes but enjoying blissful lives with charming offspring. However, it seemed that justice was not served for these two victims. Instead, we were treated to Powell’s character repeating his famous saying, “all pie is good pie.
To clarify, although my comments might give the impression that I didn’t enjoy “Hit Man,” it’s important to note that wasn’t entirely accurate. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s as great as the Tomatometer suggests, I did find it entertaining. Moreover, with Glen Powell’s captivating charm on screen, it’s challenging not to have a good time!
Stream Hit Man on Netflix.
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2024-12-01 19:07