--- title: "Hit Man: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/hit-man/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/hit-man" critics_score: 80 critics_reviews: 32 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Hit Man (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 80 from 32 reviews: 29 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like Hit Man, and they agree on where the credit lies. Glen Powell’s performance, and in particular his run of comic disguises as Gary tries on one hitman persona after another, is singled out in almost every review. Close behind is his chemistry with Adria Arjona; more than one review names a long argument scene between them as the film’s high point. Linklater’s direction is called relaxed and generous, and the script gets credit for keeping a dark moral edge under the farce. The reservations are mild and cluster around tone and length. Several reviews find the move from comedy into something darker uneven, and the character shifts underwritten. The spread is narrow: nobody is hostile, and even the mixed notices call the film charming. Variety thinks the plot sprawls and the identity theme grows self-conscious; /Film finds it slight and forgettable; The AV Club says the polish makes it feel less personal than Linklater’s best work. ## Evening Standard — Jo-Ann Titmarsh Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2023. Festival review. Titmarsh calls the film hugely entertaining and a gem. She praises how its screenplay deftly combines dark thrills with classic farce. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/hit-man-movie-review-richard-linklater-glen-powell-b1104997.html) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. Strong finds the film a riotously entertaining, fresh black comedy with a darker moral undercurrent. She especially praises Glen Powell’s shape-shifting lead performance and the sharp script. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/festivals/hit-man-first-look-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. Felperin calls the film smart, steamy screwball fun and predicts viewers will leave delighted. She particularly praises the chemistry and comic timing of Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hit-man-review-richard-linklater-glen-powell-1235582145/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2023. Festival review. Ebiri finds the film genuinely fresh and suggests it could be a masterpiece. He praises Linklater’s gentle, generous direction and Glen Powell’s charming, self-aware star turn. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/richard-linklaters-hit-man-review-glen-powell-a-star.html) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2024. Newland finds Hit Man an entertaining, light-footed crime romp that balances comedy with darker moral questions. She especially praises the fizzy chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/hit-man-review-richard-linklater-glen-powell-cinema-gold-3091879) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 82/100 (inferred from the text). 31 May 2024. Brody finds the film a clever, resonant romantic comedy, though its rushed character development and clichéd ending weaken it. He especially praises Glen Powell and Adria Arjona’s lively performances and charged chemistry. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/10/hit-man-movie-review) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 4 September 2023. Festival review. The critic calls the film very good and supremely funny. The review singles out its entertaining take on assassin-comedy conventions. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hit-man-2023) ## Total Film — Jane Crowther Rating 4/5. 5 September 2023. Festival review. The critic calls the film a fizzy, funny, heightened good time, though not an awards contender. She especially praises the combustible chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/hitman-2023-review/) ## Empire — Sophie Butcher Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 2 December 2024. Butcher calls it an entertaining, refreshing romantic thriller, though its character shifts and emotional pacing sometimes feel underdeveloped. She especially praises Powell and Arjona’s magnetic chemistry and Powell’s comic transformations into a parade of hitman personas. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hit-man/) ## The AV Club — Natalia Keogan Rating B. 6 June 2024. Keogan finds the film a slick, sexy comedy-noir, but says its polished commercial tone feels less personal than Linklater’s best work. She praises Powell and Arjona’s crackling chemistry while noting Powell’s magnetism can undercut the character’s depth. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hit-man-review-killer-chemistry-meets-existential-exam-1851523318) ## Los Angeles Times — Mark Olsen Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 June 2024. Olsen finds Hit Man an enjoyable, breezy film with unexpected depth, though its tonal shift and plot mechanics cause it to lag. He especially praises the chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, singling out their multi-layered argument scene. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-06-06/hit-man-glen-powell-adria-arjona-richard-linklater-review) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. Halligan presents the film as a funny, confident crowdpleaser. She singles out its lively treatment of the twisting true story of Gary Johnson. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/hit-man-venice-review/5185572.article) ## Sight and Sound — BFI Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 14 September 2023. Festival review. The critic finds the comedy’s surface charm gives way to a persuasive, refreshingly bitter edge. Glen Powell’s performance is singled out for its deft, funny portrayal of a self-conscious man trying on new identities. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/hit-man-richard-linklaters-contract-killer-comedy-leaves-refreshingly-bitter-aftertaste) ## Slant Magazine — Zach Lewis Rating 3/4. 4 October 2023. Lewis finds the film relaxed and engaging, praising its playful subversion of contract-killer movie expectations. He also highlights Glen Powell’s nuanced performance as Gary shifts between identities. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hit-man-review-richard-linklater-glen-powell/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2024. Dargis finds the film an entertaining, deftly handled romantic comedy. She singles out Glen Powell’s performance and the film’s playful genre-bending. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/movies/hit-man-review.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2024. Bradshaw finds the film a thoroughly entertaining, diverting caper, though it struggles to blend off-screen violence with its good-humoured comedy. He praises Glen Powell’s cheerfully likable performance and the film’s playful exploration of identity through Gary’s shifting roles. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/23/hit-man-review-glen-powell-richard-linklater) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B-. 5 September 2023. Festival review. Ehrlich finds the comedy charming but too safe and not particularly funny. He praises Glen Powell’s movie-star charisma and the fizzy chemistry between Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/hit-man-review-glen-powell-richard-linklater-1234902288/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page content is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hit-man-film-review-2024) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. Gleiberman finds the film amusing and entertaining, but says its sprawling plot runs too long and its identity theme grows self-conscious. He praises Glen Powell’s performance and the film’s delicious comic moments. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/hit-man-review-richard-linklater-glen-powell-venice-film-festival-1235713234/) ## The Wrap — William Bibbiani Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. The critic calls the film uproariously entertaining and praises its revival of the screwball studio comedy. They single out Glen Powell’s comic transformations and the sizzling chemistry between Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/hit-man-review-richard-linklater/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. Hammond calls it a hilarious winner and a crowd-pleasing sleeper. He praises Glen Powell’s effortless performance through the disguises and shifting circumstances. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/09/hit-man-review-glen-powell-richard-linklater-venice-film-festival-1235536369/) ## Digital Spy — Mireia Mullor Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2024. The critic calls Hit Man a delightful, highly entertaining romantic comedy with an unusually thoughtful edge. She especially praises Glen Powell’s charismatic performance and physical comedy. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a61005342/hit-man-netflix-review/) ## Film Stories — James Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2023. Festival review. The critic calls it a hilariously charming, highly entertaining genre mash-up with star-making potential for Glen Powell. They praise Powell’s transformative performance and the chemistry between him and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/hit-man-review-glen-powell-shoots-for-stardom-in-richard-linklaters-brilliant-comedy/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The critic calls Hit Man an exceptionally fun, crowd-pleasing film. They single out Glen Powell’s range and comic timing, along with his chemistry with Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/hit-man-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds Hit Man an uproarious crowd-pleaser and praises Linklater’s precise pacing. They also single out the chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/hit-man-richard-linklater-3758252) ## Polygon — Oli Welsh Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2024. The critic calls it a great romantic comedy with a delicious bite, despite some slackness and underwritten elements. They single out a brilliantly conceived scene where the leads’ chemistry and dialogue unite romance with danger. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/24172887/hit-man-netflix-review-glen-powell-adria-arjona/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 83/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2023. Festival review. The headline presents the film as a smart, sexy, delightful comedy. It singles out how well the role suits Glen Powell, who co-wrote and stars in it. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/hit-man-review-glen-powell-co-writes-and-stars-in-a-smart-sexy-delightful-richard-linklater-comedy-tailored-to-his-talents-venice-20230905/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating 8/10. 12 September 2023. Festival review. Bonaime praises Hit Man as an entertaining, successful noir experiment and Linklater’s best film in years. He especially singles out Glen Powell’s comic versatility and the lively chemistry between Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://collider.com/hit-man-movie-review/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4/5. 6 June 2024. The critic calls Hit Man an infectious, irresistible crowdpleaser and a breakout showcase for Glen Powell. He praises Powell and Adria Arjona’s charismatic performances and Linklater’s playful blend of film noir and romantic comedy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hit-man-review-watch-glen-powell-movie-stardom/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2024. Nayman finds Hit Man slick and entertaining while arguing that its cheerful surface conceals a disturbing portrait of American rage. He particularly praises Glen Powell’s shape-shifting performance and his ability to balance goofiness with ruthlessness. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2024/06/07/movies/hit-man-netflix-movie-richard-linklater-filmography-dark-side) ## Paste — Anna McKibbin Rating 7.9/10. 7 June 2024. McKibbin finds the film a charming, lively old-school romantic comedy, despite its occasionally shallow philosophical musings. She particularly praises the easy chemistry and playful performances of Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/richard-linklater/hit-man-review) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 6/10. 24 May 2024. The critic finds the film charming and enjoyable but slight, tonally lopsided, and often forgettable. They single out Adria Arjona’s performance and the chemistry between her and Glen Powell as its highlights. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1588298/hit-man-review-glen-powell-netflix/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/hit-man.md