Netflix’s “Deceptively Dark” R-Rated Thriller Is a Global Sensation on New Streaming Home

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Despite initially premiering on Netflix and becoming a hit in 2024 – boosting the careers of Glen Powell and Adria Arjona and marking a return to form for director Richard Linklater – the raunchy comedy thriller Hit Man is now finding success on HBO Max. After its initial run, the film has unexpectedly resurfaced and is currently climbing the streaming charts on its new platform, two years after its debut.

The new film Hit Man is quickly becoming popular on HBO Max, currently ranking as the fourth most-watched movie worldwide. It’s behind Leonardo DiCaprio’s highly-rated One Battle After Another at number one, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon in second, and the horror film Clown in a Cornfield in third. Hit Man was co-written by Richard Linklater, Glen Powell, and Skip Hollandsworth, and is inspired by the true story of Gary Johnson, though the character of Madison, played by Adria Arjona, and her storyline are made up.

I just finished watching this movie, and it’s wild! It centers around a professor, Gary Johnson, played by Powell, who has this incredibly unusual side hustle – he pretends to be a hitman! It’s all a sting operation with the police, meant to catch people actually looking to hire someone for something awful. I was immediately hooked when I learned about Madison, a woman who tries to hire Gary to deal with her abusive boyfriend. But things get really complicated because Gary and Madison start to fall for each other, and he ends up having to cover his tracks with a ton of lies. The movie’s description says…

Richard Linklater, the director known for his Oscar-nominated films, brings us a stylish neo-noir thriller. Glen Powell plays Gary Johnson, a seemingly ordinary professor who leads a double life as a fake hitman, working with the New Orleans police to catch criminals. Gary is incredibly good at disguising himself, and things get complicated when he starts falling for Madison (Adria Arjona), one of the people who hires him to eliminate an enemy. Their passionate affair, built on lies and role-playing, quickly spirals out of control, raising the stakes and blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

‘Hit Man’ Is “Deceptively Dark” & “Sexy” Thriller


Netflix

The movie Hit Man blends elements of an erotic thriller and a raunchy comedy. Despite this somewhat confusing mix of genres, it was a hit with viewers. It boasts a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a remarkable 89% of audience members enjoyed it.

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Critics and audiences alike are loving Hit Man, describing it as a surprisingly dark yet funny thriller. Many are especially impressed with Glen Powell’s performance, with some calling him a rising star. Viewers also praised the film’s fast pace and the strong chemistry between Powell and Adria Arjona.

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2026-01-14 03:34