Whilst Netlfix largely caters to mainstream tastes, it occasionally surprises us with its commitment to artistic vision. From Scorsese's epic The Irishman to Cuarón's intimate Roma, the streaming giant has proven it's not always afraid to give directors creative control. With Richard Linklater's latest film Hit Man, Netflix once again hits the sweet spot between art house and mass appeal.
Hit Man is an absolute blast - a deliciously dark and sexy comedy that had me hooked from start to finish. The film follows the story of an undercover New Orleans police contractor who regularly poses as a hitman to entrap potential criminals plotting to murder their enemies. When our hitman - Gary Johnson (yes, he shares his name with that libertarian presidential candidate) - finds himself attracted to Madison, a sympathetic woman wanting to escape an abusive relationship - things begin to unravel as he struggles to maintain his professionalism.
The film hinges on the performances of Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Their chemistry is palpable, with an irresistible mix of sexiness and charm that carries the whole movie. Powell - who has been well and truly riding a wave since Top Gun: Maverick - is a revelation, nailing the balance between the comedic and the dramatic. There are a couple of sequences near the start of the film which all film lovers will enjoy - a homage to movie murders and a hilarious costume montage where Powell and Linklater get to have some fun, setting the tone for the film early on.
Linklater's direction is spot on. He's a man who has already proven that he has the delicate touch to balance ridiculous stories with realistic human elements with films like School of Rock and Bernie. Things that shouldn't work, do. The film asks you to suspend your disbelief and jump on board with its twists and turns, then more than rewards you in return.
It's difficult to talk about the dark comedy sub-genre without mentioning the Coen Brothers and this film certainly has its parallels with their works and in particular one of their most underrated films - Intolerable Cruelty. Whilst some of the plot points might have been a bit predictable, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the choices Linklater makes in the third act that will have undoubtedly divided the crowd. Fair warning: you might find yourself rooting for some pretty questionable characters!
Embrace the film's quirkiness, sexiness and comedic elements and you'll be in for a treat. Last year Gene Stupnitsky treated us to No Hard Feelings, proving you can create a sexy summer blockbuster with a bit of creativity behind them.
Hit Man might not reach the heights of Linklater's finest works, but it's a damn good film that makes for a brisk and very enjoyable watch. Whenever I find myself tempted to cancel my Netflix subscription, I'm reminded that every now and then there will be something genuinely creative worth watching.
