Hit Man (2023)

Sometimes you go into a film with a set of preconceived notions, but then you're delighted by how all the parts manage to subvert themselves. Such is the case with Richard Linklater's anti-romcom Hit Man. Based on a "true" story, we're told that hit men don't really exist; they are actually undercover cops who intercept murder-for-hire schemes and convict the would-be criminals. Gary finds himself in the employ of a battered wife who puts a hit out on her husband, but decides to keep this information to himself. As the master of disguise, Glen Powell proves he's not just another handsome face; he actually has the acting chops to back it up. And Adria Arjona may just be the most insanely seductive woman on the planet. Not sure if that accounts for a bump in the rating or not.

3½ good pies out of 5