What Is How to Make a Killing About?
The premise of How to Make a Killing in 280 words, with nothing given away. The full story and the ending follow below.
Born into a world of immense wealth he was never allowed to touch, Becket Redfellow grows up on the outside looking in. Disowned before his first breath, he is raised by his single mother, Mary, who was cast out from the opulent Redfellow dynasty for refusing to give up her child. The vast fortune that should have been his birthright remains perpetually out of reach, and Mary’s unwavering belief that her son deserves better becomes the foundation upon which Becket builds his entire identity.
As an adult, Becket lives a modest life far removed from the luxury his relatives enjoy. The contrast between his circumstances and the life that was stolen from him breeds a deep, relentless dissatisfaction. His mother’s lessons about fighting for what one deserves echo through his mind, shaping a worldview where the Redfellow inheritance isn’t merely a want, but an owed debt. The family that erased him continues to thrive, seemingly unbothered by his existence.
The tension between Becket’s blue-collar reality and his obsession with reclaiming his place creates a volatile internal landscape. Every encounter with his wealthy relatives serves as a reminder of what was taken, and every professional setback reinforces his belief that he is living the wrong life. The question becomes not whether he will pursue his claim, but how far he is willing to go to secure it.
As Becket inches closer to the world that rejected him, the lines between justice and ambition begin to blur. The Redfellow name carries weight, privilege, and secrets—and Becket’s determination to reclaim his inheritance will force him to confront uncomfortable truths about family, loyalty, and the price of getting exactly what you think you deserve.
What Happens in How to Make a Killing?
The complete story of How to Make a Killing, from the first scene to the last, in 552 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Beckett Redfellow Glen Powell sits on death row, speaking with a priest as he tries to explain how his life spiraled into murder and what pushed him to this final moment. As a child, he is raised by his single mother, Mary, who is exiled from the wealthy Redfellow clan for choosing to keep her teenage pregnancy. He forms a surprising bond with the more affluent Julia Steinway Margaret Qualley, a relationship that will pull him deeper into the family’s tangled web. Before Mary’s untimely death, she makes sure Becket understands that he should fight for the life he deserves, embedding a cruel sense of destiny in his young mind.
As an adult, Becket encounters a married Julia and suffers a demotion from his job as a suit salesman, an upheaval that seems to push him toward a darker path. He resolves to wipe out the remaining Redfellows to claim the inheritance and the sprawling fortune that comes with the name. He begins by killing his cousin Taylor, and at the funeral he meets Taylor’s father Warren Bill Camp, who offers Becket Taylor’s old job at a financial investment firm. Becket then moves to eliminate Noah, planning his murder while quietly befriending Noah’s girlfriend Ruth Jessica Henwick. After Becket shoots Noah, FBI agents close in, discussing the suspicious deaths but stopping short of naming him as a suspect. Becket pretends he is unsure whether he is eligible for the inheritance, keeping his motives hidden beneath a calm exterior. Julia later steps into Becket’s office, claiming her husband Lyle is broke and asking for a loan, which Becket refuses, keeping his own ambitions intact.
Becket and Ruth’s relationship deepens as they begin dating and even move in together. Yet his ruthless ascent continues: he kills three more Redfellows—Steven, Cassandra, and MacArthur—while advancing in his career and securing a life he thinks he deserves. Warren suffers a heart attack and dies, leaving Becket with one last living Redfellow to confront: his aging grandfather Whitelaw Ed Harris. The household collides in a tense dinner invitation at Whitelaw’s mansion on the night of Becket and Ruth’s engagement party. Julia reveals she has damning evidence of Becket’s murders and will expose him unless he sends money to her husband Lyle. Becket complies, delivering a check to Lyle and abandoning the party to confront Whitelaw in his home. Whitelaw traps Becket and tries to kill him with a shotgun, but Becket defends himself and ends Whitelaw’s life, becoming the sole heir to the fortune.
A celebratory party soon turns grim as FBI agents arrest Becket for the murder of Lyle, who was found stabbed to death in his office with a letter opener that Becket had touched during the money delivery, leaving fingerprint evidence that seals the charges.
Only one day remains before Becket’s scheduled execution when Julia visits the jail. She reveals a suicide note from Lyle that had been withheld from the trial, but only if Becket signs over the entire Redfellow fortune to her. Becket agrees, and Julia releases the note, clearing his name. Ruth waits outside the prison and returns Becket’s mother’s locket before departing without a word. Becket then sees Julia waiting with the Redfellow family driver, and the two depart together toward the family mansion, where a new, uncertain future awaits them.
How to Make a Killing Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Becket's childhood and Mary's exile warning” to “Arrest, exoneration, and ending”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Becket's childhood and Mary's exile warning
Becket grows up with his single mother Mary after she is exiled from the Redfellow family for her teenage pregnancy. Mary stresses to Becket that he must fight for the life he deserves. This early lesson seeds Becket's ruthless ambition later in life.
When:childhood Where:Becket's childhood home
- 2
Becket befriends Julia Steinway
As Becket grows, he forms a connection with Julia Steinway, an affluent young woman. Their unlikely friendship highlights the social divide shaping Becket's choices. The bond foreshadows Julia's later reappearance in his schemes.
When:childhood/adulthood Where:Becket's town
- 3
Demotion and plan to claim inheritance
Becket is demoted from his job as a suit salesman after encountering the married Julia. He resolves to eliminate the remaining Redfellows to claim the family fortune. This marks the start of his ruthless ascent to power.
When:adult Where:Becket's office
- 4
First murder: Taylor Redfellow
Becket executes his cousin Taylor, initiating the family vendetta. The act is swift and calculated, setting a brutal tone for the rest of his scheme. The murder destabilizes the Redfellow line and clears a path for Becket’s ambitions.
When:shortly after demotion Where:Taylor's residence
- 5
Taylor's funeral and Warren's offer
At Taylor's funeral, Warren Redfellow meets Becket and offers him Taylor's old job at a financial firm, tying Becket closer to the inheritance. This encounter provides Becket with a legitimate foothold in the family business. It also deepens the linkage between Becket and the Redfellow fortune.
When:immediately after murder Where:Taylor's funeral
- 6
Becket plans Noah; Ruth enters life
Becket begins planning Noah's murder while befriending Noah's girlfriend Ruth, who becomes a potential ally and later a romantic interest. Ruth's presence adds a human angle to Becket's increasingly remorseless strategy. Their relationship complicates Becket's moral calculations.
When:midpoint Where:Noah's circle
- 7
Murder of Noah
Becket carries out Noah's murder, removing another Redfellow obstacle to his inheritance. The killing accelerates Becket's control over the family fortune and deepens the suspicions surrounding his actions. The act draws stronger attention from authorities.
When:after Ruth involvement Where:Noah's residence
- 8
FBI inquiry begins
Two FBI agents approach Becket, discussing the two suspicious deaths but stop short of accusing him outright. Their cautious questions indicate an official investigation that looms over Becket's every move. The tension of law enforcement becomes a constant undercurrent.
When:shortly after Noah's murder Where:Becket's office
- 9
Julia asks for a loan; Becket refuses
Julia appears in Becket's office, claiming her husband Lyle is broke and asks for a loan, which Becket denies. The moment reveals Julia's leverage and Becket's growing paranoia about being exposed. It also cements their fraught, transactional relationship.
When:soon after FBI visit Where:Becket's office
- 10
Becket and Ruth deepen their relationship
Becket and Ruth begin dating and move in together, seeking normalcy amid his criminal ascent. Their partnership offers Becket a rare personal anchor, though it threatens to unravel as his secrets pile up. The domestic life contrasts with the violent path he has chosen.
When:after Ruth involvement Where:Becket's apartment
Show the other 5 events of How to Make a Killing Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Becket's remaining murders: Steven, Cassandra, MacArthur
Becket undertakes three more killings—Steven, Cassandra, and MacArthur—in quick succession. Each murder further consolidates his grip on the Redfellow fortune. The spree demonstrates the depth of his willingness to remove any obstacle.
When:sequential after Ruth's move in Where:Redfellow properties
- 12
Warren dies and Whitelaw looms
Warren suffers a heart attack and dies, leaving only Whitelaw as the surviving obstacle to Becket's inheritance. The power dynamic tightens around Becket and his aging grandfather. Whitelaw's presence becomes the final challenge Becket must overcome to secure the fortune.
When:after MacArthur Where:Warren's home
- 13
Whitelaw dinner, evidence, and money
Becket is invited to a dinner at Whitelaw's mansion, where Julia reveals she has evidence of Becket's murders unless Becket pays Lyle. Becket agrees to deliver money to Lyle to silence the threat, showing how money and leverage control the outcome. The tension escalates as the mansion becomes a trap.
When:night of Becket's engagement party Where:Whitelaw's mansion; Lyle's office
- 14
Whitelaw slain; Becket inherits
Becket goes to Lyle's office with the promised money, then returns to Whitelaw's mansion where he kills Whitelaw in self-defense. With Whitelaw dead, Becket becomes the sole inheritor of the Redfellow fortune. The final hurdle to his ascent falls in a single night.
When:same night Where:Whitelaw's mansion
- 15
Arrest, exoneration, and ending
Becket is arrested for Lyle's murder at the mansion, but Julia releases a suicide note that clears him. He is set free as the truth comes to light, and the film ends with Ruth's quiet gesture (returning his mother's locket) and Becket heading toward the Redfellow mansion with Julia.
When:immediate aftermath Where:Whitelaw's mansion; prison
Who Are the Main Characters in How to Make a Killing?
13 characters, among them Becket Redfellow, Julia Steinway and Ruth: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Becket Redfellow
Played by Glen Powell
A calculating, ruthless heir who murders relatives to secure the Redfellow fortune. His ascent is marked by rapid corporate success, a calculated romance with Ruth, and willingness to cross ethical lines for wealth. The story follows his paranoia as the net tightens and his innocence is eventually questioned.
- 💰 Wealth-driven
- 🧠 Calculating
- 🎭 Manipulative
-
Julia Steinway
Played by Topher Grace
A cunning woman who uses Becket's ambition to extort money and threatens to expose his crimes. Her presence complicates Becket's climb and drives much of the plot's tension. She embodies manipulation within intimate relationships and triggers key confrontations as the inheritance scheme unravels.
- 🎭 Manipulative
- 💵 Blackmail
- 🔒 Opportunistic
-
Ruth
Played by Jessica Henwick
Noah's girlfriend who becomes involved with Becket and grows uneasy as his crimes pile up. She represents a moral counterpoint to Becket's pursuit of wealth and power. Her choices reflect the personal costs of Becket's schemes.
- 💔 Romantic entanglement
- 🛡️ Moral stance
- 🗣️ Witness
-
Warren Redfellow
Played by Ed Harris
Becket's cousin Taylor's father, an elder patriarch whose wealth anchors the family. His death at Becket's hands (indirectly) catalyzes Becket's final bid for the inheritance. He embodies the toll of dynastic power.
- 🏛️ Patriarchy
- 💼 Wealth
- 🗝️ Power
-
Taylor
Played by James Frecheville
Becket's cousin whose death becomes a stepping stone for Becket's climb up the family ladder. Taylor's legacy haunts Becket, highlighting the cost of ambition within a tight-knit family.
- 🧭 Family ties
- 🗡️ Murky deals
- 💣 Betrayal
-
Noah
Played by Sean Cameron Michael
Becket's cousin who Becket hopes to eliminate; his relationship with Ruth introduces Becket into a more complex network of personal ties that influence Becket's decisions.
- 🧩 Family ties
- 🕵️ Secrets
- 🕰️ Timed ambitions
- M
Mary
Played by Nell Williams
Becket's mother who was exiled from the wealthy Redfellow family for teenage pregnancy. Her warning that Becket should fight for the life he deserves is a recurring motive behind his actions.
- 🌷 Family origin
- 🏛️ Wealth
- 🕊️ Resentment
- L
Lyle
Played by Rafferty Law
Julia's husband, a figure who becomes a leverage point for Becket when Julia threatens to reveal crimes unless Becket provides money. His murder becomes a pivotal moment in the case.
- 💵 Blackmail leverage
- 🧷 Investment
- 🗝️ Vulnerability
-
Whitelaw Redfellow
Played by Bill Camp
Becket's grandfather, a formidable patriarch whose dinner invites become the stage for a deadly confrontation as Becket edges closer to full inheritance.
- 🏰 Dynasty
- 🛡️ Authority
- ⚔️ Final showdown
- J
Journalist
Played by Joe Vaz
A reporter who covers the Redfellow murders and shapes the public narrative around Becket's case.
- 📰 Media scrutiny
- 🕵️ Investigation
- 🗣️ Truth-seeking
- D
Detective
Played by Chris van Rensburg
An investigator who closes in on Becket’s crimes, blending the pursuit of truth with the complexities of admissible evidence.
- 🔎 Investigation
- 🧭 Evidence
- ⚖️ Law enforcement
-
Lawyer
Played by Robert Hobbs
An attorney navigating Becket's case and the legal obstacles that arise as the truth about the murders comes to light.
- ⚖️ Legal strategy
- 💼 Courtroom
- 📨 Testimony
-
Judge
Played by Andre Jacobs
A judge who oversees the case and whose decisions influence Becket's fate in court.
- ⚖️ Justice
- 🏛️ Legal process
- 🧭 Authority
Where and When Is How to Make a Killing Set?
How to Make a Killing is set in Redfellow Mansion, Becket's Office, Lyle's Office, FBI Office, Jail, Funeral…. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Redfellow Mansion, Becket's Office, Lyle's Office, FBI Office, Jail, Funeral Home
The Redfellow Mansion is the central symbol of the family's wealth and influence, serving as the backdrop for Becket's ruthless bid to inherit the fortune. The story moves between Becket's corporate office, where promotions mask moral compromises, and the mansion during key confrontations influenced by money and power. Legal and investigative spaces like the FBI office and the courtroom-adjacent settings appear as Becket's alleged crimes come under scrutiny. Final scenes unfold in the mansion during a high-stakes engagement party, where family legacy collides with legal jeopardy.
- 🏛️ Dynasty
- 💰 Wealth
- 🗝️ Inheritance
- 🏢 Corporate Power
What Are the Themes of How to Make a Killing?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Wealth, Deception and Justice.
-
01
Wealth
The pursuit of the Redfellow fortune drives Becket to violent ends, illustrating how inherited wealth can corrupt ambition. The narrative treats money as both motive and measure of status, shaping relationships and loyalties. Murders and betrayals are leveraged as steps toward securing the family fortune. The film uses the wealth motif to question whether true power comes from riches or moral integrity.
-
02
Deception
Becket's ascent relies on deception, while Julia's threats weaponize knowledge to control outcomes. The plot threads a web of lies, withheld notes, and manipulated evidence that keep the truth in suspense. Characters constantly redefine what is real as motives clash and alibis fray. The eventual reveal upends the narrative that Becket could be innocent or guilty with equal plausibility.
-
03
Justice
The legal system becomes a battlefield where truth and manipulation vie for dominance. Fingerprints, a staged innocence, and a crucial suicide note all influence the course of justice. The story critiques how wealth and power can bend legal processes, yet also shows how truth can emerge and alter fates. The final reversal reframes the moral judgment on Becket's actions.
How Does How to Make a Killing End?
The last act of How to Make a Killing and what it means, in 384 words. The ending lands as bittersweet. Big spoilers: read the plot summary first if you have not seen it.
The final act, in full
The conclusion of How to Make a Killing offers a final, stinging twist of irony for its protagonist, Becket Redfellow. After systematically eliminating his family members to secure a fortune, Becket is arrested for a murder he did not commit. His salvation comes from an unlikely source: Julia Steinway, the very person who framed him. Becket is released from prison through her machinations, but his freedom comes at a steep price. He is forced to leave behind Ruth, the woman who represented his best chance at a genuine, happy life, and align himself with Julia. This ending cements the film’s central tragedy: Becket avoids the death penalty and escapes incarceration, only to find himself imprisoned in a different way, bound to a “terror” who holds his fate in her hands.
Director John Patton Ford describes the ending as a deliberate irony where Becket finally gets what he thought he wanted—wealth and status—but only after realizing he no longer wants it. The victory is hollow, defined by the absence of Ruth and the realization that he has destroyed his own path to joy. Jessica Henwick, who plays Ruth, notes that for a modern audience, it would have been unrealistic and depressing for Ruth to stand by a serial killer. Instead, Becket ends the film as a “disempowered man,” weeping as he returns to the mansion. These tears signal a complex mix of emotions; he has survived, but he is now fully aware of the moral void he has created for himself.
It is worth noting that the film originally conceived a much more severe ending for the character. In an earlier draft of the script, Becket would have been released from jail to find Ruth giving birth to his child. In that version, he would have actively chosen to abandon both Ruth and the baby to pursue Julia and her billions. The studio ultimately rejected this conclusion, feeling it was too punishing for an audience that had been conditioned to root for Glen Powell’s charismatic, “golden retriever” energy. While the filmmakers debated whether the darker ending was more realistic, the final version strikes a careful balance. Becket does not escape unscathed—he is forced to live with the consequences of his greed, trapped in a life of luxury that he now knows he never truly wanted.
What Kind of Film Is How to Make a Killing?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A fast-paced, darkly cynical thriller that follows a man's ruthless and violent campaign to claim his birthright, creating a tense and morally bleak atmosphere punctuated by calculated betrayals.
- suspenseful
- cynical
- calculating
- tense
- ruthless
- melancholic
- inheritance
- murder
- class conflict
- betrayal
Content notes: murder, death row, suicide.
Quiz
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