Summary
Matthew McConaughey’s legendary role inTrue Detectiveis hilariously parodied by Glen Powell in Richard Linklater’sHit Man. Powell’s characterGary Johnson, who is based on a real-life college professorwho also doubled as an undercover “assassin”, assumes many false identities in Linklater’s latest film.Hit Manis already considered one ofRichard Linklater’s best filmsand is Powell’s highest-rated movie of his career thus far, earning anear-perfect score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.Hit Manwas released on Netflix on August 20, 2025, after a limited theatrical run that began on May 24.
Hit Manhas maintained its spot as the number-one movie on Netflix’s Top 10 list since its debut on the giant streaming platform.Hit Manblends several genres to create a well-balanced mixof screwball/romantic comedy, action-inspired thriller, and classic film noir.Hit Man’scastis also led by Adria Arjona who plays Madison, the unexpected love interest of Powell’s Gary Johnson.Hit Manis full of interesting twists and cleverly toys with the concept of identity through Powell’s portrayals ofRon, Gary, and several other aliases.
Hit Man: Freud’s Psychological Theory Of The Id, Ego & Superego Explained
The Freudian concept of id, ego, & superego as the main provinces of the human psyche act as a key theme for Gary/Ron in Richard Linklater’s Hit Man.
One Glen Powell Alias In Hit Man Seems Like A Parody Of True Detective’s Rust Cohle
Powell takes on nearly 10 different aliases in the Linklater film
One of Gary’s false personas inHit Manappears to be borrowing fromMatthew McConaughey’s exceptional performance as Rust Cohle fromTrue Detective.This iteration of Gary puts on the classic Matthew McConaughey voice and talks pretty cryptically, which makes it seem like an homage to the older Rust inTrue Detective. It also helps that the scene takes place in Louisiana, which adds more evidence to the fact that Powell and Linklater nod to McConaughey in their latest project.
While it’s been some time since McCounghey portrayed Rust Cohle in the exceptional first season ofTrue Detective, it still remains to be one of the actor’s most memorable performances and one that helped spark his career revival during the 2010s. Just beforeTrue Detectiveseason 1 was released,McConaughey won the Academy Award for Best Actorfor his star role inDallas Buyers Club(2013). He would then go on to star in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epicInterstellar, making 2014 the biggest year of his career.
All 10 Hitman & Assassin Movies Referenced In Glen Powell’s Hit Man
Glen Powell and Richard Linklater’s latest comedy movie Hit Man shows several clips of other classic hitman movies and television series.
Matthew McConaughey’s History With Richard Linklater Explains Hit Man’s True Detective Similarity
McConaughey starred in Linklater’s classic Dazed and Confused
Linklater and McConaughey go way back, with their first collaboration occurring more than three decades ago in 1993.Linklater essentially discovered McConaughey after putting him inDazed & Confused, which is one of the greatest and most authentic coming-of-age summer movies ever made. Interestingly, Adria Arjona was also in True Detective season 2, which adds another connection between Linklater’s film andTrue Detective. While Powell and Linklater make a great team inHit Man, it might also be about time that Linklater and McConaughey reunite for another movie.
10 Best Movies Like Hit Man
Richard Linklater’s Hit Man combines several different film genres inclduing romantic comedy and action thrillers. Here are 10 films to watch next.
Hit Man
Cast
Hit Man centers on a mild-mannered professor involved in police sting operations as a fake hit man. His life spirals into chaos when he unexpectedly falls for a potential client, initiating a series of unforeseen complications and dilemmas.
