Spoiler-Free Review of “How to Make a Killing” in Theaters: A Charming Dark Comedy

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I should warn you…it’s a tragedy.”

How to Make a Killing is a dark comedy thriller film that released on February 20th 2026. The film stars Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Becket Redfellow is down on his luck and makes the rash decision to change his circumstances, leading him to contemplate murdering his relatives one by one to finally get what he has been entitled to for all these years.

Here is the trailer:

How to Make a Killing is a fun dark comedy featuring a terrific performance by Glen Powell. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Glen Powell is brilliant!

I’ve been a fan of his since the Scream Queens days and while he has certainly gotten a lot of terrific roles lately, I’ve been waiting to see him in something a little more suited to his talents and I think we got that with this film.

He was the BEST part of this movie and had twisted charisma that worked perfectly with this character. I’d love to see him take on more roles like this in the future, embracing his dark side a little bit.

Margaret Qualley is always a joy to watch and I hope to see Jessica Henwick in more too. We definitely got a great cast here!

Doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The dark humor really worked well in this film. This could have easily felt very boring and dragged out, but instead there was such an entertaining quality to it. I never looked at the time even once. When films embrace what they should be and just go with it effortlessly, that’s when we often get magic on screen and I thought this film captured the vibe it was going for in a delightful way without trying to do too much.

The Cons:

Mixed feelings on the ending.

It wasn’t bad by any means, but I guess I was expecting something different at the end of this film. Overall, I really enjoyed everything so I wouldn’t say this was a major con, but I was anticipating something a little bit more cheeky at the very end.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

How to Make a Killing is absolutely delightful and a pleasant surprise!

Glen Powell showed off his diabolical charm with style.

I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would and definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for something American Psycho-lite.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts on How to Make a Killing in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Your Monster” on Demand: A Charming and Offbeat Rom-Com That Delivers in All the Right Ways!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“I’m really REALLY sad…”

Your Monster released in theaters on October 25th 2024 and is now available to watch on Demand as of November 12th. The rom-com horror film stars Melissa Barrera, Tommy Dewey, Edmund Donovan, and Meghann Fahey. The film runs for approximately an hour and forty-three minutes.

While recovering from surgery, a musical theater actress is dumped by her boyfriend, but when she uncovers a monster hidden in her closet at her childhood home, she finally unleashes all of the rage she has kept locked away for so long.

Here is the trailer:

Your Monster has everything I want from a rom-com with its clever and dark take on Beauty and the Beast. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Perfect blend of genres!

This film somehow managed to brilliantly mashup two of my favorite genres: rom-coms and “good for her” revenge. I didn’t think that something like this could ever work and I was delighted at the outcome. Lisa Frankenstein also dipped into this style and I think these two films would make a fantastic double feature!

I experienced so many emotions while watching this film. I haven’t enjoyed a movie like this in a really long time. I was laughing and crying throughout all of the key moments, making this such a compelling and heartfelt cinematic experience for me personally. It’s rare to find a movie that can truly make you feel like this and Your Monster accomplished that effortlessly.

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Melissa Barrera is enchanting!

I never would have thought my top two films of the year would both star Melissa Barrera, but she was INCREDIBLE in this! I fell in love with her even more and it was great to see a different role for her. I really related to her character on so many levels and I thought the chemistry in this movie was perfect.

Your Monster had a lot to say without hitting the audience over the head with its messages (which I’ve seen too much of this year). It just told us a beautiful (yet dark and edgy) story while exploring so many emotions that we all go through, making this such a fantastic watch. I seriously have goosebumps from this one. It was absolute perfection for me!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

I don’t have any…

Maybe it needed a touch more gore during key parts, but I honestly didn’t need it. I understood what this movie was trying to accomplish and I thought it was executed brilliantly.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

I’m in 1000 percent!!!!

Your Monster is a “good for her” rom-com that just moved me on another level. Melissa Barrera absolutely shines!

One of my top films of the year!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Your Monster in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

My performance of the week ending 11/16/19 on TV goes to…

Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester on The CW’s Supernatural.

Usually, Sam is the one who brings me to tears, but I have to say that I was beyond impressed with Jensen Ackles’s performance in season 15 episode 5. It really made me think about how far Dean has come as a character, as I started to come to terms with the fact that we are nearing the end of his journey.

For me, Dean has always been the charming one to bring us some much needed comic relief to break up some of the angst and tension we often see throughout the seasons. Dean has certainly had some truly epic and emotional moments as well, but there was something so real and moving about his conversation with Ashley in season 15 episode 5.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you are not up-to-date on the series.

During Dean’s talk with Ashley, he takes a moment to self reflect, especially after Ashley wonders if they might be better off with a set route for their lives. We have previously seen Dean struggle with this, wondering if they are all just Chuck’s puppets, but in this moment, he actually finally realizes that his life is so much more than that.

Dean talks about how much he loves his job and says that he enjoys helping people and that’s the point. It’s about all the small moments and it’s not supposed to be easy. It may not be possible for Dean to save everyone, but every action counts and he recognizes that here.

Even though we later find out that Ashley is actually Lilith, it still doesn’t erase the honest and reflective moment here for Dean. I’ve been watching his character grow for 15 seasons and this was the first time I truly stopped to both smile and cry at his words. Maybe it’s because I know we are approaching the end or maybe it is because I was so proud of Dean for finally realizing that his actions do matter.

What’s next for Dean? We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like he is ready to find some impossible way to stop Chuck/God. I can’t ignore Sam’s dreams or visions and I’m wondering if one brother will truly have to take down the other? This isn’t the first time we have seen a plot like this on SPN, but since we are in the last season, all bets are off.

I don’t want us to lose Dean, but he is no stranger to sacrifice and he would do anything to protect Sam.

Either way, I’m excited to see some more adventures for the Winchester brothers and I’m hoping that there is some way for Dean to make it out of this OK. I sort of just want him to be able to take on the open road at the end of the series, riding off into the sunset, but nothing is ever that easy on SPN.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

My Ship of the week ending 8/17/19 on TV goes to…

Kelsey and Zane on Younger! There are some amazing ships on this show, but I am so in love with Kelsey and Zane and I have been rooting for them for quite a while now. Kelsey hasn’t had the best luck in her previous relationships, but I felt that instant spark and chemistry when she met Zane.

His charming confidence was the perfect match for Kelsey’s stubborn tenacity and these two really compliment each other, while entering into some friendly competition as well, but that’s what makes their relationship scream passion!

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you have not watched season 6, episode 9 yet. Even though it seems like Kelsey and Zane are the perfect match, they haven’t really had their moment in the spotlight yet. Kelsey and Zane both care about their jobs a lot and it has often gotten in the way of their relationship, but it looks like that is finally about to change!

In season 6, episode 9, Zane is hurt when he finds out that Kelsey has been lying to him about Liza’s real age and she tries to work things out with him. This leads to a real and honest conversation between them, as Zane asks Kelsey what she really thought when he told her he loved her. The obstacles appear to be out of the way for now and Kelsey tells Zane that she loves him too, which had me jumping up and down for joy!

Kelsey is such a strong woman and her past relationships consisted of men who simply did not deserve her. Either they didn’t see how amazing she was or they were too busy being selfish, but she was so far out of their league. Even though Zane tries to pretend like he doesn’t care, he does, and he proves that he has a softer and romantic side when it comes to his feelings for Kelsey.

Kelsey and Zane deserve a real chance at happiness and I believe in their relationship. They are beyond adorable together and I love when they go out drinking, as the walls come down and they are finally just themselves with one another. Perhaps Kelsey should leave the cooking to Zane in the future though…

What’s next for Kelsey and Zane? Now that it looks like they are finally giving their relationship a chance, what does this mean for their working relationship? Zane is currently reporting to Kelsey, but this will most likely need to change if they want to avoid more scandal at Millennial, but I can’t wait to see some more swoon-worthy moments for these two and I hope nothing else stands in their way because they are end game for me!

Stay tuned for a recognized Ship on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

Have a Ship that you think is absolutely swoon-worthy? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

My performance of the week ending 7/20/19 on TV goes to…

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars on Hulu’s Veronica Mars season 4. I have been a huge fan of Kristen Bell since the very start of the Veronica Mars series and the show still has a secure spot in my top 5 series of all time. I was so disappointed when the show ended after three seasons, but was pleased when fans finally got to see the movie and I have been counting the days until the release of season 4 on Hulu, which surprise….it’s out a week early!!!!! What???!!!!

I’m so glad I finished my re-watch of the series early so that I can binge-watch all weekend and I have to say that Kristen Bell is still as charming as ever. Veronica Mars may have more of a mature feel now, but that makes sense since we aren’t in high school anymore. Veronica still sticks to her roots, challenging authority, taking chances, and speaking her mind, which brings quite a few laughs along the way. She may be a marshmallow now, but she is also quite the bad-ass and I am having so much fun watching the new season. **Please note spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on!

One of the reasons why I love Veronica Mars so much as a character is because she is far from perfect. Sure, she tends to be the one to solve the case and she often notices clues before the local Sheriff’s office, but she is also guarded with major trust issues, which can get in the way of some of her friendships and relationships. Veronica has a supporting father, some great friendships, and an amazing boyfriend, but she tends to do things on her own.

Some of my favorite moments with her are when she lets that guard down and is finally vulnerable, revealing her doubts and insecurities. I connect with her so much and my heart has broken along with hers over the years. Through it all, Veronica Mars continues to stay true to herself, reminding us that our purpose is sometimes right in front of us.

What’s next for Veronica Mars? We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m wondering if a season 5 is possible? The premise of the show allows a new case or mystery to set the scene and I have been loving the fun cameos and nostalgia sprinkled in across season 4. I’ll always be a Veronica Mars fan for life and Kristen Bell’s performance is real, inspiring, and super fun too! If you haven’t seen the show yet, all of the episodes (seasons 1-4) are now streaming on Hulu and you can watch the movie on HBO GO/Now. That’s all for now Marshmallows! Enjoy the binge-watch!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!