What filmmaking techniques does Hit Man use?

CineCode breaks down 5 techniques in Hit Man (2024): Psychological Manipulation, Genre Collage, Dramatic Irony, Real Locations as Character and Identity Construction and Loss.

Who directed Hit Man?

Richard Linklater directed Hit Man, released in 2024. CineCode also covers Dazed and Confused (1993), Before Sunrise (1995), The School of Rock (2003), Before Sunset (2004), A Scanner Darkly (2006), Bernie (2012).

What films are similar to Hit Man?

Films that share techniques with Hit Man include The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001), Blue Steel (1990), Hellboy (2004), True Lies (1994).

Comedy · Crime · Romance

Hit Man

Richard Linklater, 2024

Gary Johnson is a mild-mannered New Orleans professor who helps police by posing as a hitman in murder-for-hire stings. When he meets Madison, who wants her abusive husband dead, he lets his false persona, Ron, take over. Watch how Glen Powell plays several versions of the same man.

2 Psychology 2 Narrative 1 Cinematography

At a glance

Hit Man is a 2024 comedy, crime and romance film directed by Richard Linklater. This breakdown covers 5 techniques (2 psychology, 2 narrative and 1 cinematography), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion uses several of the same techniques.

Psychology

Psychological Manipulation

Showing one character steering another through suggestion, reading, triggers or false trust. The manipulation works because the target wants to believe or cannot resist.

How this film uses it

Gary researches each person before the sting and invents a different hitman persona to suit them. He wins their trust by giving each suspect exactly the criminal they want to see. The trick works because they want to believe it.

Where to see it

Gary's first stings as a stand-in: Gary quickly proves a natural at drawing out solicitations and tailors a unique persona for each client.

Narrative

Genre Collage

Mixing several genres in 1 film, such as crime, romance, horror and absurd comedy. The clash between them keeps you from settling into a single way of watching.

How this film uses it

The film plays as a romantic comedy, a crime caper and a murder mystery at once. A sweet love story sits on top of real danger. You never settle into one way of watching it.

Where to see it

Gary and Madison's relationship: Gary falls for Madison and begins a sexual relationship with her while still posing as Ron, her hitman.

Narrative

Dramatic Irony

Letting the audience know something a character doesn't. You watch them act without that knowledge, which creates suspense, dread or dark comedy.

How this film uses it

You know Ron is really Gary, a college professor, but Madison does not. Every kiss and every gun lesson plays on that gap. You watch her trust a man who does not exist.

Where to see it

The gun lesson: Gary shows Madison how to use a gun and tells her to aim for the heart, knowing she thinks he is a real hitman.

Cinematography

Real Locations as Character

Filming in recognizable real places so the setting acts like part of the cast. Streets, buildings and landscapes shape the mood of the story.

How this film uses it

The film was shot in New Orleans in autumn 2022, and the city's sticky, strange feel suits a story about people pretending to be someone else. Offices, bars and apartments feel lived in, so the lies feel like they could really happen.

Where to see it

The nightclub confrontation: Gary and Madison leave a nightclub and run into her husband Ray, and Gary pulls a gun to back him off.

Psychology

Identity Construction and Loss

Showing a character's sense of self being built, borrowed or stripped away by pressure, roles or the group. Who they are shifts with what they wear, say or join.

How this film uses it

Gary is quiet and careful, while Ron is confident and charming. As Ron, Gary becomes bolder with Madison, and he starts to like who he is when he plays the part. The film asks whether the mask is really the true self.

Where to see it

The confession scene: Gary wears a wire and pretends to interrogate Madison as Ron, giving her acting cues typed on his phone.

Questions

Hit Man: quick answers

What filmmaking techniques does Hit Man use?: CineCode breaks down 5 techniques in Hit Man (2024): Psychological Manipulation, Genre Collage, Dramatic Irony, Real Locations as Character and Identity Construction and Loss.
Who directed Hit Man?: Richard Linklater directed Hit Man, released in 2024. CineCode also covers Dazed and Confused (1993), Before Sunrise (1995), The School of Rock (2003), Before Sunset (2004), A Scanner Darkly (2006), Bernie (2012).
What films are similar to Hit Man?: Films that share techniques with Hit Man include The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001), Blue Steel (1990), Hellboy (2004), True Lies (1994).

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