Glen Powell stars in Hit Man as Gary Johnson, a mild-mannered college professor who poses as a contract killer in police stings. Adria Arjona plays Madison Figueroa Masters, a prospective client who becomes involved with Gary’s undercover persona, Ron. The supporting cast includes Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Rao, Molly Bernard, Evan Holtzman and Gralen Bryant Banks.
Who stars in Hit Man?
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Powell | Gary Johnson / Ron and other personas | A professor who helps the New Orleans Police Department catch people seeking to hire a hit man. Ron is his confident undercover identity. |
| Adria Arjona | Madison Figueroa Masters | A woman who approaches Ron as a prospective client and becomes romantically involved with him. |
| Austin Amelio | Jasper | A suspended, corrupt police officer whose return to the force makes him suspicious of Gary. |
| Retta | Claudette | One of Gary’s police chaperones, supervising him during difficult assignments. |
| Sanjay Rao | Phil | Claudette’s partner and the team’s technology specialist in the surveillance van. |
| Molly Bernard | Alicia | Gary’s ex-wife; the two remain on friendly terms. |
| Evan Holtzman | Ray | Madison’s husband, whose abusive behavior helps lead her to seek out a supposed hit man. |
| Gralen Bryant Banks | Sergeant Hank | The police sergeant Gary and his colleagues report to. |
Netflix’s cast guide identifies these characters and their connections. Netflix’s announcement also names Powell, Arjona, Amelio, Retta and Bernard among the cast.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Hit Man (Blu-ray) | $16.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Hit Man (1972) [Blu-ray] | $22.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Hit Man (2023) ( A Killer Romance ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Denmark ] | $16.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Hit Man Returns [Blu-ray] | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Hitman (+ Digital Copy) | $3.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How Gary’s undercover identity connects him to Madison
Gary is not a real hit man: he helps police catch people who try to arrange murders by acting as one in undercover operations. He adapts his appearance and manner to fit the person each would-be client expects. Ron is the bold, devil-may-care version Madison meets, and she falls for that identity. The attraction puts Gary in conflict with the purpose of his work.
Director and co-writer Richard Linklater called the film “Ultimately, it’s a relationship movie.” He also described its concerns as “identity and self and passion.” Powell, who co-wrote the screenplay, said, “The fantasy of a hit man occupies a place in our brain because it feels like a simple solution to life’s complicated problems.” These comments appear in Netflix’s Tudum feature.
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What is based on a real story—and what is fictional?
The starting point is real: the film was inspired by Texas Monthly writer Skip Hollandsworth’s account of Gary Johnson, who worked with police posing as a fake contract killer. But the romance and the film’s larger plot twists are fictionalized. Netflix also notes that the real Johnson’s disguises were slight, unlike the elaborate personas Powell portrays.
Linklater directed and co-wrote the film with Powell, drawing on Hollandsworth’s article. The production was shot on location in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to Netflix’s announcement. Netflix’s feature on the real-life inspiration explains the distinction between Johnson’s work and the film’s dramatized story.
Rank #2
Spoiler warning: later-story developments
The cast guide above avoids revealing the film’s late plot turns. Netflix’s official synopsis frames the story around Gary’s growing involvement with Madison and the consequences of taking on an identity, but the precise developments are best left unspoiled for viewers who have not seen the film. Read Netflix’s official synopsis for its spoiler-light description.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch Hit Man?
Netflix’s Tudum page lists the film as watchable in selected countries, including the United States, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Vietnam, among others. That list is not a guarantee of current or worldwide availability; check Netflix in your country for the latest listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Factory sealed DVD
Rank #4
Rank #3
- Hit Man (2023) ( A Killer Romance )
- Hit Man (2023)
- A Killer Romance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
