Hit Man is a American romantic crime comedy film produced and directed by Richard Linklater , who co-wrote the screenplay with Glen Powell. It follows an undercover New Orleans police contractor who poses as a reliable hitman as he tries to save a woman in need. The basic premise was based on the true story of a college professor who worked for the Houston police in the late s and s as a fake hitman, as described in a magazine article by Skip Hollandsworth.
It was released in select theaters in the United States on May 24, , before its streaming debut by Netflix on June 7, to critical acclaim. Gary Johnson is a mild-mannered professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of New Orleans who also works for the New Orleans Police Department to assist in sting operations. When Jasper, an undercover detective who portrays fake hitmen to solicit and then prevent murder-for-hire schemes is suspended for brutality , Gary is unwillingly ushered into the role.
Gary quickly finds himself to be a natural in garnering solicitations, researching suspects in advance, and tailoring a unique hitman persona for each. He becomes a confident and charismatic man named Ron for a discontented married woman named Madison, who is trying to have her abusive husband killed.
Gary quickly finds himself both sympathetic and attracted to her, ultimately refusing the money and suggesting she use it to restart her life, much to the disappointment of Jasper and Gary's co-workers, Claudette and Phil.
Gary later begins a sexual relationship with Madison without revealing his true identity to her. To keep up the appearance of being a hitman, Gary shows her how to use a gun, advising her to aim for the heart. While leaving a nightclub, Gary and Madison have a heated encounter with Ray, Madison's husband, which ends with Gary pulling a gun to back him off. Later that night, the couple encounter Jasper, who is suspicious of their being together. A furious Ray attempts to have Madison killed, unknowingly contacting Gary.
