Ed Harris on power, wealth and How to Make a Killing
Ed Harris describes Whitelaw Redfellow, his How to Make a Killing patriarch, as a man driven solely by power and wealth who treats everyone as inferior. In a July 2026 interview with The Upcoming, Harris says the dark comedy thriller carries surprising buoyancy as Glen Powell's Becket Redfellow dispatches relatives one by one ahead of its July 6 home release.
That framing from Harris lands as streaming viewers rediscover John Patton Ford's neo-noir thriller after a modest theatrical run. For anyone tracking what is climbing on HBO Max, the veteran actor's comments sharpen why Whitelaw matters to the film's satire of class and morality.
Key Takeaways
- Ed Harris plays Whitelaw Redfellow, patriarch of the ultra-wealthy Redfellow family in How to Make a Killing.
- Harris says Whitelaw is driven by power, wealth, and doing whatever it takes to keep both.
- The A24 thriller is surging on HBO Max charts despite mixed reviews and a $21 million box-office total.
- Reviewers praise much of the dark comedy but fault an uneven final act.
- How to Make a Killing arrives for home viewing on July 6, 2026.
Who Is Whitelaw Redfellow in How to Make a Killing?
In the interview published by The Upcoming, Harris calls Whitelaw the grandfather of Becket, Powell's disowned heir. He is extremely wealthy, ruthless, and guided by his own immorality.
Objectively, Harris says, Whitelaw does not care about anyone but himself. It is about assuming power and treating others as less smart, less wealthy, and less equal. As Harris puts it, it is all about winning, wealth, and doing whatever you have to do to maintain and grow it.
What Did Ed Harris Say About Glen Powell and John Patton Ford?
Harris had never met Powell before filming but was aware of his rising star. The two bonded over college football rivalries, with Powell a Texas Longhorns fan and Harris an Oklahoma Sooners supporter.
Harris felt especially good about their final dinner-table confrontation, citing subtle work between the actors. He praised Ford as a visually confident director with a clear vision who collaborates and listens. Harris also noted dark humor and positive energy from Powell that keeps the film from feeling heavy.
Why Is How to Make a Killing Surging on HBO Max?
According to Looper, Glen Powell's serial-killer thriller is performing well on HBO Max per FlixPatrol even though it flopped theatrically, earning just $21 million against a $15 million budget. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 45% critics score, with a consensus calling it a tonally bizarre comedic thriller.
That streaming rebound matters for viewers browsing Streaming & TV Alerts for the next buzzy HBO Max pick. Powell's likability and the film's recent arrival on the service appear to be driving fresh attention.
What Do Critics Think of the Film Overall?
Jeffrey Lyles of Lyles Movie Files calls How to Make a Killing an enjoyable dark comedy-thriller that navigates both genres until a less than satisfying final act undercuts the fun. He rates it 6 out of 10 and says Harris is solid in a smaller supporting role, though Whitelaw needed more backstory for his face-to-face with Becket to land harder.
Harris told The Upcoming that audience reactions will depend on their own sense of morality. With home viewing arriving July 6, viewers can judge whether the film's dark humor and inheritance-fueled killings deliver the energy Harris promises.