The Astonishing Real Story of 'Hit Man' on Netflix: Unraveling the Mystery of Gary Johnson

Richard Linklater's much-anticipated film, Hit Man, has finally made its debut on Netflix! If you're diving into this romantic action comedy, you might be curious about whether it's inspired by real events and if Gary Johnson, the character at the center, was based on a real-life contract killer.

In the movie, Glen Powell, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, not only stars but also co-writes the script. He plays Gary Johnson, a psychology professor who unexpectedly discovers he has a knack for impersonating hitmen, complete with quirky costumes, accents, and mannerisms. Using his newfound talent, he begins assisting the local police by posing as different personas to nab criminals. However, things take a complicated turn when he crosses paths with Madison, played by Adria Arjona.

Madison seeks Johnson's help in eliminating her husband, but instead of sticking to the plan, she steals his heart, setting off a chain reaction of deception, joy, and mistaken identities, as described by Netflix's Tudum.

Linklater, chatting with the streaming service, explained that Hit Man delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, and passion. He remarked, "But at its core, it's a story of a guy who finds himself in over his head. His passions lead him down a path where he's deceiving the person he loves and living a double life. They have to confront the consequences of those actions."