Get the latest film news from film critic Clarice Lafley delivered to your inbox free every week.
Receive Life Cinematic Emails for Free
Netflix viewers are raving about the streaming giant’s latest release, “Hitman,” with one scene in particular being praised.
The Hitman, directed by School of Rock’s Richard Linklater, stars Glen Powell (Anyone But You) as philosophy professor Gary Johnson, who is hired by the police to pose as a hitman and assist in an undercover operation.
Gary becomes embroiled in a love affair with a potential client, played by Andor’s Adria Arjona, and must juggle his relationships with a corrupt cop and an abusive ex-boyfriend while also becoming entangled in his own web of lies.
The following contains spoilers for the ending of Hitman. Be warned…
In the film’s climax, Gary arrives at Madison’s (Arjona) house bugged, uses the Notes app on her phone to inform her that he is bugged, gives her instructions over the phone, and sets up a real-time showdown that proves both parties’ innocence.
Within days of its release on Netflix, “Hitman” shot to the top of the UK film charts, and viewers took to social media to praise the film, with many expressing gratitude for its finale.
“The Hitman notes app scene will go down in history,” one person wrote on X/Twitter, while another called the scene “perfect.”
“The notes app scene in Linklater’s Hitman is hands down one of the best scenes of the year, maybe the decade,” someone else commented. “It’s a perfect example of how a brilliant script, flawless direction and top notch acting come together. This scene alone deserves an Oscar.”
Adria Arjona and Glen Powell in The Hitman (Courtesy of Netflix)
Another person commented: “The Hitman notes app scene is both a classic romantic comedy moment and a purely fun slice of old-fashioned comedy – a true timeless classic.”
In her four-star review of the film, Clarice Lafree of The Independent wrote, “Powell’s personality transitions are like magic, and Gary is a real Clark Kent ploy, his square-jawed handsomeness hidden behind a slicked-back side part, wire-framed glasses and terrible posture.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/month after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try it for freeWatch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/month after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try it for free
“The Hitman is also a testament to Powell’s versatility. He can be goofy and sweet one minute and tough the next. And when he finds out Gary is infatuated with one of his targets, Maddie, played by Adria Arjona, Powell turns on the charm like a burner. It’s proof that the rumors about his chemistry with his co-star in the romantic comedy Anyone But You, Sydney Sweeney, weren’t just empty social media rumours.”