How to Make a Killing: What Really Happened With the New Margaret Qualley Movie

How to Make a Killing: What Really Happened With the New Margaret Qualley Movie

So, you’ve probably seen Margaret Qualley’s face everywhere lately. Between the wild, body-horror madness of The Substance and her recent stint in the Coen-verse, she's basically the go-to for directors who want someone who can look ethereal and absolutely unhinged at the same time. But if you’re looking for the new Margaret Qualley movie to keep on your radar for 2026, the conversation has shifted.

We’re talking about How to Make a Killing.

Honestly, the rollout for this one has been a bit of a maze. You might have originally heard of it as Huntington. It’s a sleek, dark-as-night comedy thriller from John Patton Ford, the guy who gave us Emily the Criminal. A24 is behind it, which usually means two things: it's going to look gorgeous, and it’s going to be weird.

Why the New Margaret Qualley Movie Changed Its Name

Hollywood is obsessed with titles. Originally, the project was called Huntington, named after the obscenely wealthy family at the center of the plot. Then, around late 2025, Glen Powell—who stars alongside Qualley—basically let it slip that they were rebranding.

Why? Because How to Make a Killing sounds a lot more like the ruthless revenge flick it actually is.

The story is loosely based on the 1949 British classic Kind Hearts and Coronets. If you haven't seen that, the vibe is basically: "I’m the rightful heir to a massive fortune, but several annoying relatives are in my way, so I’m going to systematically remove them from the planet."

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Qualley plays Julia. She’s the childhood friend of Powell’s character, Becket Redfellow. While Powell is the one doing the literal or metaphorical "killing," Qualley’s role is that anchor—or perhaps the catalyst—that keeps the stakes feeling real.

The Casting Shakeups and Near Misses

It’s worth mentioning that Qualley’s schedule has been a total jigsaw puzzle. For a while, everyone thought her next big thing was going to be Victorian Psycho. That was an A24 gothic horror project where she was supposed to play a murderous governess.

She actually exited that project.

Maika Monroe took over that role in May 2025. It’s one of those "what could have been" moments for fans, but it cleared the deck for her to focus on How to Make a Killing and her other big 2025-2026 releases like Blue Moon and Honey Don't!.

What to Expect from "How to Make a Killing"

The film is currently slated for a March 13, 2026 wide release. Here’s what we actually know about the production:

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  • The Vibe: It’s being described as a "black comedy thriller." Think sharp suits, bloody messes, and a lot of dry humor about the 1%.
  • The Cast: It’s stacked. You’ve got Glen Powell at the height of his "movie star" era, Ed Harris playing the grandfather who started the whole mess, and Qualley bringing that specific brand of magnetic intensity she’s perfected.
  • The Setting: They filmed a good chunk of this in Cape Town, South Africa, standing in for some high-society locales.

Don't Forget "Blue Moon" and "Honey Don't!"

If 2026 feels too far away, Qualley has been busy in the immediate rearview, too. If you missed Blue Moon, go find it. It’s a Richard Linklater project (the Before Sunrise guy) where she plays Elizabeth Weiland. It’s a 1943 period piece about the lyricist Lorenz Hart. It’s way more grounded than her usual stuff, and her chemistry with Ethan Hawke is genuinely sweet.

Then there’s Honey Don’t!.

This one hit theaters in August 2025. Directed by Ethan Coen, it’s a total trip. Qualley plays a private investigator named Honey O'Donahue. She’s investigating cults and strange deaths, and she does it while wearing high-waisted trousers and carrying a lot of swagger.

The critics were a bit split on it—some called it "pointless," others loved the "lesbian B-movie" energy—but everyone agreed that Qualley was the best part of it. She has this way of owning the screen even when the script is literally falling apart around her.

What’s Next for Margaret Qualley in 2026?

Beyond the revenge plots and the 1940s musicals, Qualley is also tied to King Snake. This is a southern gothic horror film directed by Jeff Nichols. It’s supposed to start filming in April 2026 in Arkansas.

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It’s about a young couple who inherits a farm and realizes the soil is basically cursed. Michael Shannon is in it, because of course he is—it’s a Jeff Nichols movie.

So, if you’re tracking the new Margaret Qualley movie, you’ve basically got a choice of flavors:

  1. The Satirical Revenge: How to Make a Killing (March 2026)
  2. The Southern Gothic: King Snake (TBA 2026/2027)
  3. The Sci-Fi Drama: The Dog Stars (Also rumored for 2026)

Basically, she isn't slowing down.

Actionable Insights for Fans

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is how to actually track these releases without getting buried in AI-generated noise:

  • Watch the A24 Release Calendar: How to Make a Killing is their big spring swing for 2026. Keep an eye out for a full trailer drop in late January.
  • Check Specialty Streamers: Blue Moon is likely hitting Sony’s streaming partners or VOD soon if you missed the theatrical run in late 2025.
  • Skip the "Huntington" Search: Use the new title How to Make a Killing to find the most recent trailers and cast interviews. The old name is mostly dead in the water for marketing purposes.

Qualley is clearly moving into a "one for them, one for me" phase of her career—balancing massive Glen Powell blockbusters with weird, artsy horror. It’s a fun time to be watching.