Netflix’s latest sensation, “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater, has taken the streaming world by storm since its premiere in early June. The film, which stars Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, has garnered rave reviews and a massive viewership, making it one of the standout movies of the summer. While Powell’s performance has been widely celebrated, Arjona’s portrayal of Madison Masters has also captured significant attention, particularly for her on-screen chemistry with Powell.
This chemistry, however, was not merely a stroke of luck. In a recent interview with Variety, Arjona revealed an innovative approach she took to prepare for the film’s intimate scenes. She suggested creating a shared Pinterest board with Powell to plan their sex scenes. This unique method allowed them to explore and align their perspectives on sensuality, leading to more authentic and meaningful performances.
“Everyone finds different things sensual,” Arjona explained. “It was interesting to see both of our perspectives, hone in and start molding it from that sense. It sparked conversations that you wouldn’t normally have, because we were in the process of creating it.”
Powell echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of these scenes in the film’s narrative. “So often, sex scenes feel almost divorced from the movie, like a marketing play or it feels icky,” he noted. “In this movie, those scenes are crucial in the changing and seizing of identity. You have to see a guy who sees the world in such a binary, stale place checking logic at the door and becoming a whole new person. This romantic relationship is really expediting it. It’s the catalyst for everything.”
Arjona’s preparation clearly paid off, as her performance in “Hit Man” has been widely praised. At 32, she is poised to become one of Hollywood’s leading actresses if she continues to make smart career choices. Her role in “Hit Man” has undoubtedly solidified her status as a rising star.
“Hit Man” marks the fourth collaboration between Linklater and Powell, following their previous works “Fast Food Nation” (2006), “Everybody Wants Some!!” (2016), and “Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood” (2022). The film also features performances by Austin Amelio, Sanjay Rao, Molly Bernard, Retta, and Evan Holtzman, and is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
In addition to the creative process behind the scenes, Arjona shared some humorous and challenging moments from the set. During one particular scene, both she and Powell experienced rashes after soaking in a bathtub filled with Dawn dishwashing soap, which had been added by a crew member. Despite the discomfort, they managed to film all their sex scenes on the same day, often laughing about the amount of makeup required to cover their rashes.
“It was beautiful and intentional,” Arjona said of the scenes. “It didn’t feel like we were just doing sex scenes just to do sex scenes; it came from a creative place.”
Arjona’s innovative use of Pinterest to prepare for her role in “Hit Man” highlights her dedication to her craft and her willingness to explore unconventional methods to enhance her performance. This approach not only contributed to the film’s success but also showcased her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters.
As “Hit Man” continues to captivate audiences, Arjona’s star is undoubtedly on the rise. Her performance, combined with the film’s compelling narrative and strong direction, has made “Hit Man” a must-watch movie of the summer. With her talent and creativity, Arjona is set to become a prominent figure in Hollywood, and her future projects are eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike.
