Netflix's Hit Named as One of the Year's Best

Netflix's latest release, "Hit Man," has taken the streaming world by storm, garnering an almost perfect score from critics and a deluge of praise from viewers. The film is directed by Richard Linklater, known for his work on School of Rock, and stars Glen Powell in the lead role. 

Powell plays Gary Johnson, a philosophy professor who moonlights as an undercover assassin-for-hire for police sting operations. His life becomes complicated when he gets involved in a romantic relationship with a prospective client portrayed by Adria Arjona. Amidst dealing with a corrupt cop and her violent ex-boyfriend, Gary also finds himself tangled in his own web of deceptions. 

"Hit Man" has achieved an impressive 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This places it among the highest-rated original Netflix movies to date - not just this year but ever since the platform started producing original content. 

The AV Club described "Hit Man" as "a slick sexy comedy-noir that will actually get at-home viewers to engage with media outside of the dreaded algorithm." ABC News hailed it as a "scorchingly sexy thriller," calling it one of this year's most captivating films. 

Furthermore, audience ratings align closely with those of critics; currently standing strong at over 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer labeled it as an “absolute delight” while another praised its “best on-screen chemistry from two leads in years.” 

Intriguingly enough, despite many films loosely claiming to be based on true events – Hit Man’s plotline is significantly rooted in reality. Its narrative draws inspiration from Skip Hollandsworth’s 2001 article titled 'Hit Man' published in Texas Monthly magazine. 

According to Hollandsworth's piece, Powell's character – Johnson was dubbed Houston’s “most sought-after professional killer.” However contrary to public perception – he worked undercover for law enforcement agencies instead! 

Johnson served as an investigator for the Harris County District Office in Houston, and moonlighted as a hit man for various police departments. The legal system could not arrest someone merely on suspicion of seeking a hit man’s services. Consequently, Johnson would coax his clients into verbalizing their desire to hire him for murder – creating grounds for their arrest. 

Johnson was known to adopt different disguises with each new client, enhancing the credibility of his cover story. During his tenure, he claimed to have investigated around 300 cases involving contract killings. 

Arjona's character also has real-life roots - she is modeled after a woman whom Johnson assisted. Upon receiving information about her abusive boyfriend seeking a killer-for-hire service against him, Johnson directed her towards social support agencies and therapists who helped her escape from the toxic relationship and find refuge in a women's shelter. 

In conclusion - Netflix’s 'Hit Man' offers viewers both entertainment value and insight into an intriguing true-life narrative that many may be unaware of. This combination likely contributes significantly to its immense popularity among critics and audiences alike.