The two most beaten-to-death tropes in thrillers? “Serial Killers” and “Hit Men.”

Here’s a Richard Linklater “true story” movie about a college prof (Powell of “Anyone But You,” “Top Gun: Maverick”) whom the police use as a play-acting fake “hit-man” for would-be criminals trying to hire somebody as their murderer-for-hire.

This could be really clever, playing with the MOVIE stereotype of what a hit-man is like — urbane or Eastern European and soulless, world traveler or low-rent sociopath.

The most “accurate” hit man movie is probably “The Iceman,” a true story that depicted a dull, cruel and soulless mob murderer and “family man” played by Michael Shannon.

But the dunces hiring “a hit man” only know the hit-men in the movies — the Pierce Brosnan, Liam, Jean Reno “cleaners” and killers. That’s where “Hit Man” sets up shop.

June 7, the suddenly hot Powell makes his mark on Netflix.