Forensic accountant Christian Wolff teams up with his estranged but highly lethal brother to track down mysterious assassins.
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, J. K. Simmons, Daniella Pineda
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Rated R for strong violence, and language throughout.
Runtime: 1h 43m
Review:
The Accountant 2 loosens up the reins on the original's formula which gives this entry a bit more room to breathe and take full advantage of Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal onscreen chemistry. The central mystery here is more outlandish and unbelievable than the original film but Gavin O'Connor guides the film with a steady hand by keeping things moving at a steady pace, avoiding some of the original film's dead spots. The story is far more convoluted than necessary especially once the main reveal occurs which requires more than a few logical leaps. It’s a testament to cast and crew that the film doesn't fall apart once this happens as they manage to deliver a thrilling finale that makes it easier to overlook some of the story's more glaring issues. Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal deserve a lion's share of the credit for carrying the film as their onscreen back and forth give the film a hefty bit of humor and heart. Affleck slips back into the role of Christian Wolff with general ease by giving the character a bit more subtle depth especially when it comes to his relationship with his younger brother played by Jon Bernthal. Bernthal is given much more time to shine in this entry which works in the film's favor as his chaotic onscreen charisma works as an excellent counter point to Wolff's persona. There's an authenticity to their interchanges with each bouncing off each other like long lost brothers who have long simmering issues bubbling underneath paired with a believable sense of brotherly love. Their performances make the film work far better than it should as they carry the film from start to finish. The supporting cast is sparse with Cynthia Addai-Robinson and J. K. Simmons returning from the first film but are ultimately given very little to do outside of moving the plot forward as needed. Daniella Pineda's mysterious assassin should be far more engaging than she ultimately is with the script, giving her very little to work with to flesh out the character. Ultimately, they're minor issues since The Accountant 2 proves to be a more complete package than the original.
B+
