MOVIE REVIEW: THE ACCOUNTANT 2

 

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+

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Accountant

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see my Bat!Boyfriend's new flick, The Accountant. 

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. A CPA with a dangerous clientele handles more than just the books. 

 

The Accountant is a mystery/thriller with a protagonist who may be difficult to warm up to. It's unhurried and often uncomfortable due to the aforementioned protagonist's failure to respond/react to certain situations in the "normal" way. Sound familiar? 

 

If you saw The Girl on the Train last weekend, I'm sure it does. However, unlike The Girl on the Train, The Accountant boasts well-plotted action, solid performances, a couple nice twists, and is funny only when it means to be. 

 

The titular savant, Christian Wolff, is unable to deal normally with people, but his mathematical genius is invaluable to his unsavory clients. Ben Affleck perfectly portrays the mannerisms typical of autism spectrum disorders, creating a character who is sympathetic even when he's doing some pretty bad things. 

 

Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, and John Lithgow are terrific in supporting roles, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson is a pleasant surprise as the FBI agent hot on the tail of our mysterious money manager. (I've always thought she was one of the worst actors working, but maybe when you're on Spartacus there's just nothing for it!) 

 

The Accountant is brutal at times, certainly not for the faint of heart. There's a short spell right about the hour mark where the movie starts to drag a little, but it picks right back up and is otherwise deliberately-paced but never dull. 

 

Wolff's inappropriate and seemingly rude interactions with people and situations outside his comfort zone spell the dark tone with amusing moments that are never a mean spirited laugh "at" autism or its manifestations. 

 

The movie could have explained itself better in a few spots, and the runtime might have benefitted from a trim, but The Accountant is a suspenseful yarn that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. 

 

The Accountant clocks in at 128 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language throughout." 

 

The Accountant is a solid thriller featuring satisfying twists and a standout performance by Ben Affleck. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Accountant gets eight. 

 

Until next time...