Though sequels hardly ever surpass the unique, Gavin O’Connor’s long-gestating The Accountant 2 is a pleasing shock.
Practically a decade after The Accountant (2016), Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is introduced out of hiding after his former federal contact Raymond King (J.Okay. Simmons) is killed whereas on a case. King’s successor Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) enlists his experience in placing collectively the puzzle, for which Christian reconnects along with his long-lost hitman brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal).
Whereas I admit I wouldn’t name myself the target market, the unique fell flat for me. I really discovered myself questioning why a sequel was obligatory, however happily, the follow-up stands completely by itself whereas delving additional into the dynamics that felt halfheartedly launched the primary time round.
And though Anna Kendrick’s absence as accountant Dana Cummings from the unique is an unlucky omission — albeit comprehensible given her busy yr that features one other SXSW sequel — that provides the opposite characters an opportunity to shine.
Affleck and Bernthal hit the proper comedic chemistry as estranged brothers who nonetheless know find out how to push one another’s buttons, considerably of a missed alternative within the unique, which barely had the pair sharing the display till a completely dramatic conclusion.
Along with some acquainted faces from the primary movie, Daniella Pineda performs one other lethal murderer with one other type of acquired savant syndrome, which Affleck’s Christian additionally has, explaining his knack for forensic accounting. Whereas her character’s heartbreaking story by no means fairly feels full (possibly one thing for the trilogy), Pineda brings a chilling depth to the function, in addition to some butt-kicking strikes to shake up the male-driven motion of the franchise.
And whereas Christian and Brax’s dad and mom are hardly referenced on this installment, letting the brothers concentrate on mending their very own relationship, one other familial disaster takes over as they search to reunite an immigrant mom together with her son after they had been each trafficked. I’m undecided why there are such a lot of absentee moms on this franchise, however maybe that’s one thing for O’Connor’s therapist to assist him unpack.
Regardless, the familial dynamics within the film handle to tug on the heartstrings. And whereas everybody’s arc won’t wrap up the way in which audiences hope, all of them discover what they really want, whether or not it’s a stray cat, the proper workplace chair or some good previous vogue vengeance.
Title: The Accountant 2Festival: SXSW (Headliner)Distributor: Amazon MGM StudiosRelease date: April 25, 2025Director: Gavin O’ConnorScreenwriter: Invoice DubuqueCast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda, Allison Robertson, J.Okay. SimmonsRunning time: 2 hr 4 minutes
