The Wasteland Reviewer

The Accountant 2 (2025) Written Review

Is this seriously real? After nine years, did Gavin O’Connor get a chance to make a follow-up to his cult classic action-thriller, The Accountant? The first film made some decent money but not enough to confirm another film. The film found legs on streaming and physical media with its interesting premise and action to enjoy. But after so many years, you wouldn’t be questioned to believe that a sequel never happens. But almost a decade later, one materialized and we finally got to see more of the exploits of Christian Wolff. 

After all this time, does the story make it worthwhile? After almost a decade, there is plenty of time for a story to materialize and there is plenty of it. Like the first film, there is a lot stuffed into this film. Some threads are certainly more engaging than others. The best elements of the film are those involving the brotherly dynamic of Christian and Braxton (Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal respectively). There is a central mystery that brings these brothers back together but the moments that focus on their dynamic are the more engrossing and engaging. The exploration of their rocky relationship and Braxton processing Christian’s autism makes for the emotional core of the film. There is a great scene at a cowboy bar that is a highlight. Even each of them on their own deliver with a hilarious speed dating scene early on involving Christian. 

But does the rest of the narrative deliver? There is a compelling mystery that is launched in the opening scene when returning J.K. Simmons’ Ray King meets with a mysterious killer and he winds up dead. This death brings Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth Medina back into the fold to solve King’s murder leading to Christian and then Braxton getting involved. The film dabbles in morality as Medina is by-the-book and Chrisian and Braxton both operate outside the rules of law. This idea is not explored with depth, but it does add some color to the film. This really comes to a head with Christian’s team of talented autistic people (mostly teens) who use any means necessary to find the evidence they need. Allison Robertson stars as Justine who leads this team and communicates through her computer. This bit of world-building is not essential but adds even more color to the world of The Accountant. The actual mystery is convoluted and involves human trafficking and some outlandish elements including the origin of this mysterious killer played by Danielle Pineda. Everything threads together in the end…but not necessarily in the most efficient and smooth way. 

Does O’Connor shine behind the camera with his second outing with Wolff and company? There is not as much action in this film as you might expect. There are intermittent bursts of violence during the middle of the film, but the action is just delivered at the beginning and end. The opening sequence is thrilling and acts as an effective cold open for the film. But it is the finale where we can see Christian and Braxton team up to take on some bad guys is extremely satisfying. The action is well choreographed and shot mostly in camera (with only a few overly edited moments). Where the film has some issues though is the tone. Like the first film, this sequel struggles with balancing the humor and the seriousness of the subject matter. Human trafficking is not necessarily the type of subject matter you make a fun thriller out of…but O’Connor did it. That certainly leads to some tonal whiplash at times. When the film is funny, it really works, and you have some genuine fun moments. Some elements of the film are so outlandish that they cannot be taken too seriously. 

Does the cast deliver the goods as well? Affleck is obviously not autistic but he characterization of Christian is done respectfully and continues much of the elements he channeled in the first film. He finds humor and emotion in Christian as well. His chemistry with Bernthal is great and their conflicts throughout the film are the highlights. Bernthal delivers a performance that is just raw nerves and emotion (let’s not forget that both characters have been through extreme trauma and couldn’t probably use some therapy). Bernthal is honestly quite funny at times and their brotherly banter feels so authentic. Addai-Robinson must be the straight character to this whole situation, and she does a fine job. Simmons makes a good impact on his limited screen time this time around. Pineda is intense and physical in a role that is mostly silent within limited screen time. Robertson is the physical character of Justine, and she is endearing in her intermittent appearance in the film. A strong cast can really tie a cinematic experience together and that is true for The Accountant 2. 

Was the wait worth it? After almost 10 years, The Accountant 2 arrives with an even better cinematic experience than the first film. The Christian/Braxton elements of this film are gold. Society needs more films of these two teaming up. Keep them together and give us more. The story is certainly scattered and convoluted, but this is a fun ride with humor and action and bits of solid depth and thematic exploration. This is a special film about brothers with plenty of extra trappings.