REVIEW: ‘The Accountant 2’ Isn’t As Sharp, But Still Worth The Investment
- Kevin Verma
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
The action-thriller genre is no stranger to hidden gems, and The Accountant (2016) is a prime example of a film that found its audience well after its theatrical release. Directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck as the enigmatic, number-crunching accountant Christian Wolff, the film was among the top-rented movies of 2017. 9 years later, the franchise returns with a fresh tone, a deeper dive into brotherhood. Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, JK Simmons and Jon Bernthal reprise their roles from the first installment, while Daniella Pineda and Robert Morgan are among the new additions.
The Accountant 2 takes a sharp left turn from its predecessor’s moody, methodical thriller roots and decides to embrace something looser, louder, and — surprisingly — funnier. And while it’s not quite as tight or twisty as the first, there's still a lot here to enjoy if you're willing to go along for the ride. Gavin O'Connor and Bill Dubuque return to direct and pen the sequel, respectively, and while their approach is still pretty grounded, the genre shift is hard to miss. This time around, the film leans more into buddy-action-comedy territory, and for the most part, it works.
The thriller edges have been sanded down, and while part of me missed that cold precision and tension that made the first film stand out, the newfound humor brings a refreshing energy to the sequel. The chemistry and banter between the 2 brothers is easily the best asset of the movie. They share crackles with a mix of affection and deadpan absurdity that walks the fine line between genuine character work and pure entertainment. Watching Christian and Brax bounce off each other is consistently engaging, even when the story around them isn’t quite sure where it’s headed.
Which brings me to one of my biggest gripes with the film: the story. Unlike the tightly-wound narrative of the first film, The Accountant 2 often feels like it’s meandering. The plot lacks cohesion, and there’s a noticeable absence of the layered twists and reveals that made the original so compelling. It’s not that what we get is bad — far from it — but it doesn’t hit the same highs, and at times, it almost feels like the script is content to just hang out with the brothers rather than build a compelling mystery around them.
The film also often gets bogged down in conversations that don’t always feel essential, slowing down the pace and undercutting the momentum. Some scenes feel too dialogue-heavy, which often makes the narrative difficult to follow. Another problem is that for a film that is marketed as an action film, there’s a curious lack of actual action. The sequences we do get are solid, clean, intense, and well-executed — but they’re spaced too far apart and never quite hit that visceral sweet spot. It left me wishing for a little more grit, a little more edge, especially when they already had the R-rating.
Affleck and Bernthal, though, are magnetic, which doesn't come as a surprise at all. Their performances elevate even the flattest scenes, and they make you care, even when the plot doesn’t quite pull its weight. The shift into lighter territory is refreshing, but it occasionally feels like the makers made a mistake abandoning what made the original unique. Still, even with the tonal departure, The Accountant 2 is very entertaining.
Overall, The Accountant 2 may not match the precision of the first film, but it’s still a fun ride, buoyed by two excellent performances and a newfound sense of humor. If you’re here for intense brotherly banter, some solid laughs, and a few well-executed action scenes, you’ll leave satisfied. Just don’t expect the same cerebral punch as the original. It's not perfect, but it is still worth checking out — and if they keep making more of these with Affleck and Bernthal, I’ll be among the first in line.
Rating: ★★★½
About The Accountant 2
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Writer: Bill Dubuque
Production: Amazon MGM Studios and Artists Equity
Distribution: Warner Bros.
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, JK Simmons, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan.
Synopsis: Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
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