Nobody 2

I think it’s safe to say we’re in the “one person takes on the world” era of movies right now. It feels like every other month, a new film comes out where a man or woman must fight their way out of an impossible predicament — all for our entertainment.

In 2021, Bob Odenkirk surprised everyone when, as an unassuming “nobody,” he made quick work of a slew of henchmen and launched a franchise I could fully get behind. Lucky for me — and all the fans of the first Nobody — Odenkirk is back as Hutch. This time, all he wants is a break. But when you’re Hutch, that’s never quite possible.

After the events of the last film, Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) has been burning through a lot of money — none of which is his. Because of that, he owes a debt, which he’s paying off by taking on dirty jobs that frequently leave his hands bloody. This doesn’t sit well with his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), who’s tired of him being absent and might be reaching her breaking point.

Sensing the tension, Hutch finally decides it’s time for a family vacation to a place that holds fond childhood memories. Everything starts off great — until a misunderstanding involving Hutch’s son catches the attention of the local sheriff (Colin Hanks), who decides to “teach Hutch a lesson.” That, of course, doesn’t go well for the sheriff. Soon, the real big bad, a crime boss named Ledina (Sharon Stone), is furious with Hutch for causing her major problems. This sparks a full-scale showdown, with explosive consequences for everyone involved — and a wild ride for the audience.

Written by Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin, Nobody 2 is packed with both action and humor. If you loved the first Nobody, you’ll have no trouble enjoying this one. The big change this time is behind the camera — director Timo Tjahjanto, who helmed one of the best action movies of the last twenty years in The Night Comes for Us (also seek out the best V/H/S segment of his Safe Haven). Here, he cranks the volume to eleven, delivering even more brutal and creative set pieces. Yes, there are a few sequel clichés, but they’re easy to overlook thanks to the film’s consistent humor and wild, over-the-top action. It’s the kind of movie action fans will eat up.

Nobody 2 has a National Lampoon vibe blended with a one-man-army energy. The returning cast, led by Odenkirk — who should be considered a national treasure — makes watching people meet creatively painful ends highly entertaining. Odenkirk looks like he’s having a blast, as do Christopher Lloyd and RZA, but the real scene-stealer is Stone, who revels in playing an unhinged mastermind.

I had a great time with this one. I never expected a movie about two assassins who happen to be dads to be so much fun. This is a perfect sequel in the sense that it doesn’t mess with a winning formula — and it cements this “nobody” as a somebody you can always count on for both action and laughs.