Although sequels rarely surpass the original, Gavin O’Connor’s long-gestating The Accountant 2 is a pleasant surprise.
Nearly a decade after The Accountant (2016), Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is brought out of hiding after his former federal contact Raymond King (J. K. Simmons) is killed while on a case. King’s successor Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) enlists his expertise in putting together the puzzle, for which he reconnects with his long-lost hitman brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal).
While I admit I wouldn’t call myself the target audience, the original fell flat for me. I actually found myself questioning why a sequel was necessary, but fortunately, the followup stands perfectly on its own while delving further into the dynamics that felt halfheartedly introduced the first time around.
And although Anna Kendrick’s absence as accountant Dana Cummings from the original is an unfortunate omission — albeit understandable given her busy year that includes another SXSW sequel — that gives the other characters a chance to shine.
Affleck and Bernthal hit the perfect comedic chemistry as estranged brothers who still know how to push each other’s buttons, somewhat of a missed opportunity in the original, which barely had the pair sharing the screen until a wholly dramatic conclusion.
In addition to some familiar faces from the first film, Daniella Pineda plays another deadly assassin with another form of acquired savant syndrome, which Affleck’s Christian also has, explaining his knack for forensic accounting. While her character’s heartbreaking story never quite feels complete (maybe something for the trilogy), Pineda brings a chilling intensity to the role, as well as some butt-kicking moves to shake up the male-driven action of the franchise.
And while Christian and Brax’s parents are hardly referenced in this installment, letting the brothers focus on mending their own relationship, another familial crisis takes over as they seek to reunite an immigrant mother with her son after they were both trafficked. I’m not sure why there are so many absentee mothers in this franchise, but perhaps that’s something for O’Connor’s therapist to help him unpack.
Regardless, the familial dynamics in the movie manage to tug at the heartstrings. And while everyone’s arc might not wrap up the way audiences hope, they all find what they truly need, whether it’s a stray cat, the perfect office chair or some good old fashion vengeance.
Title: The Accountant 2
Festival: SXSW (Headliner)
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Release date: April 25
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Screenwriter: Bill Dubuque
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda, Allison Robertson, J.K. Simmons
Running time: 2 hr 4 min
