Phil Roberts 
Nobody 2 is another demonstration of pure brilliance from Bob Odenkirk. It’s more of the same, but with a bigger budget and more bang for your buck.
After delivering the ultimate surprise package with Nobody in 2021, Bob Odenkirk returns this week for another round of brutal action. The original movie was a hit with fans and critics alike and went on to gross $57 million on a meager budget of just $16 million. So with Odenkirk ready to fight another day and Connie Nielsen, RZA, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, and Christopher Lloyd all returning to reprise their roles from the first film, it’s time to sit back for the rollercoaster ride that is Nobody 2. But can director Timo Tjahjanto capture the same lightning in a bottle that made Ilya Naishuller’s efforts on the first film so successful? Or should Hutch go back to his mundane life and settle for an ordinary life?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because Timo Tjahjanto’s Nobody 2 is another batshit crazy win for Bob Odenkirk. The film delivers more of the brutal action and relentless comedy we want, but adds more depth and layers to its characters. It’s fun, action-packed, and utterly ferocious. This is a rollercoaster ride at the cinema and the perfect Friday night popcorn flick.
Sadly, it’s not flawless; there are some bumps in the road, but these minor detractions take nothing away from the overall splendour of what is another brilliant outing for Bob Odenkirk’s mild-mannered assassin. With Connie Nielsen back to expand her role as Becca, Christopher Lloyd turning in another scene-stealing performance, and a noteworthy villain role for Sharon Stone, the film has all the hallmarks of another summer classic. After a romp in the park with dinosaurs and a treasure trove of superheroes, Nobody 2 is the perfect tonic for any blockbuster fatigue you may be feeling.
HUTCH IS BACK
Thankfully, for the most part, new director Timo Tjahjanto maintains the formula that made the first film so successful. The film opens with a battered and bruised Hutch sitting in a chair in front of two federal agents, about to explain the events leading to his being in custody. But before we can settle into our rhythm, the film thrusts us into a montage of recent events that reveal that Hutch has returned to his former life as an assassin to pay off some old debts from the first film. All the while, Becca (Connie Nielsen) is feeling the burden of being saddled with the role of a single parent while Hutch is off dispatching bad guys right and left.
The montage, as expected, is packed full of brutal battles, nasty kills, and even better comedy. This serves as the perfect opening salvo to remind us of what brought us to the dance. The formula produces magic, and once again, Bob Odenkirk slips into gear without skipping a beat. The action is relentless, and each battle ups the ante with its brutal kill count and hilarious outcomes.
VACATION
However, after his most recent mission takes its toll, Hutch returns home to find his familial life in danger of falling apart. Becca has become disillusioned with her life, especially with Hutch never being home, and his son is getting into hot water at school. So, in a desperate attempt to find some solace and bring his family back from the brink, Hutch hatches a plan to take his family to the one resort his father took him to when he was a youngster. He hopes to build memories and reforge the familial bonds that keep them together. Of course, they decide to bring Hutch’s father, David (Christopher Lloyd), along for the ride, and soon they find themselves on the road to the famous waterpark from Hutch’s childhood.
However, with the family settling into the picturesque surroundings, Hutch soon discovers that not everything in this small town desert island destination is as it seems. Moreover, maybe there was something more to his childhood trip with his father and his brother. Pretty soon, trouble finds its way to his doorway, and he finds himself in the sights of a local crime boss, Lendina, played by the always reliable Sharon Stone. But which side has bitten off more than it can chew? Can Hutch, with his former CIA operative father, handle Lendina? Or will she underestimate this mild-mannered family on vacation?
ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE
From here, all hell breaks loose, and the film descends into utter brilliant chaos. On one side, Hutch battles to enjoy a simple holiday with his family. But on the other hand, trouble always seems to find him, and his conscience won’t allow him to look the other way. So the Mansell family vacation becomes the platform for another series of over-the-top action set pieces, brutal fights, hilarious comedy, and family drama. All the while, Hutch wants to spend time with his family and get to the bottom of the discourse. But, as is always the case, blood is thicker than water, and his lifestyle is in the genes!
A BRILLIANT CAST
Once again, the simplistic formula works well because of the brilliant cast assembled by Timo Tjahjanto. Bob Odenkirk lives and breathes this character, and his work here cannot be understated. His craft here is exceptional, and he carries the film on his back with relative ease. From the opening moments, we are swept up in Hutch’s world and rally to his banner when his family life is threatened. But of course, aside from adding more character depth to his former assassin, we are here for the brutality at play, and believe me, Hutch has never been better.
Odenkirk takes to the action world like a duck to water, and despite the four-year gap between the films, he slips back into gear without skipping a beat. From his weighted and poignant moments of self-reflection to the balls-to-the-wall fights, Odenkirk delivers everything we could want from a sequel. It’s more of the same, but with a slightly bigger budget and an already established sandbox to play in, and the formula works.
CONNIE NIELSEN
Thankfully, that even extends to Connie Nielsen’s Becca for this sequel. Here, Nielsen is afforded the time she needs to add way more depth to Hutch’s wife than the previous film. The actor was great in the last movie, but in the sequel, she is phenomenal. Becca becomes the glue that holds the family together, serving as Hutch’s moral compass, and her influence has a wide-reaching impact on the narrative. Nielsen is enjoying this newfound freedom, and she elevates every scene she is in. Her exchanges with Odenkirk feel genuine, and we easily become invested in the strength of their marriage.
RZA, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, and Paisley Cadorath all return to the fold for this outing and are allowed more time to flesh out their characters. But make no mistake, it’s Christopher Lloyd that steals the show here. The Hollywood veteran never disappoints, and with a screenplay as sharp and punchy as this, he makes the most of his incredible talents. Lloyd steals every scene he is in, and when he’s off-screen, we are waiting with baited breath for his return. It’s the kind of performance that keeps us tenderhooks waiting for his next jaw-dropping monologue or tidbit of advice before he produces a weapon from his back pocket. This is masterful stuff from Lloyd, and it is a pleasure to see him enjoying himself this late in his career.
SHARON STONE
In a surprising twist, it’s Sharon Stone who gets the nod as the villain for this film, and it is great to see her back in the limelight. The Hollywood veteran has enjoyed a glittering career to date, and after her chilling display in Basic Instinct, it’s great to see her cast as the villain once again. As the criminal mastermind Lendina, Stone is allowed to flex her muscles and lean into a more lavish character than we’ve seen from her in some time. The character is bold, outrageous, outlandish, and utterly barbaric, and it makes the film all the more enjoyable.
From her debut midway through the film, Stone elevates the movie with her presence. She brings a level of quality to the role that oozes through the screen. From her utterly bizarre but equally intoxicating dance number to her callous and brutal slaying of her victims, Lendina is a nasty piece of work. But with her expert acting chops on full flow, Stone makes the role feel seamless. Instead of a token villain, Stone serves up a baddie we want to explore in more detail, and thankfully, we get just enough of her intoxicating performance to appease our appetite. This is a character we will remember. Lendina is intoxicating, outrageous, and such a departure from Stone’s usual roles, which makes this performance a winner.
DETRACTIONS
Now, with the praise out of the way, there are a few minor niggles that have been eating away at me, so let’s unpack them. The film brilliantly follows a formula to deliver more of the same, which is fine. But after a while, it would have been nice to explore something fresh to sink our teeth into. Don’t get me wrong, the film is brilliant for maintaining continuity and successfully building on the first film. But there was room for some fat to chew on, and I would have appreciated being given something to think about as the movie progressed. Even the film’s climax feels borrowed from previous action movies, but perhaps it’s a necessary evil.
Another niggle is the paint-by-numbers checklist being used. The film throws a few tired tropes into the mix, and although they don’t affect the overall finish of the film, it is a little off-putting to see these generic clichés being utilized. After all, how many times must we watch the estranged family angle and a father struggling to keep it together?
The same can be said for Hutch’s relationship with his son. He spends the film desperate to ensure Brady doesn’t turn out like him, only to find the resolution in his acceptance of his lineage. Like I said, these tired tropes are to be expected these days; they are part of the furniture, but it would have been nice to see a narrative that leans full bore into Hutch’s life as an assassin. That being said, it is these moments that allow for more depth of character, so it’s a necessary trade-off here.
VERDICT
Overall, Nobody 2 is another demonstration of pure brilliance from Bob Odenkirk. While the film may not bring anything new to the table, it delivers everything we could ask for from the formula. It’s more of the same, but with a bigger budget and more bang for your buck. The action is relentless, the kill count is off the charts, and the comedy is perfectly balanced. In short, it offers us a chance to reunite with Hutch and his family in the perfect Friday night popcorn flick.
After the hilarity of The Naked Gun, Nobody 2 arrives at the perfect time when the summer blockbuster season is winding down. But with Bob Odenkirk back on form, Connie Nielsen delivering a commanding performance, Christopher Lloyd stealing the scenes, and Sharon Stone dancing intoxicatingly across the screen, this sequel is the perfect last blast of the summer. So, book a ticket and settle in for an utterly brutal, violent, and hilarious sequel that gets it right.
Nobody 2 is released through Universal Pictures and arrives in cinemas from August 15th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
