‘Nobody 2’ Review: The Bloodier, Epic Family Sequel

After the relative success of the sleight of hand, spiritual adjacent to the John Wick franchise that came with the first Nobody film back in 2021. A story of revenge and brutality as a loving husband and dad (played by none other than the ever so great Bob Odenkirk – role that saved his life once upon a time), essentially a nobody, realigns his reality to a life of violence as an assassin. So it only seems logical that we would be back for a sequel that could expand on those very ideas. Read our Nobody 2 review.

Nobody 2 is a fresh follow up that lays rest to those accusations thrown in recent years of the original being a tad too derivative to the John Wick franchise despite celebrating in its roots and lodging itself within the forest of revenge action thrillers that have dominated the past decade. Director Timo Tjahjanto decides to explore the base premise of Hutch Mansell’s character, a caring husband and dad and uses those traits to brand the sequel as a family outing that continues the incisive action and bloodshed but also broadens the landscape so that the rest of his family shares the spoils too.

Starting off with being handcuffed alongside a wolf dog hybrid as Hutch is interrogated to questioning, hinting at a circular structure where the audience will have no choice but to wonder what could have led him to him being caught and interrogated after being so successful at discharging his opponents but also evading attention and capture as far as the first film is concerned. We see that Hutch is having to run down a list of “errands” in the form of targeted assassinations to win large sums of money and pay off his debt to his contractor who is nothing but fed up with Mansell. Therein lies his frustrations, disillusioned with the assassination business and wanting a much needed break from both the killing and the exhaustion.

Going from an arguably negligent dad to wanting to spend time with the family and offering the incentive of going on a vacation to make due on his eager promises to give back to his very family. The destination is where the fun begins as Hutch decides to go for a throwback of the century and relive his happy childhood memories by visiting the town resort where his dad took him, hoping to share and renew these memories with his own two kids. The only catch is that the town is not quite the same as it used to be; a notorious crime boss looms large and runs her operation right in the centre of it, with full control of the police force and the sheriff present.

From what was meant to be a peaceful vacation to a random scuffle between Hutch’s son and a bunch of bullies, it is clear that Timo is emphasising the inherent difficulty that one faces when trying to escape a life of violence and bloodshed. Even when you’re out of the game for good, you’re still in. With his son only encouraged to get closer to his slightly absent dad by inheriting his traits if aggression, we see how “bad blood” and the tendency for violence can be passed down across generations and continue the cycle of such emotional irresponsibility.

Bob Odenkirk has always been one to entertain the audience, most notably in the legal drama Better Call Saul, the Nobody franchise continues that trend and shows his physical range while Connie Nielsen comfortably steps into the role as the devoted wife and mother who takes shit from no one, while leaving her footprint on the film effortlessly. She keeps Hutch in check and shows she’s one to be counted on. Sharon Stone doesn’t offer such graces and goes for a conniving, sadistic leading figure as the crime boss who equally takes shit from no one. It’s a nice change of pace and feels more welcoming to different shades of women in action roles.

Filled with creative gags, tons of dad humour and unadulterated levels of violence and charm. There’s a bit of everything to give this simple action movie the heart it needed and the fun to grab a crowd for that popcorn movie experience during the summer. Nobody 2 opts for a unified effort that embraces the importance of family and finding support from those you hold most dear to you, acknowledging it’s never easy to escape the hand you have been dealt, but you can certainly work towards it.

Nobody 2 is directed by Timo Tjahjanto and stars Bob Odenkirk, Sharon Stone, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Christopher Lloyd, Colin Hanks, and RZA.

Thanks for reading this Nobody 2 review. For more reviews, stay tuned for our Venice Film Festival coverage.