The Accountant 2 Movie Review: Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal bring the firepower, but the plot misses the mark

Story: Autistic accountant Christian Wolff is drawn back into action by a cryptic murder tied to a global trafficking ring. Joined by his brother Braxton, he faces deadly enemies and buried family scars.Review: ‘The Accountant’ 2 isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and frankly, it doesn’t even come close. It’s an action flick that keeps you mildly entertained but never quite grips you like the first film did. The plot is far more ridiculous this time around, with twists that seem to pile on just for the sake of it. The action and the dynamic between the brothers still work, but everything else feels like a missed opportunity. What made Christian Wolff compelling in the original—the quiet, layered portrayal of his autism—is barely present here. Instead, he’s painted more as a brilliant problem-solver, with the neurodivergent traits pushed to the background. Right from the opening scene, where he solves a dating algorithm mid-conversation, the film signals it’s going for something much lighter in tone.The plot this time begins with the murder of Raymond King (JK Simmons). A mysterious message found on his body during autopsy points straight to Wolff, pulling him back into the chaos. Agent Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), now promoted to deputy director, seeks him out, and soon, he’s neck-deep in a web of human trafficking and financial crime. He turns to his estranged brother Braxton for backup, and together they trace the clues to a woman named Anais (Daniella Pineda)—who’s linked to a criminal syndicate—and to an AI savant who was part of King’s old files. As the brothers dig deeper, they’re forced to reckon not just with criminals, but with old wounds that still haven’t healed.The biggest issue this time is the plot itself—it’s all over the place. At times you wonder if the film is about trafficking, about finance, or just about throwing in as much chaos as possible. It ends up being unnecessarily complex when a cleaner, more focused story would have done wonders. That said, the climax picks up pace. The shootout scenes, especially with the brothers in action, bring back some much-needed spark. There’s a rhythm to their partnership that clicks in those moments.Ben Affleck does what he needs to as Christian Wolff, but there’s not much new here. His performance lacks the quiet tension that defined the first film. It’s Jon Bernthal who truly lights up the screen. He brings this unpredictable, manic energy as Braxton—punching, wisecracking, saving the day—and you can’t help but root for him. His presence lifts the film, and his chemistry with Affleck gives it both heart and humour. JK Simmons gets written off early, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson, despite being around throughout, doesn’t get the weight her character deserves.‘The Accountant’ 2 had the chance to be a sharper, more grounded sequel, but it goes big and ends up losing some of the charm that made the original stand out. There are way too many villains, no clear central antagonist, and the whole ‘accountant’ identity feels like an afterthought. If you’re here just for an action flick with some solid brotherly banter, it works. But if you’re hoping it captures the smarts and soul of the first film—you’ll likely walk away disappointed.