The Accountant 2 falters initially but pulls through thanks to its surrounding cast, particularly Jon Bernthal.
The Accountant 2 has a shaky plot, some decent action, and one actor doing the heavy lifting to make the movie entertaining. So, while it’s not a phenomenal film, there are plenty of comedic moments. Still, it’s tiresome seeing films choosing to bypass potential cast who have a disability for a star pretending to have one. As such, the film is a mix of entertainment and cringe but delivers more on the former than the latter. Thanks to some of the cast and the action, The Accountant 2 packs an engaging wallop.
Written by Bill Dubuque (The Accountant, A Family Man), and directed by Gavin O’Connor (Jane Got a Gun, Warrior), the movie follows Christian Wolff, played by Ben Affleck (Air, Gone Girl), an autistic man. Continuing from the first film, The Accountant 2 leans more into action and humor as Christian uses his unique problem-solving capabilities to assist a government agent, Marybeth Medina, played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Columbiana, Closure). As they work together, Christian also recruits the help of his brother, Braxton, played by Jon Bernthal (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Punisher). While there are more comedic moments, many falter, missing the mark because the lead is not the star of this film.
The Accountant 2 Comedy Misfires and Flat Lead
Ben Affleck might not be entirely dull; however, too often his wit and comedic timing do not work. For comedy, the timing and rhythm must flow so audiences can take the witty repartee in. Unfortunately, in The Accountant 2, too often, there is no time to process, let alone laugh. Plus, whether the jokes and verbal back and forth inspire laughter is a coin toss.
At its center is Affleck’s frustrating performance. But casting Affleck to play someone with autism when he does not have autism is tiresome in 2025. It’s challenging enough when people with marginalized identities try to break into the industry and get pigeonholed because of said identity. It’s worse witnessing the few opportunities dry up to the perceived default.
Other Cast Members Save a Lot of The Movie
There’s a reason Jon Bernthal pops up in so many films and shows. He is redemption gold. Even if a film underperforms, it turns the movie around when Bernthal arrives on screen. It’s the same with The Accountant 2. Bernthal breathes life into the characters he plays to a point where even if they lack depth, you’d never notice it.
When his character arrives to aid Christian, their chemistry rejuvenates the fledgling film. Combine that with the fast-paced action, especially heading toward the climax, making the movie worthwhile. Cynthia Addai-Robinson also helps maintain engagement, although her and Affleck’s encounters feel more slapstick than anything.
The Accountant 2 falters initially but pulls through thanks to its surrounding cast, particularly Jon Bernthal. It’s got action and attempts to build emotional weight. It fails miserably with the latter because the plot feels bloated yet thin. So it does not reel audiences in emotionally. Still, the action and comedic moments keep it light, chaotic, and fun, especially after Braxton’s arrival. Thanks to that, The Accountant 2 creates an action-filled, somewhat funny flick, even if you want to know more about side characters than Christian Wolff.
