Our Review

                       Movie: THE ACCOUNTANT 2

  Rating:  R, strong violence, and language throughout`

                                     Length: 2:05

                     Release Date: April 24, 2025  

Jeanne: Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are back in THE ACCOUNTANT 2, reprising their roles as Christian Wolff and his brother, Brax. Also present from the 2016 hit, THE ACCOUNTANT, are Cynthia Addai-Robinson as U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina and J.K. Simmons as her former boss, Ray King.

King is now a private investigator and he’s been hired to find a missing woman named Edith Sanchez. Sanchez, along with her husband and son, disappeared eight years prior after fleeing El Salvador and crossing the border into the U.S. King had arranged a clandestine meeting with a contract killer named Anaĩs (Daniella Pineda). When things go sideways, King leaves a message, FIND THE ACCOUNTANT, written on his arm.

This brings Christian (Chris) together with Marybeth to solve King’s murder, which subsequently puts them on the trail of Edith Sanchez and her family. But things quickly become more diabolical, and instead of calling the FBI as Marybeth suggests, Chris calls his brother Brax. And while Marybeth is dedicated to following the rule of law, Chris and Brax have their own methods of getting what they want.

Chris, a neurodivergent --- nonmedical term for someone whose brain works differently --- has a childhood friend, Justine (Allison Robertson), also a neurodivergent, who acts as his “handler”. She also oversees the Harbor Academy, an institute which provides a safe place for children on the spectrum. Together they utilize their impressive computer skills, etc., to aid Chris and Brax

in their search for the missing family. 

Back for the sequel are Gavin O’Connor as director and Bill Dubuque, screenwriter. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 is highly engrossing with more than a few moments of hilarity. Affleck and Bernthal have delightful chemistry despite the fact that these two brothers are estranged, and it's been eight years since they’ve seen one another. They play off each other extremely well, which adds a great deal to the enjoyment of the material.

Affleck is particularly adept at paying a neurodivergent, especially in his first scene in the movie when he’s participating in a speed dating event. Because he’s obviously so good looking, most of the women are lined up to have their turn with Chris. But once they’ve sat down and tried communicating with him --- it’s a whole different story. And Affleck is hilariously unaffected by it all.

In an effort to be as authentic as possible, the Harbor Academy actors were cast from local Los Angeles programs for neurodivergent students. Presley Alexander stars as Lane, Nick Sanchez as Charles, Corwin Ireland as Miles, Avery Taylor as Skye, Vincent Juskalian as Aidan and Yael Ocasio as Alberto Sanchez at age thirteen. It’s a meaningful endeavor which enhances O’Connor’s film.

Oh, and by the way, hooray for David! He managed to stay awake --- a rare thing for him during an action movie. That says a lot!

Opinion: See It Now!

David: THE ACCOUNTANT 2 is the sequel to the first film from 2016 which was also directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque. This second in the series stars many of the same cast members, particularly Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal as brothers Christian and Braxton Wolff.

The theme of neurodivergency plays a pivotal role in the movie. It means essentially that some people function differently than others, not unlike people who are autistic. Here it is meant for characters like Affleck’s Chris Wolff to be able to decipher a situation quickly and act accordingly, often without displays of emotion. And to that extent, Affleck offers a convincing performance that is humorously expressionless.

Bernthal, meanwhile, plays a killer for hire and his character Brax also provides most of the humor. Brax and Chris hook up after being estranged for eight years, but the two actors play off one another flawlessly.

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 is extremely violent while also maintaining great entertainment value. Young actors from the fictional Harbor Academy are critical background cast members who put on an awesome display of computer wizardry as they work feverishly at their keyboards providing information and general help for Chris and Brax in their pursuit of the killers of a dear friend.

This complex sequel also stars J.K. Simmons, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Daniella Pineda. Addai-Robinson and Pineda stage a realistic and compelling life-and-death battle.

And one elongated scene that gives us a break from the violence has Chris at a country & western bar watching patrons do an elaborate line dance. After a few minutes studying the dance steps, he joins the crowd and performs perfectly to the delight of a gorgeous female patron (played in a cameo by Dominique Domingo) --- and to our delight, as well. It’s just about worth the price of admission on its own.

The music by composer Bryce Dessner perfectly suits the storyline, and Affleck’s best friend Matt Damon is one of many executive producers. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 is a highly-charged good time.

Opinion: See It Now!