Nobody 2

Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, RZA, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, Jacob Blair, Daniel Bernhardt, Lucius Hoyos
Running Time: 89 min.
Rating: R

★★★ (out of ★★★★)  

When the surprise hit Nobody was released in 2021, much of its buzz surrounded the casting of Bob Odenkirk as an action hero, especially after already revealing the extent of his dramatic abilities on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. And none of it was lost on producers who recognized audiences would be receptive to seeing his take on a seemingly dull family man dragged back into his former life as an assassin. 

The results were entertaining enough to warrant Nobody 2, a sequel that manages to be just as fun as its predecessor, if not a little more so. Despite a change in director, it follows the original's similarly successful blueprint, only with the volume cranked and stakes raised. And for a franchise like this, that's the route to take, incorporating noticeable improvements such as a tighter plot, better use of its supporting cast, a memorable villain and even more elaborately staged action sequences. 

With assassin Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk) now off on dangerous assignments to pay his debt to former government boss, "The Barber"(Colin Salmon), wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), teen son Brady (Gage Munroe) and young daughter Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) hardly see him anymore, causing a rift in their relationship. Burnt out from these missions and looking to make things right, Hutch plans a family trip to Plummerville, an amusement park he went to as a child with his father David (Christopher Lloyd) and brother Harry (RZA). 

Upon the family's arrival, Brady gets into a fight with local teen bully Max (Lucius Hoyos) in an arcade, causing Hutch to snap and attract the unwanted attention of Max's park operator dad Wyatt (John Ortiz) and Abel (Colin Hanks), the town's corrupt sheriff.  But after Hutch discovers they're both running a bootlegging route through Plummerville controlled by ruthless drug kingpin Lendina (Sharon Stone), he attempts to extricate himself. Unfortunately, Hutch soon realizes she'll stop at nothing to protect her business, even if that includes killing him and his family.

There's this pivotal moment early in the film that lets us know Hutch turning around and walking away just isn't an option anymore, despite his best attempts. For a jarring few seconds, any parents watching will likely to ask themselves how they'd react in a similar situation, with their answers likely baring a close resemblance to what he does. And once that line is crossed, any intention he had of remaining on his best behavior is justifiably thrown out the window when he physically takes care of business as only an assassin could. At first, the problem only appears to be with Wyatt, Abel and their gang of oafish thugs, but there are levels to this that lead to the top of the criminal food chain.

Unfortunately for Hutch, the Plummerville he so fondly remembers from childhood vacations most definitely isn't the one that exists today. In fact, he gradually discovers that version may not have existed to begin with, coloring his perception of what he hopes this trip will accomplish. And with Becca frustrated by his frequent absence and Brady not talking to him, only daughter Sammy seems enthusiastically receptive to the idea of a family bonding trip.  

In spite of everything, Hutch keeps pushing, still determined to "make memories" as he fights to stay alive. And it's the comedic juxtaposition of those elements that gives this installment a fresher spin, along with the inspired setting and a larger cast of supporting players like Hanks and Ortiz in effectively villainous turns.  

Hutch's family are front and center in a way they previously weren't, with the possible exception of the legendary Lloyd, who's given more scenes, just not a whole lot to do. It's actually Sharon Stone's wildly unhinged, over-the-top performance as the sadistic Lendina that leaves the largest impression, especially in her highly anticipated confrontation with Hutch. And this comes at the end of an action-packed third act that plays like a violent, R-rated bizarro version of Home Alone, but in a booby trapped amusement park.  

If the idea of finally getting a break to connect with his family looked good on paper, we're reminded in the opening minutes how Hutch's job doesn't afford him that luxury. Wherever he goes, trouble inevitably follows, preventing him from fully enjoying what most would consider a "normal" home life. Or at least the closest he can get to one. So rather than flip the genre on its head or shock us with unexpected developments, director Timothy Tjahjanto picks up where we left off, escalating the insanity to create a more thrilling experience. The rest belongs to Odenkirk as an unassuming husband and father whose skills have since become an open secret, drawing ironic parallels to the actor's own career.