The Accountant 2 Review: Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal Deliver an Action-Packed, Thrilling Sequel
When it comes to the excitment of SXSW film premieres, The Accountant 2 set the bar high before the film even started. Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal made a grand entrance at The Paramount Theater, rolling up in the same pick-up truck and Airstream trailer featured in the movie. The crowd went wild, setting the perfect tone for what turned out to be an absolute blast of a film.
It’s been nine years since The Accountant hit theaters, and for many (myself included), it remains one of Ben Affleck’s most underrated action movies. The first film introduced us to Christian Wolff, a forensic accountant with a sharp mind, lethal skills, and an unconventional moral code. Now, in The Accountant 2, we see him dive even deeper into his most dangerous operations ever.
Plot & Characters
This time, Christian finds himself investigating the murder of a friend, which leads him straight into the world of human trafficking. The stakes are even higher than before, and to take on this new threat, he reunites with his estranged brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal), turning the sequel into a high-intensity, action-packed family reunion. Bernthal, now stepping into full co-lead status, plays perfectly off Affleck, creating a dynamic that feels like an ultra-violent Rain Man meets Lethal Weapon.
One of the best things about The Accountant 2 is how it balances brutality with character-driven moments. For fans of graphic action-packed violence, there’s plenty of bone-crunching action, especially in the third act which is set in Mexico, which also leads to an unexpected emotional weight to Christian and Braxton’s relationship. The film leans into their isolation, shared family history, and their complicated bond, making their team-up as engaging as it is lethal.
Affleck is fully locked in, and delivers a performance that reminds us why Christian Wolff is one of his best characters. He plays the role with precision, layering in Christian’s unique personality traits while delivering some killer fight sequences. Bernthal, on the other hand, brings a much-needed edge of humor, often poking at Christian’s hyper-focused personality while embracing his own brute-force methods and comically damaged ego. Together, they create a duo that’s just as fun to watch in conversation as they are in a gun battle.
While the story can be a bit convoluted at times (the web of connections between government agencies, crime syndicates, and the central mystery is a lot to track), it’s ultimately just an excuse to let Affleck and Bernthal tear through bad guys and play off each other in multiple scenes. The action is tighter, the fight choreography is even more brutal, and director Gavin O’Connor knows exactly how to make every punch, gunshot, and takedown hit hard, which is why this movie should most definitely be seen in a theater.
That being said, if there’s one minor gripe, it’s the lack of a truly memorable villain. There’s plenty of bad guys that seem to exist mostly as cannon fodder, and there’s even some thrilling showdowns, but the antagonists aren’t very memorable nor do they leave a lasting impression. But let’s be honest—no one is watching The Accountant 2 for a deep villain arc. We’re here for Affleck and Bernthal going full throttle, and on that front, the film delivers powerfully.
Final Verdict: 4.6/5 stars. Bring on The Accountant 3!
For those craving an old-school style, action thriller with strong characters and high stakes, The Accountant 2 is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a sequel that easily lives up to the original, and maybe even surpasses it in some ways. Thanks to its slick pacing, brutal action, and the fantastic chemistry between its leads, most will be more than satisfied with this one and most likely rewatch it a few times.