Nobody 2 is a fun romp with gory kills, but it’s limited to just being good and doesn’t strive to be special. Bob Odenkirk’s performance and the creative action hold the film together.

When I heard Nobody 2 was going to be released, the first thought I had was “FINALLY!”  The first film was a delightful surprise, a perfect combination of comedy and brutal killing. The sequel has a new writer and director, Aaron Robin and Timo Tjahjanto, respectively. This was the first major American studio release for both of them. While the story was ridiculous and the villain weak, the action was excellent. The film put a smile on my face at the same time it made my stomach churn.

The film begins with Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) resuming his role as an assassin, as he must pay off debts from the first film. All this work away from home has caused a rift between him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielson), and distance between him and his children. While off one morning, he realizes his family is functioning independently from him, so he decides to take his family on vacation so they can reconnect. He plans a trip to Plummerville, where his father took him and his brother on vacation as children, the only vacation they ever took. Soon after arriving, when they are in the arcade, his son Brady (Gage Munroe) gets in a fight with Max (Lucius Hoyos), the teenage town bully, after he picks on Brady’s sister Sammy (Paisley Cadorath). The family was kicked out, but Hutch chose to go beast mode on the locals whenever an employee hit his daughter as they were leaving. This lands him in jail, and he quickly becomes the target of the idiotic Sheriff Abel (Colin Hanks). Despite instructions from the amusement park owner, Wyatt (John Ortiz), to just kick Hutch out because he is a tourist, Abel sends out men to kill him. Hutch doesn’t realize his actions have gotten him involved in a major trafficking system, led by Lendina (Sharon Stone), who uses the town as a stop.

At only 89 minutes, Nobody 2 flies by. It is almost entirely nonstop action mixed with sweet family moments. Every time you think you’ve seen the most creative kill, the very next one takes it even a step further. It’ll have you wriggling in your seat. Bob Odenkirk is a badass in every sense of the word. He looks like he is having the time of his life as he kicks ass and defends his family. His stereotypical vacation dad vibe was so corny, yet charming. Nearly every member of the cast gets their time to shine during a fight. Christopher Lloyd, who essentially has no purpose in the film, is having a ball, and after such a long, illustrious career, he deserves to. Colin Hanks as the Sheriff was despicable. There is nothing more sickening than corrupt cops, and it was delightful to see Hutch put him in a twist. The final battle is a thing of glory. There are many fun settings that provide the characters with unique ways to beat up gangsters.

It was a great choice to explore the new family dynamic now that it’s known that Hutch is/was an assassin. Being scared that your son might inadvertently follow the same path, or that your wife may have fallen out of love since your passion for killing has re-entered your life, are scary thoughts. The idea to have these characters reconnect on vacation was a solid choice. Family vacation can actually be a terror, although Nobody 2 takes it to another level. The setting of Plummerville is definitely bizarre. It’s a mish-mash of a carnival and a water park, but there are also boat rides that seem like a big appeal for the town. Also, if Plummerville is such an appealing place, you would think there would be hotels. Hutch and the family end up staying in a motel, except for his father, who decides to stay in a nearby log cabin. It certainly feels like a town where there would be drug trafficking because of how illogical it feels.

Nobody 2 has no overlapping story with the previous film. The emotional ramifications of Hutch’s decisions from the first film are explored, but there is no Russian mafia in this one. This wouldn’t be so bad if Lendina weren’t such a lame villain. Sharon Stone as Lendina is fine. The film hypes this character up as the most evil person on the planet, who puts fear in the men of power in the town of Plummerville and beyond, but it is all for naught. The character is bland and basic with no bite or menacing performance to elevate it to a higher level. If she had a connection to Hutch’s past or the previous film, that would’ve added some intrigue, at least.

As much fun as this was, it wasn’t without its issues. Based on its heavy level of action and the fact that the first film was written by Derek Kolstad, it is most certainly influenced by John Wick, even if the tone is quite different. Where the world of John Wick succeeds and Nobody falters is in having a detailed and interesting world. The world of Nobody feels paper-thin. The concept of Hutch going to a city and accidentally getting into trouble with every installation being a one-off sounds fun, but with four years in between, I hoped for a more compelling story. I’m not under the impression that the creators are trying to recreate John Wick in any way other than action, but the quality of action films has improved since 2021. And with the Wick franchise being one of the premier action franchises of the 21st century, comparison naturally happens. This film was fun, and if there are more in the works, they should keep them coming soon. A new Nobody film every couple of years would hit the spot.

Nobody 2 is a fun romp with gory kills, but it’s limited to just being good and doesn’t strive to be special. Odenkirk’s performance and the creative action hold the film together. Even though Hutch may be a nobody, that doesn’t mean these films should feel anonymous. Timo Tjahjanto’s direction was kinetic and exciting, and it deserves a story of the same caliber. I have to wonder what the intentions of the Nobody films are. For its longevity as a franchise, it needs to find something more story-wise to hook onto or lean into its B-movie vibes. There is so much potential with whatever path Universal and the creators choose to go. 

Grade: B

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should Be Considered: None

Where to Watch: In Theaters