Movies

Affleck Unleashed: The Accountant 2 is a Wild, Action-Packed Ride

BBG News

You might have what I’d term an ‘Afflecktion’: a fondness for Ben Affleck that comes with a hint of self-awareness, as if acknowledging there are more refined actors like Cillian Murphy, Adam Driver, and Josh O’Connor, who are undeniably talented, but they don’t stir the same emotions. Affleck carries an “Anything goes” expression, capable of portraying a wide range of characters: from a quirky sneaker magnate to an alcoholic construction worker seeking redemption through high school basketball coaching, from a tormented television Superman yearning for deeper roles to the gloomiest Batman ever. If he were offered these diverse roles, his response would likely be, “Why not?”

In 2016, Affleck took on the role of a neurodiverse assassin residing in an Airstream trailer filled with weapons, struggling to forge connections with others. Directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque, The Accountant was unexpectedly successful. After a nine-year wait due to various reasons, including a pandemic, the sequel, The Accountant 2 , has finally arrived; once again penned and directed by the original duo, it delivers on all initial expectations while also feeling lighter, more spontaneous, and more enjoyable. Affleck’s character remains more at ease with intricate mathematical equations and rapid-fire weapons than he is with engaging in small talk with a captivating woman in a bar. After all, if the opportunity arises, why not try everything?

The narrative starts off in a straightforward manner, then gradually transforms into something difficult to follow logically. Ray King (J.K. Simmons, reprising his role from the previous film, although briefly), who has retired as Treasury Director and now works part-time as a private detective, encounters a puzzling young woman named Anaïs (Daniella Pineda) in a lively yet shady L.A. bar. He shows her a photograph of a small El Salvadoran family – father, son, and mother – pleading with her to locate them. She’s uncertain about what she’s being asked to do or why; she simply gazes back at him blankly as he urgently explains the concept of “acquired savant syndrome.” Later on, Ray is assassinated by a group of men who have been shadowing him, and his ex-employee, Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), head of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, endeavors to discover who was responsible for his death and uncover the reason. She’s perplexed, however, Ray has left a clue: When he realizes his fate is sealed, he slips into a restroom stall and etches a message on his arm – “Find the accountant.” Fortunately, Marybeth knows exactly how to track down this individual, and before long, Christian Wolff (played by Ben Affleck) arrives in town in his trailer, maintaining an impassive expression but showing a willingness to lend assistance.

The storyline features themes such as human trafficking and mistreatment of child migrants, which can create an uneasy atmosphere given contemporary political contexts. This movie has a way of disrupting its overall tone, making lightheartedness seem somewhat inappropriate. It’s the kind of film that may leave you feeling a tad guilty for enjoying yourself, serving as a somber reminder of the harsh realities present in our world.

Despite the slight instability in its tone, The Accountant 2 makes up for it with numerous aspects done exceptionally well. For instance, the narrative delves deeper into the significance of the tranquil New Hampshire school, the Harbor Neuroscience Academy, which played a pivotal role in shaping Christian’s abilities to navigate the world initially. The academy is portrayed as a nurturing environment where children often perceived as hopeless, like those Robert F. Kennedy Jr., might view them, are instead motivated to hone their talents. Led by Christian’s childhood friend Justine (played by Allison Robertson; her voice is voiced by Alison Wright), these students impressively solve the challenges presented by Christian and Marybeth.

Moreover, Jon Bernthal reappears in a larger role as Christian’s brother Brax, who is also an accomplished contract killer. His entrance is quite dramatic, as he casually checks into a Berlin hotel, receiving a gun in a presentation box; however, we don’t witness his actions with the gun immediately. Instead, we find him surrounded by a group of stunned and deceased adversaries shortly afterward.

The film also explores the complex relationship between Christian and Brax: it is revealed that Christian has been out of touch with Braxton for years, despite promising to reach out at the end of the previous movie. Braxton remains guarded towards his enigmatic brother but eventually softens, sharing an evening together on top of Christian’s trailer. During their bonding time, Braxton reveals that he is attempting to adopt a dog, while Christian matter-of-factly informs him that he prefers cats. And remarkably, he turns out to be correct in his preference.

As Bernthal and I share the screen, our heated exchanges are a delight to witness because each of us brings an exceptional performance. Jon Bernthal’s rugged, rough-hewn demeanor masks a sensitive soul – he’s a modern-day successor to the late, legendary Fred Ward. He provides the perfect contrast to Ben Affleck who seems to be enjoying himself immensely in “The Accountant 2”. In one scene, poor Christian, having manipulated the system with his mathematical prowess, finds himself at a dating event surrounded by potential suitors. Their eyes sparkle – after all, the man portraying this character is none other than handsome Ben Affleck – as they attempt to strike up conversation: “I’m Ann Renee, and I simply adore accountants!” one gushes, only to be met with a stony gaze from Christian. Later, when he and Braxton enter a country-western bar for a drink, a charming, attractive woman in shorts and cowboy boots flirts shamelessly, but quickly retreats when she encounters nothing but bafflement on Christian’s face. Braxton scolds his older brother, suggesting that all Christian needed to do was ask the woman to dance. Why is that beyond him? “Because my mind doesn’t function that way,” he admits, and we sense the turmoil beneath those calmly arched eyebrows, even though his expression remains unchanged.

In a different yet understandable manner, one might say that The Accountant 2 isn’t striving for realism regarding autism, but instead encourages us to ponder the intricacies of our minds, the reasons behind our actions and words, and to acknowledge that despite common assumptions about social cues, every mind is unique. Ben Affleck, in his portrayal of Christian Wolff, demonstrates a deep understanding of the character’s quirks, such as his perfect fit with an absurd Sriracha T-shirt. This reflects the Ben Affleck we adore – the serious actor who can also deliver a witty comeback when needed. In the end, in that bar, Christian dances with the attractive young woman, recognizing that structured line dancing suits his style. This is merely one instance of Ben Affleck’s capabilities, beyond his Oscar-winning achievements in producing and screenwriting. He meticulously considers each role, then dives in: a sign of his calculated risk-taking ability, making even Forrest Gump shoes appear stylish, an idea that might take some time to digest.

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2025-04-25 00:06

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