Movies

Ben Affleck’s Post-Divorce Flop: ‘The Accountant 2’ Misses the Mark with a Confusing Plot

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The Accountant 2 (15, 132 mins)

Verdict: Less boring than it sounds

To compensate for what some might consider the most unremarkable title among all films ever made, even surpassing Ordinary People (1980) and The Commuter (2018), The Accountant 2 kicks off with an unexpected burst of action, remarkably set in a bingo hall.

Back in 2016, if you remember, character Ray King (played by JK Simmons), who worked for the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, was on the verge of retiring.

It seems that he’s indeed retired, as one would predict from a film titled “The Accountant 2.” But there’s a sense of incongruity here. Something feels off.

As a faithful observer, I find myself seated inconspicuously towards the rear of the bingo hall, engrossed in some calculations scribbled on a casual napkin. Unbeknownst to me, a group of unsavory individuals are drawing near, their intentions evidently hostile as they now seem determined to undermine my presence here.

Ray, despite being in his seventies, demonstrates remarkable physical prowess by overpowering several physically fit young adversaries, only to later succumb to them, hinting at the numerous implausible events that will follow.

In this case, the main character, played again by Ben Affleck, is Christian Wolff, who has extraordinary abilities in mathematics and happens to be autistic. His skills as a mathematical genius are particularly useful, and he also excels at handling dangerous situations through fighting or shooting when necessary.

Unfortunately, he’s not particularly skilled in connecting with others. At a speed-dating event, he’d programmed algorithms to attract more women than anyone else, yet his attempts to converse with each of them about tax returns backfired, leaving him comically unsuccessful. This is amusing initially, but the joke loses its charm quickly.

Previously, Christian employed his abilities towards illicit activities like money laundering for organized crime figures. However, the situation has now changed as Ray’s former subordinate, Marybeth Medina (played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson), requires Christian’s assistance in dismantling a ruthless human trafficking network.

The secret to defeating the wrongdoers hinges on the mysterious vanishing act of a family residing in El Salvador, and it appears that their destiny may be intertwined with a cold, calculating assassin named Daniella Pineda.

To fully grasp the intricacies of The Accountant 2, it’s not merely a casual read; you’d require more than a simple calculator or guidebook.

A neurodivergent individual with strong Christian beliefs may have unique insights into the situation, but even he might require assistance from his resilient younger brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal), who possesses an extraordinary shooting accuracy and can take down a threatening Central American goon from a distance of 150 yards.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: In their latest collaboration, directors Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque delve into the complex bond between two siblings, and it’s evident that Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal could pass as brothers from the same sturdy gene pool. However, if you’re seeking action thrillers with a solid dose of realism, this might not be your cup of tea.

The Accountant 2 is in cinemas now. 

 

Havoc (18, 105 mins)

Verdict: Spectacularly violent

As an ardent admirer, let me warn you that if you’re expecting a casual watch from the Netflix thriller Havoc, think again! Unless you can stomach scenes of unyielding and severe violence that seem almost miraculous in their ability to leave any character standing by the film’s end.

In a fresh take, “Tom Hardy plays the role of a classic yet overused character: the unconventional American detective grappling with personal chaos. It’s intriguing how such law enforcers, intended to be uniquely offbeat, end up following every stereotypical screenwriting trope.

Frequently, we encounter characters similar to Walker (Hardy); he typically works alongside a junior associate who earns his reluctant admiration. Additionally, there’s often a single child that he rushes to buy an inexpensive Christmas gift for, attempting to compensate for his shortcomings as a father.

It’s a pity that Hardy is confined by the conventional tropes of the genre in Havoc, as he truly shines in his role. He embodies Walker with an authenticity reminiscent of Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan and Al Pacino as Frank Serpico – two iconic, non-conformist cops in cinema. There’s a wealth of such characters we’ve witnessed over the years, but Hardy holds his own in this esteemed company.

The narrative revolves around themes of police department corruption, an over-the-top portrayal of a corrupt mayor played by Forest Whitaker, a botched drug transaction, and relentless gangsters originating from the Eastern world.

The filmmaker responsible for “The Raid” (2011) and “The Raid 2” (2014), the Indonesian gangland movies, is Gareth Evans, a Welshman who doesn’t just stage brutal chaos in his films but seems to admire it almost obsessively.

In a striking manner, he repeats similar actions, notably in a violent incident at a nightclub where a bucket of ice becomes a deadly tool, accompanied by more conventional weapons like a meat cleaver and a firearm (though less common nightclub items).

If you like that sort of thing, it’s a heck of a scene. But you’ve been warned.

Havoc is on Netflix.

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2025-04-24 20:42

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