Nobody 2 Review
Director Timo Tjahjanto deftly combines family comedy and brutal action in Bob Odenkirk’s latest.
Bob Odenkirk in Nobody 2. Credit: Universal Pictures
Nobody 2 is Bob Odenkirk’s latest outing as an action star, following the first film in the franchise released in 2021. The new film shifts its tone, blending the brutal action with family comedy in an odd mix that works. Director Timo Tjahjanto of New Indonesian Extreme fame (The Night Comes for Us) tones down the violence from his earlier work, even with an R rating here, but Nobody 2 still delivers.
Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) was an average suburban dad until the events of the first film threw him back into his old life as a brutally efficient assassin, in a way similar to John Wick, a film incidentally also written by Nobody screenwriter Derek Kolstad. Nobody 2 opens four years later, with his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and children Brady (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) aware of his old—and new—career. Hutch has been working nonstop, doing gigs to pay back the $30 million he burned in the first film, which has put a strain on his family with his absence. Hutch decides to take his family to Plummerville, home of the oldest waterpark in the country, and the place his own dad took him as a kid on his first and only family vacation. As would be necessary for violent action to take place, trouble finds Hutch, who is forced to take action.
Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd, and Connie Nielsen in Nobody 2. Credit: Universal Pictures
Bob Odenkirk continues to impress as a leading man as he imbues Hutch with a relatable world-weariness that’s constantly in conflict with his propensity to end up in violent situations. Other highlights are Colin Hanks as a corrupt, self-serving sheriff, and RZA as Hutch’s sword-wielding brother Harry. Christopher Lloyd appears as Hutch’s father, David, but barely registers in the film. Sharon Stone plays villain Lendina with relish, bringing the big bad to life in the style of unhinged psychos from Asian cinema.
Colin Hanks in Nobody 2. Credit: Universal Pictures
The film impressively juggles its duality as a violent action flick and a family comedy. Tjahjanto makes it work as they repeatedly cross over each other. Hutch isn’t quite the hapless Clark Griswold, but I couldn’t help but be reminded of National Lampoon’s Vacation. Nobody 2 is a great spin on that kind of movie. I’m excited to see what Tjahjanto brings to his next project, The Beekeeper 2, and how he handles Jason Statham’s onscreen persona.
Nobody 2 focuses more on the family dynamics than the first film, which is another interesting change. The drama between Hutch and his son, and the fact that Hutch sees some of his rage in the teen, adds dimension to the characters. Likewise, Connie Nielsen gets far more screen time in this sequel as the Mansells’ marriage troubles play out. These aren’t the usual paper-thin characterizations you’d expect from an action movie like this. The antagonists are the exception here, but that’s fine.
The action choreography is better than that of the average American movie, thanks to the efforts of 87North (Nobody, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Fall Guy). The production and action design company continues to prove its talent. Aside from the satisfyingly fun violence, the action is a chaotic ballet that remains legible; legibility is a common problem in American action, and it makes me happy to see this changing with the work of production companies like these.
Sharon Stone in Nobody 2. Credit: Universal Pictures
Nobody 2 is a great time in the theater. It’s not 100% necessary to have seen the first movie in the series, but I think familiarity with the character and the general plot will give a better experience.
Nobody 2 opened in theaters on August 15, 2025.
