When Nobody (2021) premiered, it was received as a sort of distant cousin to John Wick, but with its own identity rooted mainly in the unexpected charisma of Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) and the spot-on balance between action, violence, and humor. Four years later, the sequel arrives under the direction of Timo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes for Us), an Indonesian filmmaker known for his energetic and inventive eye for action, promising to keep the formula that won over its target audience alive and well. Walking into the theater, I knew exactly what to expect: more meticulously choreographed beatdowns, more tension-breaking jokes, and, most likely, a story that wouldn’t stray far from the original’s blueprint.
Written by Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and Aaron Rabin (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Nobody 2 once again follows Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk), the seemingly ordinary man who’s actually a lethal combat machine. The story repeats the central premise: Hutch is trying to enjoy a well-deserved family vacation, but his violent “job” keeps showing up at his doorstep. When a threat decides to disrupt the memories he’s trying to create with his wife and kids – this time led by an eccentric, power-hungry villain played by Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct) – Hutch finds himself once again dragged into the world he tried to step away from, at least temporarily. The sequel wastes no time bringing back the recognizable elements from the first outing: the circular narrative structure, the gradual escalation of confrontations, and the inevitable all-out action blowout in the third act.
If, on one hand, that familiarity makes the experience predictable, on the other, it’s also part of the charm. Nobody 2 doesn’t pretend to reinvent the wheel – on the contrary, it openly embraces its nature as a sequel that replicates the formula, only tweaking the family dynamics. As is common in follow-ups of this kind, Hutch’s family plays a more active role in the action sequences, directly participating in the conflicts and improvised traps. However, any attempt to explore the family relationships or dilemmas in greater depth is quickly drowned out by the absolute priority: entertaining the audience with stylized violence and dark humor.
And on that front, Tjahjanto is up to the task. The fight and shootout choreography is creative, energetic, and, above all, fun. There’s a constant sense of spectacle, with each confrontation designed to elicit both laughs and winces. The big amusement park climax is a perfect example: Hutch and company turn the entire space into a battlefield full of clever traps, combining creativity and chaos in a way reminiscent of certain Jackie Chan set pieces – not in terms of acrobatics, but in the imaginative use of the setting. The camera always gives enough room for the stunt performers to shine, and it’s particularly satisfying to see Odenkirk himself pulling off several moves, adding authenticity to the action.
Another element that adds flavor to the violence is the soundtrack, which nails the tone perfectly. The chosen songs hilariously contrast with the onscreen bloodbath, enhancing Nobody 2‘s comedic edge. This approach could easily feel overdone or repetitive, but here it stays fresh thanks to sharp timing and a smart variety of musical styles. The humor doesn’t just come from the dialogue – it’s built into the staging of the violence itself, something few action movies manage to balance this well.
The script, for its part, makes no effort to hide its derivative nature. Stone’s villain is a walking cliché – motivated solely by money and power, without any nuance or psychological depth. And, ironically, it’s precisely that lack of pretension that makes her performance so fun. Stone leans into the over-the-top nature of the character, delivering a cartoonish antagonist that fits perfectly with the saga’s tone. It’s always a pleasure to see an actress of her stature turn a generic role into something memorable, and her presence ends up being one of the highlights of the sequel – if anything, there’s too little of her.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore that Nobody 2 is essentially “more of the same”. Anyone looking for thematic development or a more mature take on family issues will inevitably be disappointed. Certain elements introduced throughout the story are simply forgotten, making it clear that the focus was never on telling a story with emotional weight. The repetition of arcs and conflicts from the original reinforces the sense that this is a comfortable sequel, made to please fans who want more time with the same characters, without big surprises.
However – and perhaps this is the film’s secret – that predictability doesn’t make it boring. On the contrary, the short runtime and brisk pacing keep the entertainment flowing. There’s no narrative fat or overly long pauses; every scene serves to lead into the next burst of action or comedic beat. The cast constantly gives off the vibe that they’re having a blast, and that energy is contagious. As a viewer, it’s hard not to get into the same spirit, even when you can see every story beat coming minutes in advance.
Final Thoughts on Nobody 2
Nobody 2 isn’t going to redefine the genre or make anyone’s top-ten lists of the year, but it fulfills its mission perfectly: entertain its target audience for ninety minutes with inventive, stunt-driven action, sharp humor, and a charismatic lead. It’s one of those cases where the formula, even worn out, still works thanks to competent execution and the collective enthusiasm of cast and crew. If the formula is here to stay, so be it – just keep the smile on my face. As long as that balance between violence and lightness remains, along with the commitment to creative, stunt-led set pieces, bring on the third one.
Rating: B
Nobody 2 is now playing in theaters.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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