Nobody 2 Review: Bob Odenkirk Is So Much More Likable As A Sleazy Lawyer Than An Ass-Kicking Dad

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For over three decades now, I’ve been an avid fan of Bob Odenkirk‘s work. In the 1990s, my admiration for him began with his side-splitting performances on the sketch comedy show “Mr. Show with Bob and David”, as well as guest appearances on several of my favorite sitcoms. Just like many others, I was amazed by his transformation into the complex character Jimmy McGill (a.k.a Saul Goodman) on “Breaking Bad” and its spin-off “Better Call Saul”. Odenkirk consistently demonstrates his intelligence, talent, and versatility across various roles, and his unique charm makes him excel both as a lead actor and in supporting parts.

Nobody 2

Launch Date: August 15, 2025

In the Director’s Chair: Timo Tjahjanto

Penned By: Derek Kolstad & Aaron Rabin

Leading Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, RZA, Colin Hanks, Christopher Lloyd, and Sharon Stone

Rating Warning: This movie contains intense gory violence and frequent strong language.

Running Time: Approximately 89 minutes (1 hour and 29 minutes)

I find the “Nobody” films quite frustrating, especially since I was looking forward to watching them, especially the original from early 2021. As a fan, I anticipated enjoying Bryan Odenkirk’s debut as an action star, but unfortunately, the weak script and questionable messaging left me feeling underwhelmed instead. The issues only intensify in “Nobody 2,” where the predictable script seems even more uninspired, and the character of Hutch Mansell portrayed by Odenkirk is difficult to root for despite his charm.

As a die-hard fan, I was eagerly anticipating the prequel just like I did for its predecessor, primarily because of Bob Odenkirk’s captivating performance. However, the initial thrill of witnessing a comedic talent dive into intense on-screen violence has worn off, and unfortunately, this film doesn’t offer anything new to compensate. Instead, we’re left with an unsympathetic protagonist trapped in a predictable narrative that lacks tension or emotional depth. The end result? An unpleasant cinematic journey that leaves you yearning for more substance and less monotony.

In the sequel to “Nobody,” Hutch finds himself stuck once again in monotonous circumstances. To clear a debt left over from burning down the Russian money cache in the previous film, he’s compelled to carry out covert assignments, causing him to drift apart from his wife (Connie Nielsen) and kids (Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath). Yearning for a respite, with surprisingly minimal resistance from his supervisor (Colin Salmon), Hutch arranges a family trip.

Drawing on the fond memories of a single journey he made with his father (Christopher Lloyd) and brother (RZA) during his childhood, Hutch guides the Mansell clan to Plummerville – an amusement park filled with a water park and numerous other attractions. Unbeknownst to this weary assassin, this place is actually a covert center for criminal operations led by a figure named Lendina (Sharon Stone). When he incurs the disfavor of the local sheriff (Colin Hanks), son of the town’s founder (John Ortiz), he realizes that he has become a marked man, and his family is now in grave danger.

Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell is a lousy main character who only gets worse in the sequel.

In “Nobody 2,” the main character is plagued by the fact that he creates all of his own struggles, yet lacks the charm to make us empathize with his attempts to escape his predicament. Interestingly, the story’s setting doesn’t appear to present any issues for him: when Hutch desires a break from his debt-collecting assassin duties, he gets it without any objections or repercussions. Despite his selfish and aggressive actions, there seems to be no limit to what he can do that wouldn’t provoke justified anger from his family. For instance, Connie Nielsen’s Becca drafts a “We need to talk” message in the early part of the story when Hutch disappears from her life, but it’s quickly erased and replaced with a “Love you,” and a genuine conversation never takes place.

The character repeatedly emphasizes that his main goal is creating a joyful family vacation filled with cherished memories, yet overlooks the option of achieving this by visiting anywhere other than Plummerville, where their safety might be compromised. It’s worth noting that he does exhibit noble acts, such as rescuing a kidnapped teenager discovered during a confrontation in a criminal hideout. However, the film frequently highlights his outbursts of anger, particularly in personal and trivial situations, making it difficult to cheer for him consistently due to these questionable actions.

Director Timo Tjahjanto’s action skills are apparent in Nobody 2, but don’t enthrall as they do in his other movies.

Poor storytelling in ‘Nobody 2’ inevitably affects its main focus, the action. Director Timo Tjahjanto excels at creating intense, violent fight scenes (the 2018 movie, ‘The Night Comes for Us’, is so brutal it might require a “might cause TMJ” warning). The fighting sequences are undeniably impressive, full of skillful choreography. However, when the central character’s journey lacks purpose and the danger seems insignificant, even the most ingenious use of a waterpark as a battlefield provides only temporary amusement on screen. I admire the creativity that went into devising ways to transform a waterpark into a killing field with an array of weapons, riggings, and explosives, but it results in brief instances of enjoyment rather than a lasting impact.

The 89-minute duration of “Nobody 2” leaves no doubt that this film is intended as light-hearted entertainment, particularly evident in Sharon Stone’s exaggerated, one-dimensional portrayal of the villain. While a movie can be absurd, it doesn’t necessarily equate to amusement. Unfortunately, I didn’t find myself enjoying it. The sequel seems to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor but with less success and without effectively leveraging the appealing qualities of Bob Odenkirk. Consequently, watching “Nobody 2” turns out to be an unpleasant cinema experience.

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2025-08-14 07:11