Four years after the release of Nobody, Hutch Mansell returns to the big screen in Nobody 2 for more intense physical action and dark humor. Bob Odenkirk stars again as Hutch Mansell – a seemingly ordinary man, but under the surface he is a dangerously efficient fighter when he is pushed too far. This time, the sequel doubles down on what worked in the first film, while adding more depth to Hutch’s personal story.
After the events of the first film, Hutch owes a debt for the destruction he caused and he pays it off by taking violent collection jobs. The more jobs Hutch partakes in, the further he drifts away from his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and kids (Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath). Hutch decides that what his family really needs is a vacation, so they pack up and head to Plummerville, a summer town that Hutch went to when he was a child. Everything is going well until Hutch annoys the wrong locals, who make it their mission to run him out of town. The more Hutch learns about the town, the more he realizes it isn’t just about wholesome family fun like he originally thought.
While the first movie focused more on Hutch rediscovering his violent past and tendencies, Nobody 2 expands its scope, leaning more into his family dynamic. Hutch’s relationships with his wife and kids play a bigger role here, giving the story more emotional weight and making the stakes feel more personal. It is a smart choice, adding layers to the mayhem of the story without slowing down the pace.
The change of setting also aids the film in feeling fresh. Taking place in the charming little lakeside town of Plummerville, the sequel uses a summer aesthetic to add to the story of the film. Even in this sunny backdrop, Hutch finds himself facing waves of enemies, leading to a string of high-energy fight sequences that are as creative as they are brutal. A few of the hits and takedowns were so intense that the entire theater audibly reacted — wincing, laughing, and even letting out the occasional "ouch."
What keeps Nobody 2 from becoming just another grim action movie is its willingness to embrace the absurdity of the story. Hutch's father (Christopher Lloyd), played with dry wit and perfect timing, continues to be a screen-stealing source of comedic relief. One of the movie’s most memorable fight sequences takes place on a "duck boat" — not just a normal boat, but a full-on tourist vessel topped with a massive fake yellow rubber duck. It’s the kind of ridiculous setting that perfectly contrasts with the chaos of the fight while Hutch is knocking his opponents' teeth out, making the scene both hilarious and thrilling.
Odenkirk once again proves himself as one of the most unlikely yet compelling modern action stars, effortlessly balancing Hutch’s weary, everyman charm with his lethal abilities. The violence in the film lands with impact, and the moments of levity are placed just right to keep the movie from feeling overly heavy.
If the first Nobody was a pleasant surprise, Nobody 2 is confirmation that this franchise has real staying power. It manages to feel bigger without losing the stripped-down charm that made the original work so well. Fans of the first movie will find plenty to love here with all the nods to the original — but fans may find even more to care about with the family dynamic at the forefront.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
If you have seen Nobody 2 and would like to rate/review it yourself, click here. ~Erin Grace