‘Nobody 2’ Review: Odenkirk Returns for a Brutal, & Surprisingly Breezy Vacation

When Nobody debuted in 2021, it arrived at a strange moment in movie history. Theaters were only beginning to reopen during the pandemic, and audiences weren’t sure what they were ready to return for. But tucked within that uncertainty was a tightly wound, mid-budget action flick with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk showing off his bruised knuckles and steely gaze as Hutch Mansell, a dad with a dormant past and a penchant for violence. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something new and undeniably fun.

Cut to 2025, and Nobody 2 lands with a louder punch, a faster pace, and a surprising amount of dark humor. Odenkirk returns as Hutch, now fully embracing his violent alter ego and no longer hiding from his family. He’s back in the game, killing, maiming, and breaking every bone in sight to repay a $30 million debt owed to the mysterious and dangerous Barber, whose obshchak Hutch incinerated in the first film.

But even assassins need a break, and Nobody 2 kicks into gear when Hutch attempts to take his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and kids Brady (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) on a family vacation to Plummerville, the same place his father (Christopher Lloyd) used to bring him and his brother Harry (RZA). Of course, things don’t stay quiet for long. The vacation turns into a violent free-for-all when Hutch runs afoul of Lendina (Sharon Stone), a sadistic bootlegging kingpin who won’t let a few tourists derail her empire.

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, taking the reins from Ilya Naishuller, Nobody 2 keeps the same gritty style and chaotic energy of its predecessor, while adding a sharper edge of humor. The directing duo of Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin balances tightly choreographed fight sequences with snappy dialogue, crafting a sequel that never takes itself too seriously but still lands its blows—both emotionally and literally.

“Nobody 2 is like National Lampoon’s Vacation meets John Wick—it’s the vacation you never wanted, but you’ll enjoy every action-packed minute of it.”

There are recurring themes about identity and legacy. Hutch struggles with the line between providing for his family and protecting them from the violence that defines his life. “Wherever you go, there you are,” the Barber reminds him, and it’s a poignant thesis that the film flirts with but never quite explores. Hutch’s attempts to model restraint for his son ring hollow when he’s simultaneously smashing skulls with a snow globe. His marriage also teeters on the edge of collapse in the first act, but by the end, any tension is resolved with a handshake and a wink. Nobody 2 isn’t interested in deep therapy sessions; it’s all about action.

Clocking in at a quick and easy 89 minutes, the film rarely pauses to catch its breath, and honestly, that works in its favor. The action set pieces are lean, mean, and peppered with just enough inventive camera work to keep you engaged. Tjahjanto has a few tricks up his sleeve, especially during the third-act amusement park melee, which smartly uses rollercoasters, haunted houses, and carnival rides as backdrops for creative and gory brawls. It’s like National Lampoon’s Vacation meets John Wick.

Still, what keeps this blood-spattered ride grounded is Bob Odenkirk. He’s the soul of the franchise, and he sells Hutch as both a loving dad and a terrifying killer with remarkable ease. His comedic instincts remain razor-sharp, and he brings an undercurrent of humanity to even the most absurd scenarios. Connie Nielsen gets more screentime and delivers a welcome dose of dramatic heft, while Christopher Lloyd is clearly having the time of his life, armed and dangerous in his twilight years. RZA pops in for a well-earned action sequence, and Sharon Stone devours every scene with campy menace. She’s a bit cartoonish at times, but it fits this movie’s heightened reality.

Colin Hanks and John Ortiz round out the supporting cast with solid performances, Hanks sleazy and untrustworthy, Ortiz warm and principled. The latter’s subplot as a small-town mayor trying to chart his own path feels a bit tacked on, but it gives the film a thematic mirror to Hutch’s own journey—even if it’s a slightly foggy one.

Ultimately, Nobody 2 is a satisfying sequel that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but sharpens its edges. It’s bloodier, snarkier, and more streamlined than the original, and though it squanders some of the emotional depth it hints at, the ride is just too fun to nitpick too much. With a killer cast, sharp direction, and a final act that practically dares you not to cheer, Nobody 2 proves that sometimes violence can be a family affair.

Grade: B

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