In "The Accountant 2", Christian Wolff, the antisocial tax expert portrayed by Ben Affleck, has finally lived out his dream of spending more time in his refurnished airstream trailer. Living in Idaho, he trades his solitary lifestyle to search for companionship. The sequel of "The Accountant" takes an unexpected light-hearted turn, shifting from intense action to a buddy comedy/thriller narrative.
Premiered at SXSW, the film then went on to major theatrical release on April 25. Despite having an intricate and tangled storyline, "The Accountant 2" manages to entertain its audience with the riveting dynamic between Christian and his brother Brax, reprised by Jon Bernthal. The film particularly flourishes because of the actors' chemistry, which overshadows the complexity of the plot.
"The Accountant 2" kicks off with the murder of the now private investigator, Ray King, portrayed by J.K. Simmons. The former civil servant's case involved a Salvadoran family who moved to the U.S. The mystery around his assignment is left unclear. The task of making sense the case is passed onto Marybeth Medina, King's professional successor, who enlisting the help of Christian Wolff and his brother Brax.
Christian and Brax, separated for nearly a decade for yet unexplored reasons, reconnect through a series of heartwarming interactions. The brothers' growing bond is highlighted through their actions such as rooftop beers and dancing at a local bar. The light-heartedness of these exchanges complement the darker undertone of the film, a reflection of the actors' abilities to keep the narrative grounded.
Christian's development throughout the sequel offers a satisfying narrative pay-off for the audience. Despite the portrayal of his high-functioning autism occasionally dipping into sitcom territory, Christian's celebration of his uniqueness is more pronounced in the sequel. A delightful sub-plot involves Christian and his non-verbal autistic partner, Justine, interacting with students from the Harbor Neuroscience Academy.
Brax, though not given an equally progressive character arc, effortlessly steals scenes. His character's development, while not as well-rounded, contributes to the film's intricate narrative web. Despite its sporadic pacing, director O’Connor manages to infuse humor in each scene, offering comic relief throughout the film. The violence accompanying the humor, although a tad excessive, is sure to appease fans of the original movie, creating a unique blend of comedy and action.
