Nobody 2

Nobody 2

Released August 15, 2025

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto

Written by Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin

* No Spoilers *

Nobody 2 is a direct sequel to the 2021 surprise hit, once again starring Bob Odenkirk and, like the first, filmed right in my hometown of Winnipeg. Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA return alongside Odenkirk, while Sharon Stone and Colin Hanks are featured in new roles.

If you’ve seen the first movie, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. If you haven’t there might be few questions about who this guy is and what’s going on. However, you don’t need to have seen it to enjoy this one, though I highly recommend it for it’s own merit.

The film picks up after the first. Odenkirk’s Hutch is a working man’s contract killer trying to pay off his debts. Think "Dad Wick”, less polished and more gritty. He’s overworked, constantly running missions, and it’s putting a strain on his family life. The man needs a vacation, but it’s not in his nature to stay out of trouble so things inevitably spiral out of control. The story isn’t deep; it’s mostly a pretext for the action scenes but there’s still a surprising amount of heart. While it doesn’t go far in character development, there are strong character moments, especially for Hutch and his family. This dynamic plays like a twisted version of a National Lampoon’s Vacation movie, just with bullets, blood, and broken glass.

As a Winnipegger, part of the fun for me is spotting familiar locations. Nobody 2 makes great use of the Red River, The Forks, Skinner’s hotdogs, and especially the Fort Garry Hotel, which shows up repeatedly under different disguises. If you aren’t familiar you might think these are a bunch of unique settings, but locals will definitely catch on.

The action is rough, gritty, and sometimes even more creative than John Wick. The fights feels visceral with characters getting bruised, beaten, and bloodied. There’s no sense of invincibility, and its really refreshing. The handheld, slightly shaky style adds to the raw feel without going overboard. All the action sequences themselves are top-tier: inventive, chaotic, and fun. The film doesn’t waste time on mystery either with Hutch’s skills as a killer established from the start.

Bob Odenkirk is fantastic. He’s so believable as an overworked, angry, on edge father who just wants peace and quiet. He is incredibly competent in every fight and seems to be doing most of his own stunt work, making the action feel authentic. Connie Nielsen (Gladiator 2) is great as Hutch’s frustrated but concerned wife. Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), who’s quirky even in his old age, mumbles through most of his lines but is still a joy to see. RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists) brings the shaolin/samurai energy, mixing philosophy, matcha, and violence. Sharon Stone (Disaster Artist) is hamming it up as a campy, moustache-twirling villain, clearly having the time of her life and Colin Hanks (Jumanji: The Next Level) makes for a perfectly hate-able rural sheriff.

The movie is rough around the edges. It never reaches the polished, glossy action of some of it’s contemporaries but that’s part of its charm. On the outside it has a duct-tape-and-stitches quality, but underneath is sharp, methodical filmmaking. The sound mix has the occasional hiccup, but the overall design is strong, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. Stylized uses of Johnny Cash and other classic songs create a playful contrast with the violence, even if it feels a bit repetitive.

Nobody 2 is quick and lean, at barely 80 minutes. It’s packed with guns, explosions, shattered glass, and chaos, but surprisingly earnest and even sweet at times. It’s extremely violent, so definitely not a movie to watch with young kids, although it is a family based story with a lot of humour. Themes of overwork, making memories, and parental instincts come through despite the carnage. The highlight for me is the climax: a Home Alone-style sequence at a carnival with booby traps, explosives, and lots of bullets. It’s colourful, inventive, and one of the most fun set pieces I’ve seen in a recent action film.

7/10* - It  might not be quite as strong as the first film, but I still had a blast. As a Winnipegger, I’ll admit it my bias, as this earns a bonus for showcasing my city on screen.  It’s a fun, creative, and surprisingly heartfelt action movie that proves Odenkirk’s “Dad Wick” still packs a punch.

*Realistically I feel like this as much as I did mainly because it was shot in Winnipeg.

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