By Ian Chandler - August 27, 2025
Nobody 2, the sequel to its surprisingly good predecessor, was one of the more exciting movies in the 2025 release window for me. Given that it's been nearly half of a decade since the first one released, I was expecting a fun mix of creative action and hints of dry, dark humor. And although the film is chock full of exciting stunts and pure adrenaline, there are many hiccups that make this film as dull as a nobody. Under a new director and a writer out of ideas, this film is a misfire, albeit a very entertaining one. It's one of those films you'd see just one time on a streaming service, which is a shame given the talent involved.
First and foremost, the action in Nobody 2 is breezy, stylish, and exciting. The camera swings and twists during the more hectic moments, making for a sequence more interesting than a straight, still view of guys firing guns at each other. The cinematography and overall production are noticeably better, given the higher budget. However, none of these scenes are as memorable as the now iconic bus fight from the original. Don't get me wrong, some of the set pieces do stick out, with the fair, for example, having more creative potential than a warehouse. But, even with the larger ambition and bigger budget, Nobody 2 doesn't play its hand well, making for a disappointing thriller. The culprit for the undercooked action choreography and the bumpy flow can be blamed on the script. It is extremely bad, even for the admittedly low standards of a summer action flick. Furthermore, it loses what made the original so captivating: its restrained, laid-back thriller approach.
Derek Kolstand, the writer of the straightforward original, probably wrote both the story and the script in a day. I don't think it was generated by AI either, as ChatGPT would have made a more original and polished screenplay. The dialogue is noticeably awkward and frequently robotic. It's also just bluntly boring! It's also plagued with feeling insultingly adolescent. It's as if it was written by a 12-year-old who just learned the F-word and wanted to put it in every sentence, even where it makes no sense. Vulgarity is often seen as a tool to increase the edgy, tough vibe of these movies, but here it feels shoved in, kicking and screaming. So, a lot of the generic drama, repetitive plot points, and poor flow hold this film back considerably. Without exaggeration, this sequel copies the original's beats almost exactly, dooming the film to being just an inferior "remake" of its better focused predecessor. It feels very forced as the first film's structure does not in any way match the sequel's vacation setting.
If you have seen the original, you'd know that its villain was a bit weak and uninteresting. Well, the first feature's now looks like an exemplary antagonist in comparison to whatever this picture's big bad was. She is as generic as they come, and in a lot of ways, laughably lackluster. The most memorable thing about her is her petting her dog -- and that alone should make it clear she isn't a chilling villain. Side characters tell Hutch throughout the movie how relentlessly and consistently evil she is, yet when she's on the screen, she is by no means intimidating. The actress who plays her, Sharon Stone, brings energy to it; but it doesn't save just how poorly written she is as an action baddie. Nobody 2 also attempts to add some depth to some of its supporting cast, but the additions are minimal, invalidated, and generally uninteresting. Bob Odenkirk's Hutch, though, remains awesome and his character is still exciting to follow around.
The humor is a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it is frequently funny and I even had a few laughs in some spots. The film has good comedic timing and it embracing absurd ideas certainly is delightful. RZA's character, Harry, in particular, was hysterically funny. However, on the other hand, it has become an action comedy instead of an action thriller with sprinkles of humor. Because of that, the film has less of a distinct identity when compared to the last entry. Additionally, it tries a little harder to be goofy, which makes some crazy shenanigans feel more forced than usual. It ultimately further moves the movie into being a disposable picture instead of a comfort watch.
Nobody 2 is, overall, an
unapologetically energetic and entertaining watch. The pacing is breezy, the runtime is short, Hutch is still a great protagonist, but the film's writing department is lacking for those craving more substance as well as being too familiar for those looking for an interesting action flick. Its dialogue and character moments sometimes reach Tommy Wiseau's The Room levels of bad. And, because of Kolstand's uninspired work, Nobody 2's talented production crew, stunt team, actors, and more are undermined for it. I recommend it as a one-time viewing during a guys' night, but once the adrenaline wears off, nothing else of value remains.
Score: 60/100.
