Director: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and J.K. Simmons
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Autism is a sensitive disease that is rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to depict a sensitive disorder that is misunderstood. On a personal level, I find the struggles endured by Autistic people to be relatable. Ever since I was a teenager, I have been affected by the disorder. My strong signs of Autistic behaviours became evident in high school when I became obsessed with mathematical numbers. Drawn to accounting, I loved to solve difficult formulas in math classes that were challenging. Like Christian Wolf’s desire to become an accountant, I sought success in a challenging class with commitment. However, my dreams of becoming an accountant were shattered when I faced a breakdown under pressure. In eleventh grade, I faced a panic attack causing my dreams of graduation to fade. An anxious panic attack, it was caused by failing accounting tests which I regarded precious. As Autism caused life to spiral out of control, I wondered whether I would achieve my graduation goal. Just when I had lost all hope, family support gave me the power to cope. My brother became a supportive caregiver that allowed me to cope with a disorder. I formed strong relationships with a brother that gave me tips on how to overcome a disorder causing hardships. Years later, I treasure memories of a brother that gave me strength to overcome a devastating disorder.
As someone that witnessed the challenges which Autistic individuals go through, I adored “The Accountant 2”. Released in 2025, Gavin O’Connor’s movie captured Autistic accountants. Packed with breathtaking production-design, strong storytelling and captivating acting, it’s an engrossing thriller. At the centre of it all is Ben Affleck, who embodied an Autistic account facing tension. Although “The Accountant 2” is a captivating thriller, it isn’t a flawless film. Its unevenly paced, and builds towards an ambiguous ending. Nevertheless, it offers exhilarating entertainment that will satisfy fans of crime thrillers.
Following the events of the first movie, “The Accountant 2” tell the story of an accountant facing tragedy. Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, an autistic accountant that has retired from his profession. Christian shares a bond with his brother Braxton (John Bernthal), who is a dangerous assassin. However, Christian’s life changes when he is called back into action for a new mission causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Christian questions whether it’s possible for him to accomplish his goals causing disaster.
Gavin O’ Connor is fascinated with the lives of accountants that face danger. O’Connor has often made engaging movies about the lives of accountants experiencing tragedy. With “The Accountant 2”, however, O’Connor created his first CIA thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture lives of accountants which face tragedy but he succeeded tremendously. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, O’Connor effectively uses montages to capture hardship that autistic accountants are experiencing. For instance, montages elevate the data analysis scene. During this memorable scene, Christian analyzes data concerning the grim murder of a woman. It brought back fond memories of my lifelong love for accounting as a subject that shaped my identity. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested, montages enhance great coming of age films. Nevertheless, they work well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, O’ Connor captures grim hardships that autistic accountants are enduring.
Another admirable aspect of “The Accountant 2” that deserves recognition is the production. O’ Connor uses shaky camera to capture the strong bonds between brothers facing a dilemma. For instance, handheld cinematography elevates the fight scene. During this memorable scene, Christian and Braxton engage in a tense fight causing tension. One admires shaky camera capturing the strong bonds between brothers embarking on a mission. It reminded me of my strong bond with a brother that motivated me to overcome a disorder leaving me devastated. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Bryce Dessner’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden accountants bear. Through strong production, O’Connor captures Autistic accountants which embark upon a dangerous mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Accountant 2” is a film about lives of accountants that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs silence to capture the tensions accountants engaging in a life of crime are enduring. For instance, silence elevates the complex equation scene. During this emotional scene, Christian has an emotional breakdown after he fails to complete a dangerous mission causing tension. It reminded me of my panic attack in school when I began failing accounting classes I appreciated. Silence is a tricky technique. As John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” suggested, silence elevates horror films. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay. Through a powerful screenplay, O’Connor captures commemorated accountants facing a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Ben Affleck delivers one of his greatest career performances as Christian Wolf. Affleck achieved appreciation for playing supporting friends in coming-of-age dramas. With “The Accountant 2”, however, he took on his most complex role. It’s challenging to portray an Autistic accountant with an eccentric personality but Affleck succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, Affleck captures angst, depression and resentment of an accountant. It’s a powerful performance by one of the finest stars working today.
Jon Bernthal is brilliant as an assassin that seeks to reconnect with his brother enduring tension. While Affleck gets the showier role, Bernthal excels as an assassin whose life spirals out of control. Bernthal has a sharp sense if humour, and “The Accountant” showcased his talents as an actor. Whether he’s seeking to solve an equation or showcasing his skills for dance, Bernthal uses strong body language to craft a character that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Finally, “The Accountant 2” will earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing hardships Autistic people go through. Unlike most movies about Autism, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses meaningful themes such as identity, disability and sibling rivalry. Viewers don’t need to have an interest in accounting to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Accountant 2” is one of those rare movies everyone would value.
Although “The Accountant 2” is undeniably a captivating crime thriller, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor drawback to the film, it lacks compelling pacing. O’Connor’s decisions to integrate subplots about mental hospitals into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing the lives of patients in a mental institution aren’t often as engaging as Christian’s mission. As Milos Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” suggested, subplots about mental hospitals elevate classic 1970’s movies. Moreover, the film lacks a strong ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion failing to bring the movie to a satisfying resolution. Therefore, “The Accountant 2” can’t capture hardships accountants go through.
Nevertheless, fans of Ben Affleck will enjoy “The Accountant 2” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting drama, it honours an actor with charisma that has become an icon in cinema.
A captivating portrait of challenges that mathematical accountants facing hardships of Autism are experiencing, it’s a riveting reminder that stories about a misunderstood mental condition that is all too often stigmatized in the media deserve to be told in commemorated movies which are absolutely worth celebrating.
As strong as Christian’s desire to overcome his Autism, it has motivated me to move on with life several years after facing a painful problem that affected my abilities to succeed in a tough education system by cherishing joyful memory of a brother whose words of wisdom incited me to achieve my dream of film criticism.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 