4K Ultra HD Review – Nobody 2 (2025)

      Nobody 2, 2025.

      Directed by Timo Tjahjanto.

      Starring Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, John Ortiz, RZA, Sharon Stone, Colin Salmon, Colin Hanks, Gage Munroe, and Paisley Cadorath.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A former assassin who is now living as a suburban family man takes his loved ones on a vacation to escape his violent past, but events soon make it impossible for him to stay out of trouble.

      The 2021 film Nobody was a surprise success, benefiting from its association with the John Wick franchise and featuring some of the same team. It offered hope to middle-aged fathers everywhere as Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), an overall nice guy, was tired of being overlooked by his family, neighbors, and coworkers. His hidden past as a special ops assassin resurfaced dramatically when he burned through $30 million of a Russian mobster's cash.

      Now, we are presented with the inevitable sequel, where, in classic sequel fashion, the stakes are raised, resulting in even more violence and action. We reconnect with Hutch, who is repaying the Russian money by undertaking covert missions for ‘The Barber’ (Colin Salmon). However, being a middle-aged man taking out numerous adversaries takes a toll. With his marriage to Becca (Connie Nielsen) and his relationship with teenage son Brady (Gage Munroe) strained due to his absence, Hutch decides to take the family – including young daughter Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) and grandfather David (Christopher Lloyd) – to a small-town theme park for some relaxation. Unfortunately, trouble lurks around the corner, and after Hutch confronts the park's security, a sequence of events puts him and his family in the crosshairs of corrupt Sheriff Abel (Colin Hanks) and local crime boss Lendina (Sharon Stone).

      Typically, franchises don't find their rhythm until the third installment, as part twos often attempt something new before returning to what made the original successful. However, Nobody 2 abandons any experimental ideas and jumps straight into the action, which has become a bit more violent and, admittedly, a tad more ruthless compared to its predecessor. While shooting faceless villains from afar in a burst of blood squibs is entertaining, slamming a man's head into a saw feels more intense. To be fair, the camera refrains from showing the head splitting open, but it nonetheless adds a touch of grindhouse brutality to an otherwise polished studio action thriller.

      Most of the original cast is back, but having Christopher Lloyd and not utilizing him beyond a few quips seems like a missed opportunity, especially since he was a standout in the first film. John Ortiz appears as the theme park owner, injecting some additional energy, and Sharon Stone clearly enjoys her role as Lendina, the merciless crime lord who eliminates entire bloodlines if wronged. In contrast, Colin Hanks appears somewhat lost as the corrupt sheriff under Lendina’s control; while he tries to act tough, his lack of on-screen kills detracts from his character's believability.

      Overall, Nobody 2 continues Hutch Mansell's journey without straying too far from the original formula. The violence is expertly choreographed and filmed similarly, though with added slow-motion scenes for heightened effect. The set pieces look stunning in 4K UHD, showcasing plenty of detail, and the dynamic Dolby Atmos sound elevates the action, making it the ideal way to experience the film if you have the right setup.

      We also see a few additional character moments that weren't present before, such as Becca's exceptional marksmanship at the funfair shooting range, which may come into play later. However, the plot remains thin and essentially rehashes the first film, leaving little room for significant development. In conclusion, if you enjoyed Nobody, you will likely appreciate Nobody 2, though perhaps not to the same extent.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward