From Grit to Gimmick: The Accountant 2 Misfires
The 2016 thriller The Accountant may not have been revolutionary, but it carved out a niche by placing an autistic protagonist, Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), at its center. Blending high-octane action with a careful, if limited, exploration of neurodivergence, it was a rare mainstream attempt at inclusive storytelling. A sequel had the potential to evolve that narrative—bringing more nuance, more honesty. Unfortunately, The Accountant 2 does the opposite, doubling down on spectacle and sacrificing much of the original’s sincerity.
In the first film, Christian was portrayed as a brilliant but emotionally distant math prodigy and martial artist, trained by his militant father to cope with the world through discipline and self-defense. While it leaned on the savant stereotype, the film made room for subtlety. Affleck—despite not being autistic himself—offered a restrained and respectful performance, navigating Christian’s challenges with care rather than caricature.
This time around, that delicate balance is gone.
To its credit, The Accountant 2 does bring one rare and refreshing element: the casting of autistic actor Allison Robertson as Justine, Christian’s non-verbal tech genius partner. Her presence is a genuine highlight, offering a glimpse into what authentic representation can look like. But the film quickly undermines this progress. Justine now heads a surreal “autistic hacker academy” where kids work keyboards in some underground lair—a setup that feels more like sci-fi parody than thoughtful storytelling.
Even more troubling is the film’s unwillingness to name autism directly. Christian refers vaguely to “my condition” or “my people,” as if shying away from the specificity that gave the original its emotional edge. It’s a disappointing retreat, especially at a time when public understanding of autism still hinges on media portrayals.
The tonal shift is just as jarring. Director Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque steer the sequel into buddy-comedy territory, emphasizing the odd-couple dynamic between Christian and his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal). What was once a tense sibling bond becomes a series of overblown banter sessions—complete with corgi jokes and mid-mission Wizard of Oz references. Their mission, involving a convoluted plot about human trafficking and a missing family, feels like background noise to their nonstop bickering and gunfire.
There are moments meant to evoke humor or charm—like Christian’s awkward speed-dating scene or an out-of-nowhere line-dancing sequence—but they risk reducing his condition to a series of quirks played for laughs. The sensitivity of the first film is mostly drowned out by louder, sillier storytelling.
After nearly a decade of production delays, The Accountant 2 had every opportunity to evolve into something more meaningful. Instead, it plays it safe with generic action beats and muddled messaging. In a cultural moment where autistic voices deserve to be heard clearly and respectfully, this sequel mumbles its message.
Verdict: Despite a standout performance from Allison Robertson, The Accountant 2 loses sight of what made the original resonate. It’s loud, chaotic, and ultimately a missed opportunity.
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda, JK Simmons
Rating: Cert 15
Runtime: 132 minutes