The Accountant 2

·49 min·4 clips

Why do the hosts think The Accountant 2 gained a cult following despite their initial dislike of the first film?

This episode of Mad About Movies reviews the sequel *The Accountant 2*, starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal. Hosts Brian, Richard, and Ryan analyze the film's performance, its place in Affleck's career, and its attempt to build a franchise. They contrast it with the surprise box-office hold of *The Sinners*, which dropped only 5% in its second weekend, and note the successful 20th-anniversary re-release of *Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith*. The hosts recall their lukewarm reception to the original 2016 film, which gained a cult "dad movie" audience through cable and streaming. They debate the film's increased $80 million budget and its crowded release alongside *The Sinners* and the upcoming *Thunderbolts*. A major point of discussion is Ben Affleck's performance as an autistic action hero, which some feel comes across as a famous actor "doing a caricature" rather than disappearing into the role. They praise Jon Bernthal's energetic supporting turn, comparing his vibe to the *John Wick* or *Fast & Furious* franchises. One surprising insight is that the hosts, who largely disliked the first film, found this sequel more enjoyable due to its shift toward fun action and Bernthal's presence. They note the film's tonal confusion, caught between serious themes like human trafficking and more outlandish, universe-building elements. The podcast highlights a specific, criticized "good doctor" moment involving a dancing scene that one host compared to *Forrest Gump*. The hosts agree the movie is at least 30 minutes too long, citing an unnecessary saloon sequence and an overcomplicated subplot involving teenage hackers. They speculate the film could set up a "Professor X school for gifted children" style spin-off for the Artist Equity production company. The episode ends with grades ranging from a B to a B+, averaging an 80/100 score. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending box-office statistics with personal critique and humorous tangents. The hosts frequently reference other films like *John Wick*, *The Killer*, and *Ozark* for comparison. This episode is perfect for fans of box-office analysis, listeners curious about the *The Accountant* franchise's unexpected resurgence, or those interested in debates about casting and on-screen representation. It might be less engaging for listeners seeking a purely narrative breakdown or those with no prior interest in Ben Affleck's career.

As heard by us

A sequel conversation that turns into a clean debate over whether this should play as a sharper action ride or a more serious franchise move.

Mad About Movies spends this episode with The Accountant 2, and the talk keeps returning to the larger question of what kind of sequel it wants to be.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want the crew's read on The Accountant 2's action and tone, with sequel energy intact.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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