As a die-hard fan of action flicks, sitting in a packed cinema hall in Mumbai, munching on some spicy vada pav during the interval, I couldn’t wait to dive into Nobody 2. The first Nobody (2021) was a sleeper hit, transforming Bob Odenkirk from the slick-talking Saul Goodman of Better Call Saul into a badass assassin, Hutch Mansell. With Nobody 2 hitting Indian theatres on August 15, 2025, I was r\eady for another round of high-octane action, and boy, did it deliver! Directed by Indonesian maestro Timo Tjahjanto, this sequel brings back Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, and Gage Munroe, with a fresh dose of chaos, family drama, and a vibe that feels oddly relatable to us desi folks who love a good dhamakedaar story.
A Vacation Gone Haywire
Picture this: Hutch Mansell, the suburban dad with a deadly past, is trying to patch things up with his family. Four years after taking on the Russian mob in the first film, he’s still in debt to them for a whopping $30 million! To pay it off, he’s been globetrotting, pulling off hits like a modern-day Baazigar. But this lifestyle is straining his marriage with Becca (Connie Nielsen), who’s fed up with his long absences. So, Hutch decides to trade his guns for board shorts and take Becca and their kids, Brady (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath), to Wild Bill’s Majestic Midway and Waterpark for a family vacation. Sounds like a fun chhutti, right? Wrong! This is no Hum Saath-Saath Hain family outing.
The moment the Mansell family lands in Plummerville, trouble follows like a pesky rishtedaar. A minor scuffle with some local bullies at the arcade spirals into a full-blown war with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), a shady sheriff (Colin Hanks), and a terrifying crime boss, Lendina, played by the iconic Sharon Stone. It’s like Hutch walked into a masala movie where every goon is out to ruin his parivaar ka sukoon. The trailer had me hooked with its National Lampoon’s Vacation vibes mixed with John Wick-style action, and the film doesn’t disappoint.
Bob Odenkirk: The Desi Action Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed
Bob Odenkirk as Hutch is the heart of Nobody 2. At 62, he’s not your typical Dabangg-style hero with bulging muscles, but that’s what makes him so relatable. He’s like that chacha who quietly sips chai at family gatherings but could probably take down a room full of goons with a teacup. Odenkirk’s performance blends sarcasm, grit, and a touch of vulnerability—perfect for a character who’s juggling family life and a body count. His action sequences, from busting moves in a waterpark brawl to taking on armed thugs, are choreographed with a raw, kinetic energy that had the audience in my theatre cheering like it was a Singham climax.
Connie Nielsen and Gage Munroe Shine
Connie Nielsen as Becca is more than just the worried wife. She’s the emotional anchor, grounding the film with her portrayal of a woman torn between love for her husband and frustration with his dangerous life. There’s a scene where she tells Hutch, “I’ve come to terms with the fact that you don’t have an average job,” and it hits hard—like something you’d hear in a Bollywood drama about a cop’s wife. Nielsen’s chemistry with Odenkirk adds depth to their strained yet loving relationship, making you root for them to sort things out.
Gage Munroe, as teenage son Brady, steps up from the first film. He’s not just the sulky kid anymore; Brady gets moments to shine, whether it’s standing up to bullies or getting caught in the crossfire of his dad’s chaos. Munroe brings a quiet intensity to the role, making Brady feel like the kind of kid who’d fit right into a Delhi school, dealing with peer pressure and family expectations.
A Star-Studded Supporting Cast
The supporting cast is like a masala dosa—packed with flavor. Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s grumpy ex-FBI dad, David, steals scenes with his deadpan humor and surprising combat skills. RZA as Harry, Hutch’s brother, brings a cool, laid-back vibe, like the bhai who’s always got your back. Sharon Stone as the crime boss Lendina is pure dynamite—her chilling presence makes you think of a Don with stilettos. Colin Hanks as the corrupt sheriff and John Ortiz as the sleazy theme-park operator add layers of menace, making Plummerville feel like a small-town Mirzapur.
Why It Feels Desi
As an Indian viewer, Nobody 2 feels like it was made for our love of high-drama family sagas mixed with dhoom-dhaam action. The theme of a man trying to protect his family while battling his own demons is straight out of a Sooraj Barjatya film, but with guns and explosions. The waterpark setting reminded me of those chaotic family trips to EsselWorld or Water Kingdom, where plans always go awry. And the humor—oh, the humor! It’s got that self-aware, tongue-in-cheek vibe we love in films like Hera Pheri, especially with scenes set to quirky tracks like Holiday Road that scream vacation gone wrong.
Direction and Action: Timo Tjahjanto’s Magic
Timo Tjahjanto, known for The Night Comes for Us, makes his English-language debut with Nobody 2, and he brings his signature flair. The action is relentless—think Gangs of Wasseypur meets John Wick. From a waterpark showdown to a climactic face-off with Stone’s crime boss, every fight feels visceral yet stylish. Tjahjanto balances the violence with humor, ensuring the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. The screenplay, penned by Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin, Umair Aleem, and Odenkirk himself, keeps the pace tight, though some plot points feel a bit filmy and predictable.
The Indian Connect
For Indian audiences, Nobody 2 is a treat because it’s the kind of film you’d watch with your cousins on a Sunday afternoon, shouting “Arre, maar usko!” during the fight scenes. The family dynamics resonate—Hutch’s struggle to balance work and home is like every babuji trying to keep the family happy while dealing with office stress. Plus, the idea of a vacation turning into a warzone? That’s peak Indian family outing energy—remember that one time your mama got into an argument with the rickshaw-wala on a trip?
Final Verdict
Nobody 2 is a riot—action-packed, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s the cinematic equivalent of a spicy biryani—familiar, satisfying, and full of kick. Bob Odenkirk proves he’s a one-man army, Connie Nielsen and Gage Munroe hold the family angle together, and the supporting cast adds the perfect tadka. Whether you’re in Delhi, Chennai, or a small town like Plummerville, this film will have you cheering, laughing, and maybe even planning your next family vacation (minus the goons, hopefully).
Where to Watch: In Indian theatres from August 15, 2025, and later on Peacock for streaming.
Sources: IMDb, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, Universal Pictures trailer
