In a world where action sequels often double down on spectacle while losing the soul of their originals, The Accountant 2 stands as a surprising exception — and much of that credit belongs to Jon Bernthal. The actor, who steps further into the role of Braxton Wolff, Christian Wolff’s (Ben Affleck) estranged and explosive brother, doesn’t just bring more fire to the franchise; he brings a full spectrum of emotion that transforms a gritty action thriller into a heartfelt brotherly power fantasy.
The sequel unlocks a new dimension for Bernthal’s Braxton through brotherly chemistry
Bernthal’s Braxton was a secondary presence in the 2016 original, but in the sequel, he’s given space to shine — and he runs with it. The dynamic between Bernthal and Affleck is nothing short of electric. Director Gavin O’Connor — returning with writer Bill Dubuque — smartly leans into their chemistry, turning every scene the Wolff brothers share into a win. Whether they’re breaking bones, cracking jokes, or simply sitting atop an Airstream trailer shooting the breeze, these moments feel earned and alive.
What makes Braxton and Christian’s relationship work so well is how authentically flawed it is. The brothers aren’t just partners in crime; they’re grappling with years of emotional distance, miscommunication, and unspoken loyalty. Bernthal nails this balance, shifting effortlessly from cocky mercenary to vulnerable brother who just wants to be missed — and loved. That emotional ask, delivered in a quiet scene late in the film, hits like a punch to the heart:
“Is it because of you or because of me? You just don’t, like … miss me. Is that because of you or me? Is it because of … y’know … your condition?”Christian’s reply — “I’m just me.” — is simple, but the weight of that exchange lingers. It’s a moment that grounds the film in real emotional gravity, and it exists solely because Bernthal sells every second leading up to it.
The line-dancing scene is a quiet superhero moment without any punches thrown
If you only walk away remembering one scene from The Accountant 2, make it the line-dancing sequence at the honky-tonk bar. It’s a rare action movie moment that doesn’t rely on violence to convey character growth. Instead, it lets Jon Bernthal and Ben Affleck—through a simple, but deeply expressive interaction—show us who these brothers really are beneath the blood and ledger sheets.
After Christian awkwardly bombs at a speed-dating event, Braxton drags him to a bar for a break. What follows is pure cinematic poetry. Christian, locked into his pattern-recognition mode, mesmerically learns the line dance steps just like he would a complex equation. Braxton watches him, encourages him, and even awkwardly cheers him on when he tries to flirt with a waitress. It’s brotherly improv at its finest — and it humanizes Christian in a way the first film only hinted at.
As Bernthal beams with enthusiastic big-brother energy, we see Braxton not just as a protector, but as someone who genuinely admires and loves his brother. It's a role reversal from their usual dynamic, and it adds layers to both characters without a single punch being thrown. Screen Rant’s Nicolas Ayala style would call this an emotional easter egg — a small moment that unlocks the deeper relationship beneath the surface action.
Bernthal’s performance turns a hyper-violent film into something unexpectedly emotional
Sure, there are more Mozambique Drills than there are emotional beats in most action movies, but The Accountant 2 isn’t most action movies. And Bernthal isn’t most action stars. His performance is grounded enough to make the over-the-top plot — which includes child-trafficking, government conspiracies, and autists hacking drones — feel relatable. His charisma cuts through the chaos, giving the audience an anchor in Braxton’s humanity.
One of Bernthal’s most impressive feats is how he conveys so much with so little. In a small but powerful solo moment toward the film’s end, he delivers a masterclass in understated acting. It’s a quiet scene that doesn’t change the plot, but changes how we see Braxton — not just as an enforcer, but as a man with regrets, hopes, and a capacity for care. It's moments like these that elevate Bernthal from a tough guy to a truly compelling lead.
Autism, brotherhood, and hyper-imagination: The trilogy in the making
While the first film centered on Christian Wolff’s (and his autism) as a lens into solitary genius and emotional isolation, the sequel uses Braxton to bring that internal world outward. Jon Bernthal’s Braxton isn’t just a foil to Christian’s precision; he’s a bridge to the audience. Through his grounded, often playful, and sometimes painfully honest interactions with Christian, we see the protagonist in full human form — not just as an autistic assassin, but as a brother, a man, and someone trying to belong.
As the film embraces its inner shōnen anime with Justine (Allison Robertson) and her team of neurodivergent hackers, it’s Bernthal’s grounded performance that keeps us tethered. He lets us believe in this world — a world where autism is a superpower, where accountants are undercover warriors, and where brotherhood is the ultimate weapon.
Jon Bernthal didn’t just step into The Accountant 2 — he leveled it up. And like Christian Wolff lining up a payload of tax fraud and bullet casings, Bernthal delivers with precision, passion, and a little bit of flair. The more Braxton we get, the better the film — and the deeper the fantasy becomes. Here's hoping the next installment brings Bernthal, Affleck, and maybe even Kendrick back into the mix. Until then, I'll take the line dance.