Quick Info
So, The Accountant is one of those action thrillers that kind of snuck under the radar when it came out in 2016. Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, an autistic math savant who also happens to be a phenomenal fighter and, surprise, an accountant for some seriously dangerous clients. On paper, it sounds like a wild mash-up, and honestly, that's exactly what you get - a movie that's never really sure if it wants to be John Wick or A Beautiful Mind.
What works really well here is Affleck's performance. He’s surprisingly restrained, almost robotic, but it fits the character. There’s a stiffness to his interactions that's supposed to reflect Christian's neurodivergence, and while the script flirts with clichés, Affleck keeps it from turning into parody. Anna Kendrick shows up too, and their chemistry is…offbeat. Not bad, just awkward in a way that actually makes sense for these two weirdos.
The action is genuinely solid. Director Gavin O’Connor knows how to stage a fight, and when things pop off, they really pop. There’s a particularly tense home invasion sequence that balances suspense and brutal efficiency. The violence is quick and grounded, no mid-air pirouettes, just methodical takedowns. If you like your action with a hint of clinical precision, this hits that spot.
But man, the plot tries way too hard. The movie piles on twists and flashbacks that are supposed to add depth, but it feels like overkill. There are way too many “aha!” moments and side characters explaining things that probably didn’t need explaining. By the third act, I found myself wishing they'd trimmed at least one subplot and let the story breathe.
Cinematography is serviceable - there's a slightly cold, clean look that matches the main character’s personality. It never dazzles, but it doesn’t distract either. The score is generic, and there are definitely moments of dead air, especially between action scenes. Pacing is uneven; sometimes exhilarating, sometimes a slog.
Overall, I appreciate that The Accountant tried to do something different with a genre that leans so heavily on formula. It’s not flawless, but you get a memorable lead performance and a couple of stand-out action scenes. Flawed but fun, kind of like a math prodigy who occasionally forgets to carry the one.
The R8 Take
The Accountant is like if Michael Mann wrote a John Wick skit for SNL - odd but sometimes electric. Worth it for Affleck’s performance and the fights, but don’t expect it to all add up.
