Alright, Snark Syndicate! You know the drill and frankly, dear reader, if you thought your mundane office job was boring, just wait until you get a load of Lionsgate’s: Nobody.
This isn’t just another action-comedy. This is Nobody, directed by Ilya Naishuller (the guy behind Hardcore Henry, so you know what you’re getting into) and written by Derek Kolstad (yes, the architect of the John Wick universe), Nobody was always destined for a certain brand of gloriously over-the-top violence. But the genius here is casting Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell, the suburban dad who takes life’s indignities on the chin. Until he doesn’t.
What Went Down: The Plot (Or, How a Burglar Sparked a Bloodbath) 🏡💥
Hutch Mansell is living the definition of beige. Monotonous job, distant wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), eye-rolling kids. When two inept burglars break into his home, Hutch’s bizarrely passive response leaves his family disappointed and his son, Blake (Gage Munroe), utterly mortified. This incident, however, ignites a long-simmering rage in Hutch, awakening “dormant instincts” and “lethal skills” from a mysterious past.
Turns out, Hutch is no ordinary “nobody.” He was once a highly dangerous “auditor,” the kind of guy who cleaned up messes for the government with extreme prejudice. His return to form starts with a brutal, surprisingly visceral bus fight against a group of thugs, inadvertently pissing off Russian crime boss Yulian Kuznetsov (Aleksey Serebryakov), who has his own secrets (and a truly impressive array of tracksuits). What follows is a relentless, darkly comedic escalation of violence as Hutch systematically dismantles Yulian’s empire, often with the unexpected help of his retired father, David (Christopher Lloyd), and mysterious brother, Harry (RZA).
The Cinesist Take: Unexpected Badassery and Existential Dread (with more Headshots) 🧐
Nobody is a blast. It’s exactly the kind of R-rated, self-aware action film that John Wick fans crave, but with a unique, grounded (and slightly pathetic) entry point.
The Odenkirk Effect: The film’s greatest strength is Bob Odenkirk. Known for Better Call Saul‘s legal complexities and Breaking Bad‘s slimy charm, his transition to an action lead is not just surprising, it’s utterly convincing. He brings a weariness, a relatable exasperation to Hutch that makes his sudden bursts of violence even more impactful and darkly funny. You feel his suppressed rage, and when he finally snaps, it’s not just a spectacle; it’s cathartic. He trained for two years for this role, and it shows in every grimace and bone-crunching impact.
The Action Choreography: Naishuller and Kolstad deliver on the action front. The fight sequences are brutal, efficient, and beautifully choreographed. The bus fight scene is a masterclass in escalating, messy violence. It’s not graceful, it’s desperate, and that’s what makes it so effective. The film also cleverly uses slow-motion and sound design to emphasize the sheer, painful impact of each blow.
Dark Humor & Heart (Yes, Really): Despite the high body count, Nobody is genuinely funny. The humor comes from the sheer absurdity of Hutch’s situation, his dry wit, and the unexpected familial bonds that surface amidst the chaos. Christopher Lloyd and RZA are fantastic in their supporting roles, adding unexpected layers to the mayhem. The film also touches on themes of emasculation, mid-life crisis, and the desire to be seen – not as a hero, but as a force to be reckoned with.
The Minor Quibbles (Because We’re Cinesist): While immensely entertaining, the plot, much like John Wick, is fairly straightforward. It’s a vehicle for the action and character exploration, not a twisty thriller. Some might find the sheer number of faceless goons a bit repetitive, but that’s standard for the genre.
A Relatable Badass You Didn’t See Coming
Nobody is an unexpected gem. It takes a familiar premise and injects it with a fresh dose of character, gritty realism, and surprisingly relatable existential angst, all wrapped in a bloody, R-rated package. If you’re looking for a cathartic action flick with an unconventional hero and a killer soundtrack (Nina Simone, Pat Benatar, Louis Armstrong – it’s a wild mix!), then Nobody is definitely somebody worth watching. Bob Odenkirk proves that even the most unassuming individuals can hide a storm.
Survived “Nobody”? Get Ready for “Nobody 2”! (Your Sanity Might Not)
Alright, you’ve just relived the glorious, brutal, and surprisingly cathartic ride that is Hutch Mansell’s first outing. But if you thought that was all the suburban dad violence you could handle, think again. The universe, in its infinite wisdom (and likely influenced by our incessant demands), has decided that one dose of Bob Odenkirk’s particular brand of wrath wasn’t enough.
Yes, “Nobody 2” is officially on its way! We know, we know. More bus fights? More kitty cat bracelets? More of Christopher Lloyd being an absolute national treasure? We’re both terrified and ridiculously excited. We’ve already put our eyeballs through the wringer dissecting every frame of the new trailer.
So, when you’re done basking in the glory of the original, dive headfirst into what’s next. Get the full, unfiltered, and probably slightly unhinged breakdown of everything we’ve seen so far in our Nobody 2 Trailer Breakdown. You’ve been warned. And encouraged. Mostly encouraged. 🤕🎬
So, Are You A Nobody? (Or Just Trying to Be?)
Alright, Cinesist Crew! You’ve read our take on “Nobody,” and hopefully, you’re now convinced that suburban dads are far more dangerous than previously imagined. Did Hutch Mansell awaken your inner badass? Are you now eyeing your own mundane household items with new, violent purpose?
Sound off in the comments below! Tell us your favorite brutal moment, your biggest laugh, or just whether you’re ready for “Nobody 2.” And if you still think this movie is just about a lost kitty cat bracelet, well, we’ll have to send Hutch to your house. 👇😼🔪
