SXSW 2025: First Reactions to Ben Affleck’s THE ACCOUNTANT 2

Courtesy Amazon MGM Studios

The SXSW Festival is underway in Austin, Texas, and reactions to some of the high-profile world premieres are starting to arrive.

THE ACCOUNTANT 2, which stars Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, and J. K. Simmons, is directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque. It is a sequel to O’Connor’s 2016 film The Accountant.

In the film, when an old acquaintance is murdered, Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax, to help. In partnership with Marybeth Medina, they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

Amazon MGM Studios will release the film in US theaters on April 25th, 2025. You can find the release date on our in theaters calendar.

Here are the first reactions out of SXSW:

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'The Accountant 2' Review: Ben Affleck's Autistic Action Savant Makes a Winning Return in a Thriller That Improves on the First Film's Messiness https://t.co/8E0yStRmLv

— Variety (@Variety) March 9, 2025

'The Accountant 2' Review: Ben Affleck Has Brotherly Reunion With Jon Bernthal In Long-Awaited Sequel — SXSW https://t.co/lXieJl8dk0

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 9, 2025

'The Accountant 2' Review: Chemistry Between Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal Carries an Entertaining but Convoluted Sequel https://t.co/XgQRs0gyIb

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 9, 2025

I throughly enjoyed The Accountant 2. It is entertaining, action packed, and has plenty of humor and heart. Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are so damn good together. I do hope this one gets a theatrical release because it played well with a crowd. If you enjoyed the first one, you… pic.twitter.com/klrMuJaKss

— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) March 9, 2025

'The Accountant 2' #SXSW review: Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are back with a winning formula. By @timgrierson https://t.co/gSTuZ6o4cW

— Screen International (@Screendaily) March 9, 2025

The Accountant 2 Review: Ben Affleck's Sequel Is Better In Every Way [SXSW]

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— SlashFilm (@slashfilm.bsky.social) March 9, 2025 at 8:44 AM

Well, count me surprised. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 is a better film than the first in nearly every regard. It leans heavily on Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal’s charming chemistry making this more of a buddy comedy than an action film. Of course, when the action hits, it hits hard and with… pic.twitter.com/Rx9VICKywx

— Matt Neglia @SXSW (@NextBestPicture) March 9, 2025

The accountant 2 trades in the crime drama for a brother road trip I didn’t know I needed! The stakes are higher, there’s more comedy, and the last 30 mins gave me my favorite action sequence of the year! Ben and Jon have incredible chemistry and I need a million more of these!… pic.twitter.com/SgUYpmv5hI

— Accordingtoseth @SXSW (@according2seth) March 9, 2025

The Accountant 2: The speed-dating, line-dancing, dudes rock surprise of the fest. Hope they make 20 more of these. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/woHOYRnolf

— Jeff Zhang 张佶润 (@strangeharbors) March 9, 2025

#TheAccountant2 cranks up the fun while scaling back the actual accounting.

This time the story is more focused, the 3rd act pays off bigger & cast chemistry elevates everything.

Each movie has strengths over the other. I could see many liking 2 more due to Bernthal/Affleck. pic.twitter.com/WVyn9F7HgN

— Sean Chandler @ SXSW (@kirkneverdied) March 9, 2025

I have to say that #TheAccountant2 was the best crowd experience at the festival! Everyone was laughing, applauding and cheering! A great action thriller that delivers a proper sequel years later. Ben and Jon are the perfect duo! A must see with a crowd! Completely entertained! pic.twitter.com/CGpNQvrQBJ

— Frederick Nuti @ SXSW (@FrederickNuti) March 9, 2025

Gavin O’Connor’s #TheAccountant2 wisely ups the humor, pairing Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal for a buddy action-thriller that expands the story and generally has more fun than its predecessor.

I could watch 10 ACCOUNTANT movies - they just go down smooth, like an ice cold beer.… pic.twitter.com/9SwQ8U7lMv

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 9, 2025