Nobody

Nobody (2021)

Directed by Ilya Naishuller

Written by Derek Kolstad

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebraykov, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, RZA

A bystander is pulled into a violent series of events when he steps in to save an innocent young woman from members of a dangerous gang.

This film is the latest wild ride from screenwriter Derek Kolstad (John Wick). This film was directed by Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry). Bob Odenkirk (The Post) stars in the film alongside Aleksey Serebrayov (Leviathan), Connie Nielsen (Gladiator), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), and RZA (American Gangster).

The easy comparison for this movie is John Wick, but that’s not really accurate or fair to the story. Derek Kolstad did a great job branching out from his John Wick success with an movie that has a lot of action, but an entirely different emotional thread running through it. The story does a really good job setting up the painfully suburban life that Hutch (Odenkirk) is living, before pulling the rug out from underneath him. This contrast pays off as the film escalates into a whirlwind of violence and fun. The film does seem to begin with a bit of a false start, but once the central story begins this is easily forgiven. Also, this one doesn’t quite develop the characters well enough to leave you hoping for more.

The actors do a great job bringing this one to life. Fans of Bob Odenkirk have seen him go from Mr. Show to Better Call Saul, but the leap from there to Nobody is a big one. His performance has a lot of typical Odenkirk moments built in around huge action set pieces and violence galore. He does a great job with both sides of his role, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. This film adds to the fun by pairing Odenkirk with Christopher Lloyd. The moments they share are a lot of fun, and Lloyd brings out the best of his character. Aleksey Serebrayov was a great pick for the antagonist of the story. Once you accept the cliches his character are built around, it’s fun to see him in action. Connie Neilsen and RZA also add solid performances with key roles in the film. The rest of the cast, stuntmen included, do a great job bringing this to life.

The production work on this film hits all the right notes. The cinematography, production design, and costuming all give this one the visual flair it needs. The film also has great visual effects and practical effects that keep the intensity levels high at all the right moments. The film has great sound work and a soundtrack that accents the film nicely. The editing is great in the action sequences, but there is a tendency for things to bog down in the quiet moments. This one does a good job living up to the expectations set by similar movies.

This is a fun movie with a ton of violence that is creative and brutal. Fans of action should make sure to check it out. I would also suggest this one to fans of the stars. This one does have some slower moments, where the story tends to lose focus, but it’s not fatal. Remember, it’s a movie for adults, with strong language and a lot of bleeding. I give this one 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: R

Running Time: 92 Minutes