Summary

• The Accountant, starring Ben Affleck, is a divisive film with a 52% critical score but a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Critics are conflicted about the plot and portrayal of autism, but audiences praise Affleck's performance and original concept.
• Fans of Ben Affleck and mystery thrillers will find The Accountant intriguing, especially with a sequel on the horizon in 2025.

Ben Aflleck's 2016 movie The Accountant is currently trending on Netflix despite not receiving the greatest reviews. The action-crime conspiracy thriller stars the Academy Award-winning writer/director (Good Will Hunting, Argo) as Christian Wolff, a highly intelligent freelance accountant who also happens to be a math genius. Based on the premise alone, The Accountant appears to be a compelling and unique take on the action-thriller genre. However, by the end of The Accountant, critics were largely divided about the overall impact and quality of the Gavin O'Connor (Warrior, The Way Back) film.

The Accountant features an all-star cast led by Affleck, Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Emmy nominee Jon Bernthal (The Bear), and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash). With The Accountant 2 confirmed to be directed by O'Connor and written by original screenwriter Bill Dubuque (creator of Ozark), The Accountant is a must-watch for people excited about the sequel's potential. The Accountant 2 began filming in March 2024 and is expected to be released sometime in 2025. Bernthal, Simmons, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Rings of Power) are all confirmed to reprise their roles in The Accountant sequel.

The Accountant is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

The Accountant Has A 52% Score From Critics On Rotten Tomatoes

The movie's Rotten Tomatoes audience score is 76%

Audiences generally are not as concerned about the "messy" narrative as critics are and celebrate the original and intellectual concept of The Accountant.

The Accountant has received much more praise from audiences than it did from film critics upon its initial release. The action film earned a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes while receiving just a 52% critical score upon its initial release. By comparison, The Accountant received nearly identical feedback on IMDb, with a user-generated IMDb rating of 7.3 and a Metascore of only 51 out of 100. Many viewers applauded the film for combining some of the "genius" elements from Affleck's Oscar-winning film Good Will Hunting and combining it with a bonafide action concept such as John Wick or Kingsman.

Critics of The Accountant, on the other hand, are mostly conflicted about the convoluted plot despite a great performance from Affleck. Audiences generally are not as concerned about the "messy" narrative as critics are and celebrate the original and intellectual concept of The Accountant, which is also paired effectively with heavy doses of intense thrills and action. The star of the production is undoubtedly Affleck, whose performance proves how capable he is as the lead protagonist, even in a complex and nuanced character. The Accountant, however, did draw some controversy around Affleck's portrayal of a man with autism.

The Accountant's Reviews Criticize Its Autism Portrayal & Thriller Plot, But Praise Ben Affleck's Performance

Ben Affleck shines in the main role despite a convoluted plot

Some critics were initially excited by the prospect of a sequel to The Accountant that could tie up the loose ends of the original film.

Both critics and audiences mostly agree that Affleck delivers one of the best performances of his career in The Accountant, which likely has a lot to do with the modern interest surrounding a sequel to The Accountant some 8 years after the original's release. Critic Donald Clarke of Irish Times said of The Accountant, "The dubious composition of Affleck's character leaves a foul taste in the mouth." Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times said The Accountant "is so entertaining it's hard not to wonder if Warner Bros. has a sequel in the works. Wouldn't be a bad idea."

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone expertly sums up the most pervasive criticism of The Accountant, "Affleck plays a math wiz whose position on the autism spectrum allegedly makes him a perfect assassin. That notion is offensive on so many levels, especially in the service of such low-grade crime fiction, that it's painful to watch." Outside of this glaring critique, some critics were dissatisfied with The Accountant's unfulfilled plotlines and predictable twists. On the other hand, some critics such as Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian were excited by the prospect of a sequel that could tie up the loose ends of the original film.

The Accountant Is Worth Watching For Fans Of Ben Affleck & Mystery Thriller Movies

The movie is also worth a watch ahead of The Accountant 2

Audiences have called The Accountant original and compelling, while critics are split on the film's overall impact and quality.

If the simultaneous praise and controversy surrounding Affleck's performance is not enough to pique a viewer's interest, then the announcement of The Accountant sequel should reaffirm the integrity of the film's concept. Audiences have called The Accountant original and compelling, while critics are split on the film's overall impact and quality. For those who are generally interested in action thrillers such as the Bourne movies, the Equalizer films, and the John Wick franchise, The Accountant is certainly within that wheelhouse. Fans of Affleck will also likely enjoy his performance in The Accountant and can determine any offenses or criticisms themselves.