For most of his early career, Bob Odenkirk was known as a comedy guy. He started out writing for Saturday Night Live before acting in shows like The Ben Stiller Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Arrested Development. Like many people, I fell in love with Odenkirk’s work when I saw him in Breaking Bad. Even his role in the crime drama series was comedic, although he became more serious in the spin-off Better Call Saul.
Given Odenkirk’s make-you-laugh history, I was a bit skeptical when he was cast in Nobody, a John Wick-esque action thriller. Could he really pull it off? Shouldn’t they have given Scott Adkins or Frank Grillo a chance? I’m certain that I wasn’t the only one who had doubts, yet Odenkirk did such a great job that a sequel was made. And a third film — and maybe a fourth — may follow. The actor recently revealed that he has great ideas for future sequels. At the moment, this is arguably the best action series of the last 10 years. But what makes it so great?
Nobody Can Mess With Odenkirk’s Character in ‘Nobody’
While the Nobody film series is heartbreaking at times, it’s mostly a fun portrait of a badass masquerading as an Average Joe. In the first installment, Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), a suburban husband caught up in a mundane existence, surprises his family when he refuses to defend them during a break-in. It turns out he is hiding something. When a gang tries to attack a woman later on a bus, he easily injures them, earning a new enemy in the form of a Russian mob boss. In Part 2, Hutch goes on vacation in a sleepy tourist town. When local bullies cross him and his daughter, he is pulled into a feud with a corrupt sheriff.
The entire saga is interconnected and beautiful to watch. It’s also the first project in which screenwriter Derek Kolstad (better known for creating the John Wick franchise) makes his most virulent attack on crime in contemporary society. You can’t help but hate the bad guys, but the hero makes you feel better. Whenever Hutch’s fury subsides and his universe slowly opens up again, we see a glimpse of the old Odenkirk we’ve always known. But just as you are getting accustomed to that, he shows how good he is at navigating the intrigues and mindless hostilities endemic to his current environment.
Directors Ilya Naishuller and Timo Tjahjanto are excellent too, using camera and sound techniques to weave together an aural and visual montage of Hutch’s misfortunes. Even though he is a one-man-army action hero, he isn’t immune to common human sadness. Every few minutes, audiences witness both his unrivaled fighting talent and his unspeakable pain. Our hero rarely finds succor and relief. The cruel arm of fate keeps clutching harder, keeping him in a form of indentured servitude to criminal figures he thought he would never encounter again. And with retro-style cinematography for Part 2, the series gets better and better.
How ‘Nobody’ Beats Other Action Series of the Last 10 Years
Action fans have had little to complain about over the past 10 years, as there have been dozens of great movies, from Sisu to the labyrinthine John Wick franchise. However, Nobody knocks them all out because of the movie’s approach. First, Hutch never stops looking like an everyday man. He isn’t chiseled like ‘90s action heroes. Nor does he fight from morning to evening without getting tired. When he’s forced into these confrontations, he’s simply a man defending himself, as many would. Most importantly, he struggles and messes up sometimes.
Beyond that, Nobody is an easier franchise for a newcomer to sink into. John Wick has layers of lore, and so do many other recent action film franchises. There’s no franchise bloat here. Just suburban madness, a midlife crisis, and a few bad guys. Both movies feel like the first John Wick installment, with lower stakes and quicker resolutions. That is what casual genre fans prefer.
When I watched the latest Sisu movie, I was amazed at the hero’s endurance. As impressive as it was, it also felt unrealistic. How could an old man survive that much punishment? Sure, the entertainment value of such movies is unmatched, but audiences in 2026 prefer to watch movies that hit closer to home. Even John Wick doesn’t achieve that… and all the blame lies in the complicated High Table saga. Hopefully, Chapter 5 features a leaner plot like the 2014 movie. It’s the only way to go now.
Meanwhile, check out the two Nobody movies if you haven’t. You’ll come away with even more respect for Bob Odenkirk.
