The Accountant (2016)

The Accountant (2016) is a crime thriller film directed by Gavin O’Connor and stars Ben Affleck in the lead role. The film combines elements of action, drama, and suspense, providing a unique and compelling story.
Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a highly skilled accountant with high-functioning autism who leads a double life. By day, he works as a freelance accountant for various criminal organizations, using his exceptional mathematical skills to “uncook” the books. By night, he is a highly trained fighter with a mysterious past, having been trained in martial arts and weapons by his military father.

The plot thickens when Christian is hired by a legitimate robotics company to look into a discrepancy in their financial records. As he uncovers a massive embezzlement scheme, he becomes the target of assassins and a relentless Treasury Department agent named Ray King (J.K. Simmons). Christian must use his skills to protect himself and unravel the conspiracy, while also grappling with his own personal demons and his troubled past.

The film features strong supporting performances from Anna Kendrick, who plays Dana Cummings, a junior accountant who helps Christian with the audit, and Jon Bernthal, who plays a mysterious hitman with a connection to Christian’s past. The cast also includes John Lithgow, Jeffrey Tambor, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson.

The Accountant is praised for its unique protagonist, combining a deep character study with intense action sequences. Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Christian Wolff is nuanced and compelling, highlighting the character’s complexities and vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of identity, morality, and the duality of human nature, making it a thought-provoking and entertaining thriller.