Let's Talk About Ben Affleck's Line Dancing in 'The Accountant 2'

After the mixed reviews of its theatrical release, I finally got around to watching The Accountant 2 on Prime Video—streaming for free, which is about what it’s worth. I agree completely with TK’s review: Some great action-violence sequences, and Jon Bernthal is always a treasure, but the film loses much of the daffiness that made the original so much fun. Affleck also really leans into a Rain Man-style portrayal of someone on the spectrum, veering close to caricature. And yet, it’s still oddly entertaining to watch Affleck’s character, essentially Sheldon Cooper with combat training, mow down human traffickers with machine guns and his fists.

There is one particularly memorable sequence, however, that does lean into the spirit of the original while also feeling borderline uncomfortable. Christian (Affleck) and his brother, Bernthal’s Braxton, decide to hit a honky tonk and get drunk. After Christian strikes out with a woman who otherwise seems interested, he sees her line dancing. He observes the group, identifies the pattern, and joins in, resulting in one of the goofiest scenes in Affleck’s career.

As goofy as it is, I also thought, “This feels kind of weird.” So I asked a friend, whose kid is on the spectrum and skilled at spotting patterns, what she thought. Her take? “Well, it’s not wrong. He probably could easily pick up on the patterns.” But she also pointed out that the scene assumes Christian wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the loud music and crowded space. And just because he can mirror the steps doesn’t mean he’s a graceful dancer, which, to be fair, the sequence makes clear. He picks up the moves, but looks like a middle-aged dad line dancing at his daughter’s Bat Mitzvah.

Then again, Bernthal’s reaction to the whole thing is both patronizing and kind of adorable. And I do love “Coppherhead Road.”