Nobody

By: Jamie Steinberg

Try to imagine Saul Goodman from “Better Call Saul” as an action here. Director Ilya Naishuller’s film Nobody is actually a mix of Taken and John Wick with Odenkirk’s signature sense of humor. Viewers will be satisfied with the action and adventure it provides and enjoy the drama it delivers.

We meet a bruised and battered main character Hutch Mansell as he enters an interrogation room. She’s actually in possession of a few items that most people wouldn’t be able to get away with walking into a police station. When a detective approaches Mansell he asks his name. The response? “Nobody.”

Thus, begins a flashback to what Hutch’s daily life is like as a suburbanite who spends each morning at a desk starring at a spreadsheet. He’s just an average guy whose own wife (Connie Nielsen) barely acknowledges his presence. When burglars break into the Mansell’s home they are miffed to learn they are only snagging a few bucks for their troubles. Hutch stumbles upon the robbery only to pick peace over raging at the thieves – much to the chagrin of his wife and son. We later see Hutch chatting with a (imaginary) friend (RZA) where he explains that he chose not to lash out because why would some schlub have any idea how to tell there were no bullets in the intruder’s gun? Could he be trained by some secret government force?

Well, yeah. That’s exactly where you’d begin to have your mind blown. It seems that Hutch has a moment of realization that upon their taking his daughter’s kitty-cat bracelet he must actually take some action against the bad guys. Unfortunately, this is the only hint at Hutch’s past, so the door is open for prequels and sequels to come that would explore that past aspect of his life.

Naishuller does a great job of getting the goods from Odenkirk. The action scenes truly shine as well. For example, the bus sequence is a standout and intensity it highlights will keep viewers on the edge of their seat.

Fans of Odenkirk will surely snag a spot on the couch to watch Nobody, but I promise that you’ll thoroughly enjoy the ride. And, if you weren’t familiar with his work before, Odenkirk won’t be a nobody to you any longer.