Let’s be real for a second. If you walked into a theater in 2021 expecting a profound cinematic meditation on the human condition while watching The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, you were probably in the wrong room. Or maybe you just forgot what the first movie was like. The sequel to the 2017 surprise hit The Hitman's Bodyguard didn't try to reinvent the wheel. It just put nitrous on it and drove it off a cliff while Samuel L. Jackson screamed something unprintable.
It’s a weird movie. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle it even exists considering how much the "mid-budget action comedy" has been dying a slow death at the box office. But people watched it. They watched it in droves on streaming, even if the critics weren't exactly lining up to give it five stars. There's something about the specific chemistry between Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek Pinault that works despite the script’s best efforts to be as ridiculous as possible.
What Actually Happens in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard?
The plot picks up with Michael Bryce (Reynolds) being a total mess. He’s lost his license. He’s in therapy. He’s trying to do a "soul sabbatical" where he doesn't use guns or even think about protection. Naturally, that lasts about four minutes. Sonia Kincaid (Hayek) shows up, shoots a bunch of people, and drags him into a mission to save her husband, Darius (Jackson).
It isn't just a rescue mission, though. The scale gets way bigger than the first film. They end up tangled in a plot involving a Greek tycoon named Aristotle Papadopolous—played by Antonio Banderas with an amount of zest that is frankly impressive—who wants to destroy Europe's power grid because of sanctions against Greece. It’s a classic "MacGuffin" plot. The stakes are high, but they feel low because you’re mostly just waiting for the next time Salma Hayek swears in Spanish.
The Hayek Factor
Salma Hayek is the heartbeat of this movie. In the first film, she was a scene-stealer with limited screen time. In The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, she is the lead. It's a smart pivot. Her portrayal of Sonia Kincaid is pure, unadulterated id. She is violent, romantic, impulsive, and fiercely protective.
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There's a specific energy she brings that balances Reynolds' neuroticism. While Reynolds is doing his usual "fast-talking guy who is over his head" shtick, Hayek is playing a live wire. It’s a fascinating contrast. Most sequels fail because they just repeat the first movie’s beats. This one shifted the focus to the most interesting character from the original.
Production Realities and the 2021 Box Office
We have to talk about the timing. This movie dropped in June 2021. The world was barely starting to peek its head out from the pandemic. Theaters were struggling. Despite that, it opened at number one in the U.S.
- Production Budget: Estimated around $70 million.
- Box Office: It pulled in roughly $70.1 million worldwide.
- Director: Patrick Hughes returned to helm the sequel, keeping the visual style consistent with the first.
On paper, those numbers look "meh." But when you factor in the massive success it had on VOD and streaming platforms, the math changes. It’s one of those "comfort food" movies. You don't need to pay 100% attention to enjoy a scene where Ryan Reynolds gets hit by a car for the third time.
The Critics vs. The Fans
The Rotten Tomatoes score for The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard is a classic "mismatch." Critics gave it a 26%. Audiences gave it a 76%. Why the gap?
Critics generally hate "more of the same." They found the humor repetitive and the action too frenetic. But for an audience that just wanted to see three A-listers have a blast in Italy and Croatia, it delivered exactly what was on the tin. The movie knows it’s a B-movie with an A-list budget. It leans into the "triple A" chemistry. If you like seeing Ryan Reynolds play the straight man to two absolute lunatics, you’re going to have a good time. If you want The Godfather, look elsewhere.
Surprising Cameos and Cast Depth
One thing people forget is how stacked this cast is.
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- Morgan Freeman: He shows up as Michael Bryce’s stepfather. It is as bizarre as it sounds.
- Frank Grillo: Playing a frustrated Interpol agent who spends most of the movie wanting to shoot the main trio.
- Richard E. Grant: Returning briefly as the drug-addicted Mr. Seifert.
Seeing Morgan Freeman in a movie this vulgar is a trip. It adds a layer of surrealism that the first movie lacked. It’s almost like the film is aware of how over-the-top it is, and casting "The Voice of God" as a legendary bodyguard is the ultimate meta-joke.
The Action Choreography
Patrick Hughes has a background in action, and it shows. While the CGI can be a little "crunchy" in certain explosions, the physical stunts are solid. There’s a boat chase in the Adriatic that is genuinely well-shot.
What makes the action work in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard isn't the scale—it’s the comedy integrated into it. Bryce’s insistence on using non-lethal methods while Kincaid is literally liquefying people with a Gatling gun provides a rhythmic back-and-forth that keeps the pacing tight. It’s slapstick violence. Think Looney Tunes, but with more blood and a much higher insurance premium.
Why It Still Matters in the Streaming Era
Movies like this are becoming rare. Major studios are either making $200 million superhero epics or $5 million indie dramas. The $70 million action-comedy is a vanishing species. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard represents a bridge. It proves there is still a market for star-driven vehicles that don't rely on a pre-existing comic book IP (even though it is a sequel).
It also highlights the power of the "Ensemble Chemistry" factor. You can't fake the rapport between Jackson and Reynolds. It feels like they actually enjoy being around each other, or at least they enjoy the paycheck enough to make it look convincing. That translates to the viewer. It feels like a party you’re invited to, even if the party is a bit messy and someone breaks a lamp.
The Location Scouting
Filming took place across Europe, primarily in Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. The scenery is gorgeous. In a weird way, the movie functions as a travel ad. You’ve got the cobblestone streets of Trieste and the stunning coastline of Rovinj.
The production value is high. They didn't just stay on a soundstage in Atlanta. They went to these places. That groundedness helps balance the absolute insanity of the plot. When a car flips over in a real European plaza, it feels "heavier" than when it happens in a digital void.
Key Takeaways for Viewers
If you're planning a rewatch or seeing it for the first time, keep a few things in mind. First, ignore the plot logic. Don't try to track how the "virus" or "data breach" actually works. It doesn't matter.
Second, watch for the smaller gags. Ryan Reynolds’ facial expressions when he’s being ignored by the Kincaids are often funnier than the actual dialogue. Third, appreciate the wardrobe. The costume design for Salma Hayek is vibrant and intentionally loud, matching her character’s personality perfectly.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of the Hitman's Bodyguard franchise, you should approach it with a specific strategy:
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- Watch in Order: Do not skip the 2017 original. The payoff for the "Triple A" bodyguard joke only works if you've seen Bryce's fall from grace in the first film.
- Check the Deleted Scenes: There’s a lot of improvised riffing between Reynolds and Jackson that didn't make the theatrical cut but is available on the Blu-ray and digital extras. It's often funnier than the scripted lines.
- Look for the Stunt Doubles: If you're a film nerd, try to spot the transitions between the actors and the stunt performers during the bike chase in Italy. It’s a masterclass in editing.
- Pair it with Similar Vibes: If you finish this and want more, look into The Nice Guys or Bullet Train. They inhabit that same "high-octane comedy" space that focuses on character banter over gritty realism.
The film is currently available on various streaming platforms like Peacock and can be rented on Amazon or Apple TV. It’s the perfect "Friday night with a pizza" movie. Just turn your brain down to about 20% power and enjoy the ride.