You’ve seen the trailers, or maybe you’ve already binged the Netflix sequel and found yourself squinting at the screen, wondering why the guy playing the new antagonist looks so familiar yet so out of place in a Happy Madison production. The "Frank" everyone is talking about—specifically Frank Manatee—is the high-energy, bad-breathed CEO of Maxi Energy Drink and the mastermind behind the chaotic "Maxi Golf" league.
So, who is the man behind the mustache? That would be Benny Safdie.
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If you're a casual comedy fan, that name might not ring a bell immediately. But if you’ve followed the "Prestige TV" and indie film circuit over the last few years, you know Safdie is basically everywhere right now. Seeing him trade barbs with Adam Sandler in a movie that features Travis Kelce and a guy riding a tricycle in a dream sequence is, honestly, a bit of a trip.
Why Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee is a Big Deal
Most people know Benny Safdie as one half of the Safdie Brothers, the directorial duo behind the nerve-shredding thriller Uncut Gems. Yes, the very same movie where he directed Adam Sandler to arguably the best performance of his entire career.
It’s a fascinating full-circle moment. In Uncut Gems, Safdie was the one behind the camera pushing Sandler into a state of perpetual anxiety. In Happy Gilmore 2, the roles are flipped. Safdie is in front of the lens, playing the "new Shooter McGavin" archetype—though Frank Manatee is much more of a corporate shark than a country club snob.
Breaking Down the Character
Frank Manatee isn't just a golfer. He’s the villainous face of "modern" golf. He wants to turn the sport into a loud, stunt-filled spectacle called Maxi Golf. It’s basically the LIV Golf controversy turned up to eleven and dipped in neon energy drink marketing.
Safdie plays Frank with a frantic, slightly unhinged energy. According to various production reports and interviews (including a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show), Safdie actually stayed in character while juggling other massive projects. He was reportedly directing The Smashing Machine (the upcoming MMA biopic starring The Rock) while still sporting his Frank Manatee look. Talk about range.
The Rest of the Happy Gilmore 2 Heavy Hitters
While Frank Manatee is the primary new foil, he isn't the only person Happy has to worry about. The cast for this sequel is genuinely bloated—in a fun way.
- Christopher McDonald is back as Shooter McGavin. You can't have a sequel without the man who eats pieces of s*** for breakfast. This time, Shooter is dealing with the psychological fallout of his original loss, making him even more unpredictable.
- Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit.
- Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) shows up as Oscar Mejías, Happy’s new caddy with big dreams of his own.
- The Sandler Family: Adam’s daughters, Sunny and Sadie, and his wife Jackie all have roles. Sunny plays Happy’s daughter, Vienna, whose ballet dreams are the whole reason Happy gets back on the green.
Wait, is there another Frank?
Sometimes fans get confused with the sheer volume of names in these movies. If you're looking for "Frank" and thinking of someone from the 1996 original, you might be misremembering a minor character or mixing up your Sandler-verse names (like Frank from Big Daddy). In the world of Happy Gilmore 2, the name Frank belongs exclusively to Safdie’s corporate villain.
What This Means for the Movie's Vibe
Honestly, casting an indie darling like Safdie as the lead villain tells you everything you need to know about the sequel. It’s trying to bridge the gap between '90s nostalgia and modern filmmaking. Safdie’s performance is weird. It’s loud. It’s "kinda" gross—the character is specifically written to have terrible breath, which is a classic Sandler-esque running gag.
But it works because Safdie is a genuine fan of the original. He’s gone on record saying he didn't even know how to play golf before the movie, which is hilarious considering he’s playing a guy trying to reinvent the sport. He’s not playing it "cool"; he’s leaning into the absurdity of the Happy Madison universe.
Where You’ve Seen Him Before
If you still can’t place his face, here’s a quick refresher on Safdie’s recent hits:
- Oppenheimer: He played Edward Teller (the father of the hydrogen bomb).
- The Curse: He co-starred with Emma Stone in that deeply uncomfortable Showtime series.
- Licorice Pizza: He played the politician Joel Wachs.
Final Take: Does He Live Up to the Hype?
Replacing or even supplementing a villain as iconic as Shooter McGavin is a tall order. Most sequels fail because they try to replicate the original antagonist's "snobby" energy. By casting Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee, the movie avoids that trap. Frank is a different kind of monster—he’s the "disruptor" CEO we all love to hate.
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If you’re heading into Happy Gilmore 2 expecting a carbon copy of the first one, the chaotic energy of Frank Manatee might catch you off guard. But if you're there for the weirdness that Adam Sandler has been cultivating on Netflix for the last decade, Safdie is arguably the best part of the new ensemble.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and watch Safdie in Uncut Gems to see the incredible contrast between his dramatic work and his role as Frank. Then, keep an eye out for The Smashing Machine to see how he handles a gritty sports biopic from the director’s chair.