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Neil Chase

“There, I Fixed It!” - What Nobody 2 Can Teach Us About Story

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader,

You ever watch a movie and think… “This should have worked. The pieces were all there. So what went wrong?”

That’s exactly what happened to me at the tail end of my winter holidays.

I finally had a free evening to do something I rarely get to do during the year: absolutely nothing.

Well… almost nothing.

After a steady diet of holiday movies with the kids and way too much stuffing, I decided it was time for something a little different. So I fired up a movie I’d been meaning to watch since it came out: Nobody 2, the sequel to the 2021 Bob Odenkirk action-thriller Nobody.

I loved the first one - the tone, the character, the sharp action grounded in emotional stakes and offbeat premise. It hit that perfect balance between gritty, heartfelt, and funny. So naturally, I was excited to see where the sequel took Hutch and his family.

I don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen it yet, but I felt there were some great storytelling takeaways in this movie. And that's why I decided to kick off a new YouTube series called:

🎬 "There, I Fixed It!" - where I break down movies that almost worked… and show you how I’d rewrite them to make them stronger. From character arcs and plot logic to dialogue and villain structure - we go deep, but in a fun, story-first way.

Part review, part rewrite, part creative exercise - and totally useful for anyone writing action, thrillers, or character-driven drama.

What I Liked (and What Surprised Me):​
Overall, the sequel had a solid start. Hutch is still working as an assassin, trying to clear the debt he owes after the events of the first film. He’s tired and disconnected from his family. So he plans a trip to a small town amusement park from his childhood - hoping it will be the place where he can finally reconnect with his wife and kids.

Great setup, right? It’s emotional. It’s human. And it taps into the core of what made the first movie great: Hutch wants to protect his family, but he’s not sure how to stop fighting.

The cinematography, the score, and the early action scenes are solid. But…

The story hits some stumbling blocks. Characters make baffling decisions. The stakes stop making sense. A brand new villain is introduced halfway through, which undercuts the two antagonists we already had. And worst of all… Hutch and his family could leave at any time - but they stay. For no good reason.

I won’t spoil everything here - but it got me to thinking about:

  • Why character decisions matter more than plot convenience
  • How weak villains can sink your story (and how to fix that)
  • Missed emotional arcs and logic holes
  • What this movie does get right - and why it works
  • How to turn messy sequels into meaningful ones

So whether you’re a screenwriter, novelist, filmmaker, or just love story talk - there’s something in here for you.

📺 Watch it here: "There, I Fixed It! (Nobody 2)"
(And be sure to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments!)

🎁 Want to fix your own story next?

Try my one-hour coaching call. You bring the pages, questions, or even just an idea. I’ll help you find what’s working, what’s missing - and how to move forward with confidence.

🗓️ Book Your Session today!​

Stay creative!

Neil

video preview​

P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for in-depth help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.

Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.

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Neil Chase

Filmmaker, Writer and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is a story and writing coach, award-winning screenwriter, actor, and author of the horror-western novel, Iron Dogs. Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, join the email list for writing tips and inspiration!

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