From ‘Better Call Saul’ to Assassin: Bob Odenkirk’s John Wick Journey Begins

When you think of an action hero, the name Bob Odenkirk probably doesn’t pop into your head first. Or second. Or maybe not even tenth. For years, he’s been the king of cringe comedy in Mr. Show and the delightfully sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its stellar spinoff, Better Call Saul. We know him as the guy who talks his way out of trouble, not punches his way through it.

Bob Odenkirk Dominates in Nobody

Well, think again. With the bone-crunching thriller Nobody, Odenkirk doesn’t just dip his toes into the action genre; he swan dives into it from a 50-foot ledge, and it’s glorious. This isn’t some mid-life crisis vanity project. This is a full-blown transformation that cements Bob Odenkirk as the most unexpected – and surprisingly convincing – action star of the last decade. Say what?

So, How Did Bob Odenkirk Become an Action Hero?

The premise of Nobody is deceptively simple. Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, a man so beige he blends into the wallpaper of his own suburban life. He’s stuck in a routine rut. He has a monotonous job, a passionless marriage, and also he deals with the weekly humiliation of missing the garbage truck. He’s the very definition of a “nobody.” However, when a home invasion shatters his unassuming existence, something inside him completely snaps. A long-dormant and brutally violent past comes roaring back, and Hutch unleashes a world of pain on anyone who gets in his way.

If this sounds a little familiar, it’s because the film proudly wears its influences on its blood-soaked sleeve. Nobody comes from the mind of Derek Kolstad, the creative force who penned the John Wick franchise. The DNA is undeniable: the slick, stylish violence, the hidden world of elite killers, and a protagonist who just honestly wants to be left alone but is really, really good at not being left alone.

But where John Wick is a slick, mythical ballet of bullets, Nobody is a grimy, back-alley brawl. Odenkirk’s character isn’t a God-like assassin; he’s a rusty weapon who gets hit, gets tired, and feels every single punch. And that makes him infinitely more relatable.

Odenkirk’s Commitment Makes ‘Nobody’ Unforgettable

The real magic of Nobody hinges entirely on Bob Odenkirk‘s performance, and he sells it with every fiber of his being. The man reportedly trained for two years with stuntman and actor Daniel Bernhardt to get into shape for this role, and it shows.

The fight choreography is brutal and graphic, far from the polished routine of other action films. The standout bus fight scene is the true pièce de résistance – a masterful combination of contained chaos and a desperate struggle that feels terrifyingly authentic. You see the exhaustion in Odenkirk’s eyes, the pain as he takes a hit, and the grim determination as he gets back up. It’s not just action; it’s character-driven storytelling through cinematic violence.

Director Ilya Naishuller, who previously gave us the dizzying first-person action film Hardcore Henry, proves to be the perfect collaborator. He trades the gimmickry of his debut for a taut, stylish, and dread-inducing atmosphere. The film’s dark humor lands perfectly, especially with a supporting cast that includes the legendary Christopher Lloyd having the time of his life in the explosive finale.

Is ‘Nobody’ the Start of a New Franchise for Bob Odenkirk?

With Better Call Saul having reached its conclusion, fans have been wondering what’s next for Bob Odenkirk. If Nobody is any indication, he has a bright future as an action star. The film isn’t just a fun ride; it sets a high bar for action movies in the future by proving that a compelling character and a highly committed actor are more important than any explosion or CGI spectacle.

Nobody is much more than just “John Wick with a comedian.” It’s a statement. It’s a testament to the incredible range of Bob Odenkirk – and a reminder that sometimes, the most unassuming person in the room is the one you should be most afraid of. We certainly hope there are more sequels, as there could easily be potential for another one. Give us more of Odenkirk taking out the trash – both literally and figuratively. We’ll be there on opening night.