Hey there! If you haven’t seen “The Accountant” starring Ben Affleck yet, you’re in luck – it’s now on Netflix! Directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque, the movie features Affleck as a kind of superhero who happens to have autism. It got people talking in the autism community, with some liking how it was portrayed and others not so much. Despite the controversy, the movie did really well in theaters and became popular on platforms like Apple TV+. Now, there’s even a sequel in the works at Amazon Studios, with many of the original cast members returning.
So, if you’re planning to watch “The Accountant” on Netflix and wondering what it’s all about, don’t worry! Decider has got you covered with a breakdown of the plot and a look into the ending. Ready for the ride? Let’s dive in!
What’s ‘The Accountant’ About? A Simple Plot Summary
Let me introduce you to Christian Wolff, played by Ben Affleck. He’s not your ordinary accountant – he deals with some pretty shady clients. Flashbacks give us a glimpse into Christian’s past: he’s autistic, which means everyday things like light, noise, and touch can be overwhelming for him. His childhood wasn’t easy either, with a tough dad who believed in tough love, even for Christian’s autism.
Now, as an adult, Christian’s checking the books at Living Robotics, a company known for its fancy robotic limbs. He partners up with Dana Cummings, played by Anna Kendrick, who works there as an accountant. They uncover a big problem: someone’s swiped a massive $60 million from the company. Christian spills the beans to Rita, the CEO’s sister, but he plays dumb about who’s behind it.
But then things get even darker when a mysterious hitman shows up and takes out Living Robotics’ CFO. Looks like they’re dealing with more than just a simple thief.
The next day at work, Living Robotics CEO Lamar Blackburn erases all of Christian’s hard work (talk about rude!) and kicks him out. Later, Christian gets attacked by hitmen who are targeting Dana next. In any case, she’s been only kind to him! They bond over their shared love of art, and Christian takes her to his safe place in a mobile trailer filled with valuable artwork, including a Jackson Pollack painting. We find out that Christian’s mysterious British helper, who talks through a voice simulator, helps him get these artworks as payment for his services.
After Rita’s murder, Christian suspects CEO Lamar Blackburn is the real thief. Blackburn hired Christian hoping he wouldn’t find the bookkeeping error, which would allow him to go public with the company. But Christian uncovered the theft, so Blackburn’s trying to tie up loose ends by killing everyone who knows about it – including Christian and Dana.
Meanwhile, Treasury Director Ray King assigns agent Marybeth Medina the task of uncovering the identity of a mysterious accountant who’s been involved in various criminal cases. Surprise, surprise – it’s Christian. King knows him and even accepts tips from him as an FBI informant. He wants Medina to keep getting tips from Christian after he retires.
There’s a whole tangled backstory involving how Christian saved King’s life once and became friends with another FBI informant in prison. King feels guilty about not protecting that informant, so now he’s looking out for Christian. Also, Christian ended up in prison because he and his father got into a fight at their mother’s funeral, and his father died trying to protect him. It’s a messy situation!
The Accountant: Making Sense of the Ending
In the movie’s final scenes, we’re back at Harbor Neuroscience, the special facility for kids with autism where young Christian Wolff started his journey. We learn that the mysterious “guy in a chair” who helps Christian is actually the autistic daughter of the facility’s owner. Even though she can’t speak, she communicates using a computer and a voice simulator.
Meanwhile, Agent Medina steps into King’s shoes and addresses the press about the Living Robotics fraud case investigation. Turns out, she decided to keep taking tips from Christian Wolff after all!
What’s the significance of the painting in the ending of “The Accountant”?
In the movie’s last scene, Dana gets a surprise delivery: a painting of “Dogs Playing Poker,” a piece she and Christian had talked about. But there’s a twist – inside that painting is the original Jackson Pollock that Dana admired in Christian’s trailer. It’s not just valuable, it’s meaningful to Christian. Giving it to Dana shows he cares a lot about her. How sweet!
As for Christian, he drives off in his mobile home, leaving us wondering what’s next. Guess we’ll have to wait for “The Accountant 2” to find out!
