Name: The Bad Guys 2
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Released: 2025-08-01
Rating: 7.0
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz

The sequel follows the not-so-terrible villains, who are trying to find trust and acceptance in their new roles as the 'good guys.' But their peaceful life gets interrupted when they're forced to do "one last job" by an all-female team of criminals.

The Bad Guys 2

Times of India

The Indian Express

The Bad Guys 2 bursts back onto the screen with bold visuals, quick pacing, and enough swagger to rival any action blockbuster. Directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans build confidently on the original, enhancing the kinetic energy and graphic-novel aesthetic that made the first film such a visual standout. There’s a tangible upgrade in animation detail, especially the textures, lighting, and stylised transitions that give the sequel a crisp, polished finish.
At the heart of the chaos, Sam Rockwell’s Mr. Wolf remains the charismatic anchor. He exudes cool-headed charm while wrestling with questions of identity and trust. Marc Maron’s Mr. Snake enjoys a more layered arc this time, exploring guilt, pride, and redemption in ways that balance humour with heart. Their dynamic continues to be the emotional backbone of the series.
The ensemble cast remains sharp: Craig Robinson’s lovable Shark, Anthony Ramos’ enthusiastic Piranha, and Awkwafina’s tech-savvy Tarantula all provide the comic rhythm that keeps the story lively. The introduction of Danielle Brooks as Kitty Kat injects a welcome new edge. Her role is commanding without overshadowing the main crew, creating compelling friction within the group. Maria Bakalova and Natasha Lyonne round out the rival team with fun performances, though their characters function more as stylish foils than fully fleshed-out players.
Where the film slightly stumbles is in its plot density. The narrative tries to do a lot, threading in world-building, emotional resolutions, and multiple subplots. This sometimes comes at the expense of coherence. The central mystery unfolds engagingly but occasionally loses focus amid the spectacle. Uma Thurman’s role, though intriguing, feels more like setup for a larger arc than a satisfying antagonist here. Still, what The Bad Guys 2 lacks in tight plotting it makes up for in personality. The visuals are dazzling, the humour is accessible for all ages, and Daniel Pemberton’s returning jazz-funk score adds punchy flair. It’s a vibrant, heartfelt follow-up that proves this franchise still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

A MoonX launch, a billionaire wedding, a metal that attracts gold called ‘Macguffinite’, a rocket, a space station, etc etc. As Mr Wolf (Rockwell) says in The Bad Guys 2, the trick lies “not in the action, but the distraction”. And distract, this breezy sequel to 2022’s The Bad Guys does very, very well.

Starting with Wolf, this is a bunch of ultra-smooth, ultra-likeable, ultra-witty former “bad guys” trying to be good – and finding the going tough. It’s not easy to land a job when the qualification in your resume is, say, picking a lock.

With that as the premise, and some dishy romance thrown in, The Bad Guys 2 ensures audiences across ages will be entertained. If Rockwell in his superbly tailored suits is the standout as the leader of the gang, Maron as the amorous Mr Snake, Ramos as Mr Piranha with the farting problem, Robinson as the panicky Mr Shark, and, of course, Awkwafina as Ms Tarantula with her eight legs all the better to hack with are sporting company.
When you think this DreamWorks Animation can’t do better, Brooks as Kitty Kat, the really bad snow leopard, lifts the film several notches up. As her sidekick and Mr Snake’s crush, Susan a.k.a Doom, Lyonne is a tantalising shape-shifter.
However, at all times, the paws and claws of its good-bad or bad-good guys are firmly planted on Earth. If they drink kombucha, they also love their lollipops.

Golden Globe Award winner Sam Rockwell is an American actor who appears in both films and TV shows. He made his debut with the 1989 horror film Clownhouse before starring in blockbusters like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Rockwell has also maintained his association with theater and continues to appear in plays and short films. His intense performances have won him an array of awards and nominations including the Academy and BAFTA.

Sam Rockwell

Awkwafina is an American rapper and actress who has appeared in films like  Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Dude, Storks and Ocean’s 8. She has also made TV appearances and acted in several web series.

Awkwafina

Anthony Ramos is a Puerto-Rican actor best known for films like White Girl and Monsters and Men. He has been consistently active in theater and has appeared in several TV shows like Will & Grace, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Younger.

The Bad Guys 2(2025)