Red Notice 2 (2025): A High-Octane Heist Sequel That Doubles the Chaos and Charm
Red Notice 2, the long-awaited sequel to Netflix’s 2021 blockbuster action-comedy, returns with even more explosions, globe-trotting, and witty banter. Directed once again by Rawson Marshall Thurber, the sequel reunites Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot in a thrilling new adventure that raises the stakes—and the budget—while embracing the over-the-top tone that made the original a hit.
The film picks up shortly after the events of the first movie. The unlikely trio—FBI agent-turned-thief John Hartley (Johnson), master conman Nolan Booth (Reynolds), and elusive art thief The Bishop (Gadot)—are now uneasy partners, running their own international heist operation from a luxurious hideout in the French Riviera. But their fragile alliance is tested when a new player enters the game: a mysterious billionaire collector known only as “The Phantom”, played with icy charisma by Pedro Pascal.
The Phantom challenges the trio to pull off the impossible: steal the Crown of Alexander, an artifact hidden deep inside a fortified black site beneath Vatican City. The heist triggers a globe-spanning chase from Rome to Tokyo, Istanbul to Marrakesh, with Interpol and rival criminals hot on their trail. Along the way, double-crosses, secret agendas, and old grudges threaten to tear the team apart.
Red Notice 2 leans heavily into the elements fans loved from the first film—slick action sequences, exotic locations, and sharp comedic timing. Reynolds once again delivers rapid-fire sarcasm, while Johnson’s straight-man routine continues to ground the chaos. Gadot’s Bishop is more prominent this time, serving as both mastermind and emotional anchor as she reveals more about her mysterious past.
The chemistry between the three leads remains electric, and the film smartly plays off their conflicting personalities—Booth’s impulsiveness, Hartley’s reluctant morality, and Bishop’s icy precision. Their shifting alliances keep the audience guessing right up until the explosive third act, where the lines between hero and villain blur entirely.
Action-wise, Red Notice 2 goes bigger and bolder. Highlights include a daring high-speed train heist in the Alps, a zero-gravity fight scene aboard a space tourism shuttle, and a museum break-in involving synchronized diversions across three countries. The practical stunts, paired with slick CGI, make for eye-popping set pieces that rival any summer blockbuster.
Composer Steve Jablonsky returns with a dynamic score that blends spy-movie strings with upbeat electronic beats, matching the film’s fast-paced energy.
While Red Notice 2 doesn’t delve deeply into character development, it doesn’t need to. This is pure popcorn entertainment—a stylish, smart, and self-aware thrill ride that knows exactly what it is. The final scene teases a third installment, suggesting the trio may not stay partners forever.
Verdict: Red Notice 2 is everything a sequel should be: louder, funnier, and more extravagant. With its star power, fast-paced action, and globe-trotting adventure, it’s a worthy successor that delivers non-stop entertainment and leaves fans eager for more.