A Stylish, Energetic, and Surprisingly Deep Heist Sequel
DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2, released August 1, 2025, is a visually striking follow-up to the 2022 animated heist comedy.
Directed by Pierre Perifel and co-directed by JP Sans, with a screenplay by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen, this sequel thrusts our reformed animal outlaws back into crime, testing their commitment to goodness.
While maintaining the original’s charm and kinetic energy, it ambitiously explores deeper themes, resulting in a thrilling caper with thoughtful commentary on identity and societal acceptance.
Plot: One Last Job?
The film follows Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell), Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) as they struggle to integrate into respectable society.
Snake, in particular, drifts, sparking a poignant exploration of his identity.
Inspired by Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) to earn public trust, Wolf assists Commissioner Luggins (Alex Borstein) in hunting the elusive “Phantom Bandit.”
The investigation takes a turn when the group is framed for the Phantom’s heists and is subsequently kidnapped by an all-female crew: Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), Pigtail (Maria Bakalova), and Doom (Natasha Lyonne).
Kitty, a cunning snow leopard, blackmails them with Diane’s past as the “Crimson Paw,” forcing the Bad Guys into “one last job”—stealing the experimental MOON-X rocket along with its MacGuffinite-powered magnet, capable of stealing the world’s gold.
The plot escalates into a globe-trotting, space-faring heist filled with twists and double-crosses.
The Bad Guys must navigate issues of loyalty and redemption while dealing with the Bad Girls’ schemes and working to clear their names.
Although the narrative can sometimes be dense, it effectively balances humor with high stakes.
Visuals and Action: A Stylistic Leap
The Bad Guys 2 excels in both animation and action.
Building on the original’s graphic-novel aesthetic, the sequel boasts upgraded details in textures, lighting, and transitions.
The chase sequences, enhanced by cartoonish exaggeration, feel larger and more exhilarating, highlighted by a stadium crowd pursuit that cleverly blends comedy and tension.
The space-bound climax provides stunning backdrops for chaos, showcasing Perifel and Sans’s mastery of animation-driven humor and suspense.
Themes and Character Arcs: Beyond the Gags
Beneath its slick surface, the sequel explores mature themes, including the struggles of ex-cons rebuilding their lives and achieving societal acceptance, touching on recidivism and how past mistakes shape futures.
While some critics felt that the serious messages occasionally faltered amidst the silliness, others appreciated the depth of the story.
The returning voice cast delivers exceptional performances.
Rockwell’s Wolf anchors the film with newfound insecurity and earnestness, while Maron’s Snake navigates feelings of guilt and pride with nuance.
Brooks commands attention as Kitty Kat, a formidable foil, and Lyonne and Bakalova add flair as her cohorts.
The blossoming romance between Wolf and Diane adds heartfelt resonance to the narrative.
Reception and Box Office: A Solid Performer
The Bad Guys 2 received positive reviews, earning an 86% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64 on Metacritic, with praise for its humor, animation, and voice work, often deemed superior to the original.
Critics highlighted its playful mischief despite higher stakes.
The film debuted to $44.5 million worldwide ($22.2 million domestic and $16.3 million international).
Although its domestic opening trailed that of the first film, it outperformed The Naked Gun (2025).
With a modest budget for an animated feature, it is expected to be profitable and thrive on streaming platforms, solidifying the franchise’s future.
Conclusion: A Criminally Good Time
The Bad Guys 2 is a vibrant and entertaining sequel that effectively builds on its predecessor.
It delivers more action, laughs, and stylish heists in a visually stunning package.
While the thematic depth occasionally yields to gags and plot complexity, strong character development, excellent voice acting, and kinetic animation make it an enjoyable experience.
DreamWorks still has plenty of tricks, offering a great time for audiences of all ages.
