Set five years after the hilarious events of The Nice Guys (2016), The Nice Guys 2: Back in the Game reunites the unlikely detective duo — Holland March (Ryan Gosling), the clumsy, down-on-his-luck private investigator, and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), the tough enforcer with a heart — for another wild ride through the underbelly of Los Angeles.This time, the year is 1982. March and Healy are barely keeping their detective agency afloat when they're approached by a famous pop star whose new music video set has been mysteriously sabotaged. What begins as a simple case of vandalism soon spirals into something far darker — a conspiracy involving corrupt music industry executives, missing artists, and ties to a secretive government surveillance operation targeting creative minds.
Holland's now-teenage daughter, Holly, plays a larger role this time. Smarter and sharper than ever, she starts interning with the agency, often being the one to solve the clues while her father bumbles through scenes with his signature mix of clumsiness and charm. Meanwhile, Healy struggles with guilt over his violent past and tries to go “clean,” only to find himself dragged back into chaos thanks to Holland's ineptitude — and his own sense of justice.
The sequel leans even harder into the buddy-comedy dynamic that made the original so beloved. The chemistry between Gosling and Crowe remains electric, with razor-sharp banter, physical comedy, and surprising emotional depth. The backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles — neon lights, synth music, and rising political tensions — provides a rich aesthetic that complements the noir tone with a satirical edge.
The heart of The Nice Guys 2 lies not just in the action or mystery, but in its characters. March, still grieving the past but trying to be a better father, slowly matures (if only a little), while Healy confronts what it means to fight for something more than just money. Their friendship deepens, tested through betrayals, bullets, and a lot of bruises.The climax — a chaotic showdown at a corrupt recording studio during a fake charity concert — is both outrageous and brilliant, blending detective noir with slapstick mayhem. In the end, the villains are exposed, but not all questions are answered, leaving room for another sequel.
The Nice Guys 2 delivers exactly what fans want: smart writing, unpredictable twists, and characters you root for even when they're hilariously terrible at their jobs. It's a rare sequel that stays true to the original's charm while pushing the story — and the characters — forward in meaningful, funny, and surprisingly touching ways.
