Bob Odenkirk stars as a mysterious outsider who becomes the temporary sheriff of a small town, only to uncover a deep-seated local conspiracy. Our JP reviews “Normal.”
Normal (2025 film)
Magnolia Pictures
- Directed by Ben Wheatley
- Screenplay by Derek Kolstad
- Story by Derek Kolstad, Bob Odenkirk
- Produced by Marc Provissiero, Bob Odenkirk, Derek Kolstad
Starring Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey
Studio Synopsis:
The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.
J.P.’s Take:
When we think of action heroes of old, we think of actors such as Jean-Claude Van Damme, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester “Sly” Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and even Bruce Willis … and the list goes on. And we all know why they’re the staples of the action movie genre: their chiseled, fit, muscular good looks and tough-guy acting chops.
The sleeper action flick “Normal” aims to reshape traditional elements of these archetypes with a more brainy and clever approach. In the seemingly peaceful little town of Normal, Minnesota, where everything appears idyllic and safe, we learn that there is something sinister lurking in the background.
This is the type of action flick that relies on the ingenuity of those trying to survive, rather than the conventional head-to-head combat tropes. When the town of Normal comes under siege, an unlikely hero emerges with a past that feels more mysterious than his presence. Sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) is temporarily reassigned to the dusky, snowy town as its acting chief, while he slowly begins to uncover the truth behind some suspicious items at the bank and why the officers he’s partnered with want to take him out. As soon as he starts mingling with the quirky townsfolk in his usual friendly way, things take a turn for the dire. That’s where the fun begins.
In the 90 minutes we have to collect our thoughts on the matter, we’re given a raucous, chucklesome presentation in the meantime. The movie kicks off in Japan, where three Yakuza lackeys return with their tales between their legs after having botched an assignment. Their boss gives them a second chance to redeem themselves, except two of the henchmen back out of the next assignment by way of Yubitsume, the traditional form of self-punishment by amputating one’s own pinky finger.
When we flash forward to Sheriff Ulysses’ moments in town, the unexpected twists challenge our assumptions of the town’s true intentions. When it is revealed, Ulysses finds himself in a tight spot and must join forces with some unexpected companions to quickly devise a battle strategy aimed at thwarting a group of truly nefarious villains. And the crazy thing is, everyone in town is in on the “GET SHERIFF ULYSSES” scheme. What you’ll witness are wild antics that are both cartoonish and shockingly gory, with a touch of pulp-fictional flair. I’m talking about bad guys literally being blown to bits, a hailstorm of bullets, and some wicked up close and personal battles. Yet, it’ll leave you in stitches as many scenes are coated with dark humor.
Thankfully, director Ben Wheatley (“Kill List,” “Meg 2: The Trench”) keeps these moments moving with urgency and impact. The fact that it’s also set in a small town during a blizzard adds to the confining, dreary atmosphere.
Bob Odenkirk, being the unsuspecting soon-to-be hero, felt genuine, yet curious, as his past isn’t fully defined. But that’s what makes this whole thing work, in the back of your mind, you’re wondering: What does Sheriff Ulysses know, and who is he really? And he presents all this in a playful style that’s off the cuff.
Joining Odenkirk in the film are Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner, Lena Headey as Moira, Reena Jolly as Lori, Ryan Allen as Deputy Blaine Anderson, Billy MacLellan as Deputy Mike Nelson, Brendan Fletcher as Keith, Peter Shinkoda as Joe, and Jess McLeod as Alex.
I feel there should be a sequel to “Normal.” Maybe within the next chapter, we could touch on Sheriff Ulysses’ past and find out what mission he’s cooking up next.
This was a nicely paced and wild bit of pulpy, wacky, bloody goodness.
Official Site: Normal
