THE STORY – In 1983, a series of increasingly violent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations, and armored car heists frightens communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. As baffled law enforcement agents scrambled for answers, a lone FBI agent, stationed in the sleepy, picturesque town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, comes to believe the crimes are not the work of traditional, financially motivated criminals, but of a group of dangerous domestic terrorists, inspired by a radical, charismatic leader, plotting a devastating war against the federal government of the United States.
THE CAST – Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett & Marc Maron
THE TEAM – Justin Kurzel (Director), Zach Baylin, Kevin Flynn & Gary Gerhardt (Writers)
THE RUNNING TIME – 116 Minutes
Perhaps the most terrifying element of Justin Kurzel’s crime thriller, “The Order,” are these words: “Based on true events.” The harrowing story, adapted from Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s 1989 book, “The Silent Brotherhood,” details the inner workings of a white supremacist group called The Order, led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get the life he and his followers deserve – one where all “others” are killed. But you’re sadly mistaken if you think this story serves only as a snapshot of the past. The exact text that radicalized Bob Mathews’ “The Turner Diaries” inspired numerous hate crimes and acts of terrorism, including the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the January 6th United States Capitol attack, making this film even more timely than ever.
Kurzel, who previously examined the life and behaviors of a mentally distressed young man in “Nitram,” based on the Australian mass shooter Martin Bryant, delivers this gripping and intense police procedural that doesn’t let up until the very end. Starring Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult in a cat-and-mouse chase against the clock, the two actors have never been better and more terrifying, even if their characters have some cliches. But Kurzel and writers Zach Baylin, Kevin Flynn, and Gary Gerhardt keep us glued to our seats as we wait to see just how far this terrorist group goes.
Set throughout Colorado, Idaho, and Washington in 1983-1984, antisemitism is rampant in these parts, and people aren’t afraid to share it. Jewish radio host Alan Berg (Marc Maron) frequently gets calls from white supremacists, and the Aryan Nation looms large with its “White Power” flyers everywhere. However, a subgroup called The Order, led by Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), has formed, and they want more than talk and posters. They want to take back what they claim to be theirs and restore a pure, white American life.
Idaho-based FBI Agent Terry Husk (a mustache-clad Jude Law with an excellent American accent) is new in town and waiting for his family to join him when he discovers something fishy about this place. While most of the law enforcement in the area are reluctant to poke around the Aryan Nation, Terry can’t shake the feeling that there’s a connection between them and a recent string of robberies. Lucky for him, local sheriff’s deputy Jamie Bowen (Tye Sheridan) is also interested in the case and lends him a helping hand. Compared to last year’s panned “Asphalt City,” which starred Sheridan and a grizzled Sean Penn as New York City paramedics, the team-up between him and Law is far more interesting and exciting to watch. Law, in particular, is thrilling as the gritty FBI agent with a mysterious past. He’s quick to take the “bad cop” role in almost every situation in the film, eager to get in some neo-Nazi’s face or to stare at them with his dull eyes, and Law eats up every second of it. There are some built-in cliches with his character, like his thirst for whiskey and calls to his mystery family that goes unanswered, but they don’t take away from his stellar performance.
The writers take their time with this police procedural, building up The Order’s plans for destruction and showing Terry and Jamie discovering crumbs of evidence along the way. That slow build allows for an intimate look at Bob Mathews, brought to life by a terrifyingly brilliant performance from Hoult. With his coconut haircut and an eagerness to expand his family, Bob looks like a simple family man. But in his inner circle, he’s unwavering in his desire for a “better nation” and doesn’t cower in that pursuit. One impassioned speech Hoult makes in the middle of an Aryan Nation church service is particularly chilling, showing the thirst for blood and power in his eyes as admirers surround him like a second coming of Christ. It’s one of the year’s best supporting performances – and certainly one of Hoult’s best.
As Terry and Bob’s paths cross multiple times during the film, each of these moments adds to the already high intensity. Shootouts and chases are always action-packed and highly gripping due to Nick Fenton’s fast editing, bouncing back and forth between both parties and never lingering too long on any shot. Even one quiet scene that the two share out in nature will have audience members on the edge of their seats because of the controlled rage inside their characters. Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw also delivers visually, capturing the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscape and evoking a visceral reaction each time the red background of a swastika flag is shown.
Just as Kurzel was able to paint an intimate and harrowing portrait of a mass shooter in “Nitram,” his latest film details the unsettling workings of a hate group led by a leader desperate for control. With “The Order,” he’s careful not to glamorize or make these men martyrs. Instead, he focuses on their dangerous minds, reminding us that though their crimes may have happened 40 years ago, the past still lingers.
