Director: Justin Kurzel
Writers: Zach Baylin, Gary Gerhardt, Kevin Flynn
Stars: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan
Synopsis: A series of bank robberies and car heists frightened communities in the Pacific Northwest. A lone FBI agent believes that the crimes were not the work of financially motivated criminals, but rather a group of dangerous domestic terrorists.
The Order is an extraordinary crime film by a director with an unconscious power that is hard to put a finger on. It captivates with an intense, suspenseful atmosphere due to its modern themes, which have remained relevant for nearly forty years. In this “based on a true story” thriller, a young, brash white nationalist seeks radical change, while his superior, the Grand Minister, prefers a patient, long-term strategy.
The scene is particularly powerful: after the older and more strategic white supremacist outlines his plan—to place members in high government positions to effect “real change”—you can’t help but reflect on what has unfolded in our country by the end of the past decade. It’s a chilling realization of the consequences of their long-term ambitions. Perhaps the most terrifying aspect is that the subject matter of The Order continues to resonate today.
The story follows a federal agent who accepts a post in a remote area of the Pacific Northwest. Burdened by personal demons, Terry Husk (Jude Law) wears every beautifully weathered crease on his face. When he learns of a missing person, he enlists help to investigate in the form of young local sheriff, Jamie Bowen (Tye Sheridan). Together, they uncover a labyrinthine conspiracy hiding in plain sight. Well, except for the Nazi leaflets flying around town, spreading the good “White” word.
A series of bank robberies spans multiple northwest states, each occurring just before a domestic terrorist attack, such as a synagogue bombing in Boise, Idaho. Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), the mastermind behind these audacious robberies, robs banks to fund his radical agenda. His beliefs are based on a book called The Turner Diaries, which depicts a violent revolution to overthrow the “cult” federal government and establish a white supremacist regime.
The issue is that no one is taking Terry seriously enough; his only support comes from an old FBI agent friend (Jurnee Smollett), who calls in some favors when she feels he deserves to enjoy the crisp Idaho mountain air and indulge in hunting and fishing to his heart’s content. However, Terry is obsessive, working tirelessly in an era with weaker laws against terrorist groups, limited digital technology and surveillance, and poor communication between law enforcement agencies.
Some may argue that The Order is underdeveloped in its themes of extremism, radicalization, violence, and law enforcement. However, I would argue that the film is subtle in its approach, internalizing these themes because Justin Kurzel reflects the source material’s exploration of the government’s failure to recognize hate groups and define them as domestic terrorists, only getting involved when they fund their operations through illegal means.
The Order is a powerful film that thrives on Jude Law’s and Nicholas Hoult’s performances, which are the best of their careers. An extraordinary amount of relentless intensity and obsession fuels each turn. In particular, Law’s Agent Husk, when Hoult’s Matthews keeps raising the stakes, brings a gripping emotional urgency to the core of the film, in particular resonating with the audience today. The past decade reveals just how little we have come as a society, as extremist groups and mindsets still exist today because of the division of hate we continue to find ourselves in.
On the flip side, Hoult is mesmerizing, bringing the dark side of obsession when it comes to hate distorting a false sense of identity and superiority. In one of the film’s best (and most disturbing scenes), Hoult channels the power of a young Brando with a dominant brooding intensity that is, frankly, terrifying. Not in fear, mind you, but in the fervor he brings out of the radical group he has spawned within his extremist community.
The Order is a one-of-a-kind film. This story feels like a precursor to and sparked Tim McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing because the government failed to act swiftly. Somehow, Justin Kurzel has made a film that takes you to a different time and place that still feels relevant with scenes that stay in your memory long after the film is over.
You can watch Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult in The Order only in theaters on December 6th!
