The Order (2024)

"The Order" stars Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, and Marc Maron.  Released on December 6, 2024, the film has an FBI agent pursuing a radical terrorist group.
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The film was directed by Justin Kurzel, who also directed films such as "Snowtown", "Macbeth", "Assassin's Creed", and "Nitram".  It is based on the 1989 non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt.  It's sad that I feel we have gradually gone backward regarding how society treats each other.  Every time we have a type of media that involves diversity, we can't seem to enjoy them without worrying about any racist scumbag complaining on the internet.  It feels like we are on the verge of another white supremacist revolution.  At least some of us weren't alive during the 1980s when an attempt at a white-only America almost destroyed our country.  This latest crime thriller from acclaimed director Justin Kurzel brings this year-long manhunt to the big screen to provide some counter-programming until the big holiday movies roll in.  Considering that the post-Thanksgiving weekend is known for its lesser-known desserts, it makes sense to have something like this to fill the void.  But does this thriller have enough merits to resemble this terrifyingly true story respectfully?  Let's find out. 

The story centers on Terry Husk (Law), an FBI agent in 1983 Idaho.  He's tasked with investigating a series of bank robberies and heists that have been terrorizing the Pacific Northwest.  Husk eventually discovers a pattern in these crimes that leads him to pursue the true perpetrators of these heinous acts.  The suspects in question are part of a white supremacist terrorist group known as "the Order".  Led by Neo-Nazi activist Bob Mathews (Hoult), the Order seeks to raise funds through armed robberies and raise a revolution against the United States government.  This resulted in Husk and his allies, police officer Jamie Bowen (Sheridan) and FBI agent Joanne Carney (Smollett), racing against the clock to bring this unhinged group to justice.

The first time "The Order" caught my full attention was from the trailer I watched while seeing an early screening of "Elevation".  Coincidentally, both movies were distributed by Vertical, with "The Order" being for the U.S. release.  If I'm going to be honest, I thought that trailer maintained my interest longer than "Elevation", but then again, that was due to me suffering from my allergies while watching that film.  It not only featured some pretty talented actors, including Law and Hoult, but also sheds light on this historical event that somehow hits close to today's day and age.  I wouldn't consider it a must-see in the theater, but those things were enough for me to consider giving it a shot sooner or later.  By that, I mean giving it a shot via the mystery movie screening.  You read that right.  "The Order" just happened to be this week's mystery movie I attended, and was it worth it?  Yes, it was.

"The Order" is a solidly crafted and thought-provoking thriller that effectively displays the subtle horrors of white supremacy.  Of course, it is also one of the movies that may not be acceptable for everyone, given its themes and unsettling moments of violence.  Fortunately, these elements were never at the limits of being unwatchable or excessively ostentatious like most Hollywood-esque thrillers.  They're displayed in a way that's grounded in authenticity but always surrounded by the understated yet compelling tension of the scenario.  However, it can come with the cost of its slow pacing.  This is another slow-burn thriller that relies more on dialogue-driven suspense than the fast-paced action spectacle we usually see.  Thankfully, the presence of the main leads and the talents behind the scenes managed to grab my attention long enough to admire its craft and enticing storyline.

Is it a perfect representation of its horrifying themes?  Not really.  It had a seemingly straightforward narrative that may not have delved deep into specific elements.  Additionally, the lasting impact of its discomforting nature can be hit and miss depending on people's taste in slow-burn thrillers.  Regardless, writer Zach Baylin did a suitable job reflecting this unsettling yet relatable topic through its dialogue and realistic approach to the genre.  Considering Baylin's recent losing streak with "Bob Marley: One Love" and the recent "Crow" reboot, this is a much-deserved win for the Oscar-nominated writer.  I would also credit director Justin Kurzel, who ensured that a slow-burn thriller like "The Order" was enthralling enough to accompany his presentation.  Before this film, the only movie I watched from Kurzel was, surprisingly, the 2016 adaptation of the "Assassin's Creed" franchise, which I thought was enjoyable but forgettable.  Unsurprisingly, this movie was a significant improvement over "Assassin's Creed" due to Kurzel's direction.  From its intriguing character-driven scenes to the subtly riveting action set pieces, Kurzel made every sequence into a stunning portrait of American violence that's gorgeous but also a tad unnerving.

This was mainly due to the cinematography by Adam Arkapaw, who brilliantly captured the wide-angle shots of its expansive sceneries and some of the grainy color palettes.  Arkapaw had previously collaborated with Kurzel on "Snowtown", "Macbeth", and "Assassin's Creed", showcasing the two and their common niche in providing immersion in their screenshots.  Finally, we have the cast, who did a solid job with their performances, including Jude Law as Terry Husk.  Law's approach to the character's determined yet sometimes stoic personality was an impressive feat that balances subtleness with his dramatic chops, resulting in a performance worthy of the actor's talents.  Nicholas Hoult also delivered an unsettling yet attention-grabbing performance as Bob Mathews.  Like Law, Hoult had that specific balance of subtleness and discomfort that respectfully captured his character's selfishness and blind desire for white dominance without straying too far into stereotypical territory.  Tye Sheridan and Jurnee Smollet were also impressive in their roles as Jamie Bowen and Joanne Carney, respectively, especially the former regarding Jamie's arc.

Overall, "The Order" is a skillfully crafted and delicately unsettling thriller that delivers justice to its conventional narrative.  Like most slow-burn movies, this film's pacing and subdued approach will likely test the patience of those eager for another fast-paced action thrill ride.  Fortunately, regarding the talents in front of and behind the scenes, "The Order" proves that a slow-burn thriller can be as riveting as an ordinary action spectacle, even the ones based on real-life events.  With its solid cast, good direction, decent script, and stellar cinematography, the movie is another piece of fact-based cinema that properly sheds light on one of America's darker histories.  So, if you're a fan of slow-burn thrillers and are burned out from the chaos of "Moana" and "Wicked" last weekend, feel free to check this film out.

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