FBI Agent Pursues Neo-Nazi Criminal in Intense Drama
- The film, directed by Justin Kurzel, focuses on a neo-Nazi group in the Pacific Northwest during the early 1980s.
- Nicholas Hoult plays Bob Mathews, who leads a series of violent crimes to fund his extremist agenda, while Jude Law portrays FBI agent Terry Husk, who is on his trail.
- Despite strong performances, the film struggles with pacing and coherence, leading to a narrative that lacks urgency and depth.
The Order is a film directed by Justin Kurzel, set in the Pacific Northwest during 1983 and 1984, focusing on a group of white supremacists led by Bob Mathews, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult. Mathews, disillusioned with his racist minister's rhetoric, decides to take matters into his own hands by orchestrating armed robberies to finance his group's activities, which escalate to assassinations and a significant domestic terror attack. Jude Law plays Terry Husk, an FBI agent who is tasked with tracking down Mathews. Husk is depicted as a troubled veteran, grappling with personal issues, including separation from his family and health problems due to his past experiences with organized crime in New York. The film presents a somber and conventional narrative, contrasting with the intense actions of the characters. While the performances are praised, particularly the chemistry between the cast and the atmospheric settings, the screenplay struggles with pacing and coherence. The plot unfolds slowly, lacking a sense of urgency or progression, which diminishes the overall impact of the story. The film's depiction of the violent robberies and shootouts is intense, reminiscent of classic crime dramas, yet the narrative fails to maintain a gripping momentum. Critics have noted that while the film effectively portrays the characters' lives and motivations, it does not fully connect these elements into a cohesive thriller. The screenplay, adapted from a book by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, has been criticized for its lack of depth and excitement, leading to a narrative that feels plodding at times. The film raises concerns about the potential misinterpretation of its themes by audiences who may sympathize with Mathews's extremist views. Overall, The Order offers a complex look at the motivations behind domestic terrorism and the challenges faced by law enforcement. Despite its shortcomings in narrative structure, the film's performances and visual storytelling provide a compelling, if unsettling, exploration of a dark chapter in American history.