The neo-western/crime drama has become a cinema staple. Early classic examples include Lone Star (1952), Hud (1963), and Paris, Texas (1984). More recent films like No Country for Old Men (2007), Sicario (2015), Hell or High Water (2016), and Wind River (2017) reinvigorated the genre for modern audiences. While these films can sometimes be marketed today as “intense, action-packed thrillers” akin to something from the 1980s, in actuality, while the action is there, the characters and story take center stage over the carnage. Director Justin Kurzel (True History of the Kelly Gang; Nitram; 2015’s Macbeth) is attempting his take with the neo-western with The Order.
If you’d like to learn about The Order in a spoiler-free capacity, head over to EoM Contributor Justin Waldman’s initial TIFF 2024 review. Moving forward, specifics of the narrative may be disclosed.
L-R: Jude Law as Terry Husk, Jurnee Smollett as Joanne Carney, and Tye Sheridan as Jamie Bowen in THE ORDER. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
Set in 1983, The Order follows a lone FBI agent named Terry Husk (Jude Law). Husk is given a case involving a series of bank robberies and car heists in the Pacific Northwest. In his hunt, Husk discovers that these crimes aren’t just the basic heist. Instead, he believes something much more sinister is happening. These attacks weren’t financially motivated but acts of domestic terrorism via the group known as The Order. The group, led by Neo-Nazi Bob Matthews (Nicholas Hoult), begins a vicious cat-and-mouse game with Husk.
Jude Law as Terry Husk in THE ORDER. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
The Order is based on actual events, with the known terrorist group The Order at the forefront. That said, dramatic license is taken, so judging the film from a historical context is challenging. What can be said is that the film firmly cements itself in the neo-western genre. Those looking for your typical “action” film will be sorely disappointed. The biggest complaints regarding The Order can simply be attributed to one key factor — the first being the film’s slower pacing.
A story such as this indeed revels in the tension over the action. That tension isn’t just action sequences but is also the characters’ psychologies, which, for some viewers, is simply not enough. Its pace can be a serious deterrent. This is incredibly frustrating when it comes to the supporting characters. The screenplay by Zach Baylin (Creed III; The Crow), based on the book The Silent Brotherhood written by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, doesn’t give enough narrative meat to the supporting players. When a character arrives as a “cop with a young child at home,” you immediately know where it’s going. Such tropes are laid on actors Tye Sheridan (Mud) and Jurnee Smollett (The Burial). Both actors do what they can but struggle to leave an impact.
Nicholas Hoult as Robert Jay Matthews in THE ORDER. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
On the flip side, Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley) and Nicholas Hoult (The Menu) deliver incredibly impressive performances. Both actors know that these characters (in some cases based on actual people) have archetypal qualities. Instead, both actors relish the material, creating tension and fragility in their respective roles. It’s compelling for actors in this day and age to act so expressively via their eyes. No matter the machismo dialogue, audiences can tell both men are broken. They only have the hunt for each other and it fuels them to the finish line. It’s such a compelling dynamic that proves thrilling to see.
However, in reviewing this home release, only one question remains: Does it justify a purchase?
Center: Jude Law as Terry Husk in THE ORDER. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
Fans interested in special features will be disappointed with The Order home release. It is utterly lacking in bonus content, leaving fans and non-fans alike with a blank slate. Special features could prove a benefit for a film like this since it’s based on a true story. Some viewers may be interested in learning more about the filmmaking process. Meanwhile, more lukewarm film fans could find insights into the story that would make them appreciate the current product. Viewers who enjoy these types of neo-westerns should consider a purchase of The Order as the crisp picture transports viewers to an era of classic old-school thrillers, delivering exciting results. Those less interested in a more methodically paced story might need to wait for it to drop on a streaming service.
No bonus features included.
Available on VOD and digital December 24th, 2024.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD February 18th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official The Order website.
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Categories: Home Release, Recommendation
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