Have you seen Justin Kurzel’s highly under the radar crime thriller, The Order (2024)? Did you see it and immediately think to yourself that you wanted to see more of this? If you haven’t, have you seen some of Dick Wolf’s FBI television show where they also explored sovereign citizens last season? Whether or not you’ve seen either of these excellent examples, if you are interested in brilliantly performed and incredibly written and directed crime dramas about people who believe they don’t have to answer to authority, then Christian Swegal’s Sovereign is absolutely the right call for a watch. It explores the cult-like relationship and beliefs of the two main characters in fleshed out and terrifying ways, focusing more on their father-son bond than anything else. The story outside of the two leads, however, is lacking and the chaotic aftermath leaves a little to be desired.
Nick Offerman as Jerry Kane in SOVEREIGN. Photo courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment.
Sovereign focuses on Jerry and Joe Kane (Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay, respectively) as Jerry identifies as a sovereign citizen and teaches his beliefs to his son. While Joe is initially worried and doesn’t want to follow in his father’s foot steps, especially as doing so starts to affect his life more than it initially did, he slowly starts to come around. Whether he truly believes what his father is preaching or he’s just trying to make his father proud is another question, but Joe’s actions throughout the film certainly lean towards a very dangerous mindset that sets off a chaotic series of events leading towards an explosive ending.
L-R: Jacob Tremblay as Joe Kane and Nick Offerman as Jerry Kane in SOVEREIGN. Photo courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment.
On the other side of this is the chief of police, John (Dennis Quaid), who is also a father trying to raise his son, Adam (Thomas Mann), juxtaposing Jerry and Joe as he wants his son to follow in his law-abiding footsteps. It is clear that these John and Jerry are going to butt heads and face off at some point, but the cumulative tipping point is nothing that can be expected. The strong script written by Christian Swegal creates an intense drama that shines brightest with its characters and their beliefs than it does with its overall message and execution.
Nick Offerman as Jerry Kane in SOVEREIGN. Photo courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment.
The biggest stand out and surprise (though it really shouldn’t be at this point, it always still is) is how exceptional Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation; Dumb Money) is. Offerman, who is usually thought of as a comedian and comedy actor, delivers another brilliant, downright terrifying, and disturbing dramatic role that will send a chill down the audiences’ spines throughout the movie but, most importantly, during the second and third acts. Jacob Tremblay, who we last saw in The Life of Chuck (2025) and is possibly one of the hardest working young actors in Hollywood today, is exceptional in Sovereign. He carefully treads between trying to ensure he wins his father’s approval and makes him proud and trying to make a life for himself. Rounding out the incredible cast is a completely balanced performance by Dennis Quaid. Quaid (The Substance; Innerspace) is the law and order in the movie, trying to balance the chaos of the events unfolding, but also realizing that going head-to-head with someone like the Kane is most likely going to end dangerously and tries to proceed with caution. He is consistently level-headed and trying to keep the peace. In a specific moment for John, Quaid conveys everything through his physical performance, generating a chill down your spine and burning a haunting image into your brain without saying a word. Sovereign boasts a masterful script that focuses on two juxtaposed pairs of fathers and sons while the rest of the story falls to the side slightly. The brilliant performances round it out to make Sovereign an intense and bone-chilling movie.
In theaters, on VOD, and digital July 11th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Briarcliff Entertainment Sovereign website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews, streaming
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