The Order – A Gripping Throwback Thriller (Early Review)

In 1983, Idaho-based FBI Agent Terry Husk (Law) spots a pattern in recent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations, and armored car heists that are terrorizing communities across the Pacific Northwest. Upon this discovery, he sets out to prove that it’s not the work of a traditional organized crime unit, but a radical group plotting to overthrow the US government, led by a charismatic leader Bob Matthews (Hoult). This sets the stage for The Order, a solid crime thriller that feels like a throwback to the classic cat-and-mouse police thrillers of the 70’s and 80’s, one that is likely destined to become one of the more overlooked films of the year and a victim of its release date.

An intense and fast paced true crime thriller, its engaging story will pull audiences in and keeps them on the edge of their seats throughout. Capturing a dark period in American history, its themes remain terrifyingly relevant today. Along those lines, the cinematography offers up some of the most beautiful shots of the year so far and along with the score, work together to add to the tension. Justin Kurzel’s gritty and immersive direction gives the film a sense of authenticity while using it to hold up a mirror to modern day society without it ever feeling overly preachy. The few action sequences are nothing short of phenomenal, each more suspenseful than the last. Kurzel, known for his great directing and staging of action, produces work that is truly on another level to the point that it will have audiences all the more curious about what he could do with a full blown action vehicle.

The cast across the board deliver, but Law and Hoult in particular deliver fantastic performances deserving of a lot more praise than they are ultimately getting. As Husk, Law gives a very understated yet powerful performance as the kind of character that audiences will surely find themselves instantly attached to as he is determined to catch criminals. Hoult, on the other hand, is quietly quite chilling as Matthews, a role unlike anything he’s ever done before. He’s a completely despicable and sadistic character for which audiences will want to see face justice for his unspeakable crimes. That being said, Matthews is also a very layered character that will be hard to take their eyes off of. Meanwhile, Sheridan and Jurnee Smollett turn in reliable performances as Husk’s fellow law enforcement officers, Jamie Bowen and Joanne Carney.

All thing considered, there honestly isn’t too much to complain about with The Order. It is conventional from a story perspective and doesn’t do much to stand out amongst the crowd. Choosing to focus more on its story than its characters, some of them get left out in the character development department which is a shame because a few could have been fleshed out a bit more than they were here. Because of the nature of its true story, based on the book “The Silent Brotherhood: Inside America’s Racist Underground” by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, the film ends a little abruptly and feels like it would have benefitted from an additional few minutes to wrap up a in a cleaner way, rather than through the trope of additional expositional text before the end credits.

In the end, The Order is the type of crime thriller that we desperately need more of, and hopefully it will generate enough attention to ensure that more are made in the near future. While it might not change the game, it is one of the most intense, not to mention the finest, films of the year and one definitely worth seeking out whenever it becomes available to near you.

still courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/