Jude Law plays an FBI agent attempting to prove that a group of Neo-Nazis are behind a series of bank robberies in the serviceable crime-thriller The Order. Mildly entertaining but far from enthralling, director Justin Kurzel checks the right boxes while struggling to find that sense of urgency and energy that could propel it to the next level.
Law, donning a gruff American accent, goes head-to-head with white radical Bob Matthews, played by Nicholast Hoult. Matthews wants to start a violent revolution, and what we get is a cat-vs-cat game that feels like a less charismatic version of “Justified.”
In the moment, The Order was decent enough, with some bursts of action and violence and a compelling “based on a true story” depiction of terror in the Pacific Northwest (where I live). Law is always a force to be reckoned with, though without his British charm and smarm he (or his character) loses a step. Hoult is convincing as the bad guy, though you wish he had ratched up the menace a few notches.
Upon reflection, The Order simply doesn’t do enough to stand out. It’s been a week or more since I’ve watched the movie and have already forgotten most of the little details you tend to remember when something really held your attention. Stuff happens, Matthews talks about white people getting the short stick, and life continues.
If you’re desperate to watch a new crime thriller, you could do worse than The Order. But unfortunately, that’s the highest praise I can give it. That’s not an order.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.