Shadows on the Wall

The Order

dir Justin Kurzel
scr Zach Baylin
prd Bryan Haas, Stuart Ford, Justin Kurzel, Jude Law
with Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, Marc Maron, Odessa Young, Sebastian Pigott, George Tchortov, Victor Slezak, Matias Lucas, Morgan Holmstrom
release US 6.Dec.24
24/Canada 1h56

VENICE FILM FEST
TORONTO FILM FEST

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Based on a true story, this film's steely tone gets under the skin, as filmmaker Justin Kurzel generates quietly taut energy. The film shifts between procedural investigations and outrageously intense action set-pieces that never hedge away from the bloodshed. And the central ideas in the story carry a powerful resonance, as fringe groups 40 years ago are now in the seats of power across North America and Europe.

In 1983 Idaho, taciturn FBI agent Terry (Law) has just arrived and is missing his family. Working alone, he's investigating a series of violent robberies across the Northwest that seem to be the work of organised criminals. When local deputy Jamie (Sheridan) suggests that a white supremacist group might be behind them, Terry is dubious. But sure enough, the charismatic Bob (Hoult) is leading his racist pals on an increasingly grisly crime spree. And as Terry begins to look into what's called the Order, he becomes worried about where their ideological actions are headed.

Christian nationalist leader Richard (Slezak) believes that the US government is a cult. Of course he utterly fails to see that his own group is indeed a cult, or that his bigoted beliefs are actually anti-Christian. Even so, he warns Bob to stop his criminal activity, but Bob defiantly escalates it. The film cuts between Bob's crew and Terry's efforts to find and stop them, creating a driving narrative that pushes relentlessly forward.

Playing against type as a gruff, ragged middle-aged loner, Law is terrific as the hyper-focussed Terry. He ricochets sharply against Sheridan's intelligent, composed Jamie, and Smollett's more impulsive, intense agent Joanne. Meanwhile, Hoult holds the film's magnetic centre, oddly likeable as a vicious villain with a very messy homelife.

The film vividly captures the attitude of people who are seeking someone to blame for their frustrations in life, focussing on other ethnic groups while hiding behind false patriotism. Despite efforts to contain them, these ideas have propelled horrific acts of brutality over the decades, and have now become guiding principles for government. So even if this movie never sets out to be cautionary, it can't help but strike a nerve.

themes, language, violence 8.Dec.24

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