Normal
April 15th, 2026
MOVIE: NORMAL
STARRING: BOB ODENKIRK, HENRY WINKLER, LENA HEADEY, RYAN ALLEN
DIRECTED BY: BEN WHEATLEY
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 90 MINUTES
The career of Ben Wheatley has been an interesting one to follow. It began with his breakout independent crime drama Down Terrace, followed by the folk-horror hit Kill List. He then pivoted toward more mainstream projects like High-Rise and Free Fire, both of which helped raise his profile and pushed him into bigger-budget territory with the Rebecca remake and the gleefully ridiculous Meg 2: The Trench. His career reflects the highs and lows of filmmaking, and his newest film, Normal, sees Wheatley returning to his independent roots while still embracing his flair for explosive, chaotic action.
Normal is a small-town crime drama packed with shootouts, dark comedy, and unexpected twists- elements that feel right at home in Wheatley’s wheelhouse.
Bob Odenkirk co-writes (alongside Derek Kolstad) and stars as Ulysses Richardson, the newly appointed sheriff of Normal, Minnesota. His position is temporary, filling in after the previous sheriff’s death until elections are held. Ulysses is an easygoing figure with a troubled past and a fractured personal life- his ex-wife no longer speaks to him- but he’s simply looking for peace in a quiet town. Naturally, that peace doesn’t last.
Unbeknownst to him, the town is under the control of a corrupt Yakuza-backed operation, and when a bank robbery threatens to expose the truth, the residents of Normal band together to keep their secret hidden from their new lawman.
From a narrative standpoint, Normal is fairly straightforward: one unsuspecting outsider against an entire town of morally compromised locals. From the overly friendly Mayor Kibner (a delightful Henry Winkler) to Moira, the hardened bartender (Lena Headey), and the ambitious Deputy Blaine (Ryan Allen), nearly everyone has something to hide. Wheatley leans into this setup by turning everyday locations into battlegrounds, loading them with weapons, ammunition, and explosives, resulting in a series of tense, kinetic showdowns.
What could feel one-note is elevated by Wheatley’s direction and his use of the ensemble cast. There are clear inspirations from the Coen Brothers- particularly Fargo– in the way seemingly harmless locals reveal darker tendencies. From a kindly knitting shop owner to a food-obsessed beat cop, the film thrives on subverting expectations. And while comparisons to Odenkirk’s role in Nobody are inevitable, his performance remains a highlight, blending mild-mannered charm with bursts of surprising brutality.
Ultimately, Normal succeeds because it delivers exactly what it promises: a satisfying mix of action and dark comedy. It channels the blood-soaked energy of Quentin Tarantino, the sharp humor of Martin McDonagh, and the scrappy creativity that defines Wheatley at his best. Normal may be set in a small town, but it delivers a big, explosive jolt of originality that elevates it above the standard genre fare.
3 STARS
NORMAL IS PLAYING IN THEATERS FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
