Official Trailer
Rating: 7/10 | Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller | Runtime: 91 min
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan
Normal is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you. It’s got Bob Odenkirk playing an interim sheriff in a small Minnesota town, and on paper that sounds like it could go either way. Really good or completely forgettable. Turns out it lands somewhere in between, but closer to the good side.
The setup is simple enough. Odenkirk’s character Ulysses shows up in this snowbound town called Normal to do his job, and immediately gets pulled into this mess involving a couple who just robbed a bank. But here’s where it gets interesting: these aren’t your typical movie criminals. They’re actually caught up in something way bigger than themselves, something that involves international criminals using Normal as a front for their operation. So Ulysses goes from just trying to get through his shift to accidentally uncovering this whole conspiracy.
What actually works here is the cast chemistry. Odenkirk and Henry Winkler together are gold. Winkler plays a character who shouldn’t be funny but absolutely is, and the two of them have this natural back and forth that makes you want to watch them talk even when nothing’s really happening. Lena Headey shows up as someone clearly involved in the criminal side of things, and she’s good at that cold, threatening presence she does so well.
The pacing is tight for a 91-minute movie. There’s no wasted time here. You’re not sitting through long dialogue scenes about feelings or backstory. Things move. A scene happens, it matters, then you’re onto the next thing. That works in the movie’s favor because it never gets boring, even when the plot itself isn’t doing anything crazy.
Where it loses steam
The action sequences are fine but not memorable. They’re shot clearly so you can follow what’s happening, which is good, but they don’t have any real punch to them. There’s a car chase scene that feels obligatory. Some gunfire that’s competent but forgettable. You’re not going to be thinking about these scenes after the credits roll.
The plot also gets a little convoluted in the third act. Once you get to the “let’s explain the actual conspiracy” section, things get muddy. There’s too much being thrown at you in a short amount of time, and not all of it lands. I found myself a little lost on the specifics of what was actually happening and why it mattered so much. The movie tries to do a lot in 91 minutes, and that’s where it shows.
The small stuff
The setting of a snowy Minnesota town is used well. There’s something about the isolation that plays into the thriller aspect. You feel stuck there with Odenkirk, which makes the stakes feel higher. The production design is solid without being flashy. It looks like a real place, which is important for this kind of story.
The soundtrack doesn’t really stand out, which is fine. It’s there, it does its job, you don’t really notice it. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
The verdict
Normal is a solid thriller that knows what it is and doesn’t try to be something bigger. It’s got good performances, especially from Odenkirk and Winkler, and it moves fast enough that you stay engaged. The third act gets messy and the action doesn’t exactly wow you, but it’s still worth the 91 minutes. It’s the kind of movie that’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon when you want something entertaining but not demanding.
Did you see this one? What did you think of how they handled the conspiracy reveal?
Where to Watch
Rent on: Amazon Video