Joey Magidson
We’ve seen a bunch of action comedies this year, as well as horror comedies, etc. 2026 so far has seemed like a year where violence and humor go hand in hand. For my money, none have mixed genres better than Normal, which is consistently amusing, often poignant, and once the violence begins, supremely gory. The film works on all levels, crafting one of the more surprisingly satisfying efforts of the year. Provided you can stand some blood and guts, this tale of a reluctant hero has a ton to offer.
Normal has an ability to shift tones far more deftly than a lot of movies can even dream of. When it’s funny/silly, I was often smiling. When it’s going for light drama and even poignancy, I was invested. Then, when all hell breaks loose, I was hooting at the carnage on display. Given the unlikely hero at the center of it all, there’s just an added layer of fun to be had. This is actually quite a blast, as long as you’re not easy shocked.
Ulysses Richardson (Bob Odenkirk) is the substitute sheriff assigned to the quiet Midwestern town of Normal, Minnesota. On hand for a few weeks on an interim bases after the death of their prior sheriff, Ulysses is trying not to rock the boat. Estranged from his wife and haunted by an incident before his itinerant ways, he now drifts from interim job to interim job. Here, however, Normal seems like a good spot to take it easy, to the point where Mayor Kibner (Henry Winkler) would love to have him stay on. The thing is, could Normal be too good to be true? Given the prologue that introduces how the Yakuza have an interest in the town, that goes without saying.
Things come to a head when a bank robbery goes down. Ulysses heads over there to try and talk Lori (Reena Jolly) and Keith (Brendan Fletcher) down, but no sooner does he step inside the bank than his deputies, Blaine Anderson (Ryan Allen) and Mike Nelson (Billy MacLellan), open fire on him. Confused, he takes cover with the bank robbers, trying to figure out why he’s being shot at. As he pieces together what’s in the vault and why it matters so much, the whole town is planning to kill him, as the Yakuza draw closer. Then, it gets really wild…
Bob Odenkirk gives arguably his best big screen performance to date as Ulysses. There’s a weariness to him that’s incredibly compelling, while he continues to prove he’s an effective badass. There’s drama in his scenes with Lena Headey‘s bartender Moira, as well as with Alex (Jess McLeod), the troubled daughter of the deceased sheriff. Having someone like Odenkirk with real comedic chops in the action hero role allows him to walk effectively between both worlds. Henry Winkler is fun in a small role, while the rest of the townspeople mostly play things amusingly big. Headey and McLeod could have stood to have been utilized more, but their scenes really do work. The former has essentially two big scenes, while the latter comes on strong in the back end. Supporting players include David Lawrence Brown, Peter Shinkoda, and many more.
Director Ben Wheatley, working off of a screenplay by Derek Kolstad (Odenkirk shares a Story By credit with Kolstad), really is firing on all cylinders here. The violent comedy of Sightseers mixes with the gunplay of Free Fire to form Wheatley’s most complete work. His prior films often have really strong elements alongside frustrating ones, but here, it all fits together. The movie flies by, to the point where even more character wouldn’t have been unappreciated. If Normal is indicative of how Wheatley is operating right now, I’m eager to see what he has up his sleeve next.
Normal is Ben Wheatley’s best film to date and a surprise early year gem. Watching Bob Odenkirk kick ass is never not going to be fun, sure, but this has more to offer up than just that. I found it to be an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying flick. Give it a shot and I suspect you’ll feel the same way.
SCORE: ★★★1/2
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