Nicholas Hoult is so fascinating in “The Order” you want him to be the focus.
Unfortunately, the film is built around Jude Law as an FBI agent trying to capture Hoult’s Bob Mathews and shut down his white supremacist group.
Because we have to get to know the hunter, we don’t get much time to understand the hunted.
Jude Law plays an FBI agent tracking a cult in "The Order."
Based in fact, the drama has a cat-and-mouse quality, but it sparks whenever director Justin Kurzel heads into the Pacific Northwest compound where Mathews is assembling like-minded people.
In those scenes, you get a sense of the growing discontent with the government and a desire to “set things right” in the country. Hoult delivers powerful speeches and has seminal moments with his detractors and superiors.
Law, however, is the film’s lead so time must be spent telling something of his story – his past transgressions, his failing health, his personal stake in doing what’s right. Kurzel includes his time with local law enforcement (Tye Sheridan is particularly good), but that’s filler until they head out on the trail of The Order, the group Mathews is leading. They have no idea where that might wind up.
Jude Law, from left, leads a team closing in on a group of white supremacists in "The Order." Joining him are Jurnee Smollett and Tye Sheridan.
In those sparse moments at home, Hoult shows compassion and care, reading to his son, comforting his wife.
When the lens broadens, we realize he has a mistress and a disconnect with those who got him started in the religion.
When Mathews finally encounters Law’s Terry Husk, there’s a dance that suggests animals in the woods. They don’t exactly become best friends, but there is an awareness that continues throughout the film.
Nicholas Hoult stars in "The Order."
When Kurzel zooms in on Hoult, “The Order” is a chilling account of a specific piece of American history. When he strays over to Law, it’s a generic cops-and-robbers film.
Marc Maron slips in as radio show host; Philip Granger is hard to pin as Sheridan’s boss.
Because he’s juggling so many characters, Kurzel can’t make this the “Bonnie and Clyde” it wants to be.
Giving Hoult top billing (and telling the story from his perspective) might have provided the order it needs. Instead, the story settles in and, instead of documenting history, becomes a crime thriller where the resolution is obvious.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "28 Years Ago"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "28 Years Later" is much more than a zombie film; it's the film that launches Alfie William's acting career.
Movies in a Minute: "Materialists"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Materialists" had potential with its great cast, but its plot comes up short.
Movies in a Minute: "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina," isn't fancy, but it does get the job done.
Movies in a Minute: "Karate Kid: Legends"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Karate Kid: Legends" is necessarily bad, just unnecessary.
Movies in a Minute: "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning "
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is a decent summer action film showing there's still life in an old franchise.
Movies in a Minute: "Nonnas"
UpdatedWhile the premise may be a little underbaked, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Noonas" lets Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire and Susan Sarandon get cooking.
Movies in a Minute: "Fight or Flight"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment, editor says "Fight or Flight" is so full of stunts, it reminds of action films that starred Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt and Sandra Bulllock.
Movies in a Minute: "Thunderbolts*"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says Florence Pugh's acting in "Thunderbolts*" is forceful and keeps the action moving along.
Movies in a Minute: "The Accountant 2"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that although "The Accountant 2" is a good buddy film, this sequel could use an audit.
Movies in a Minute: "Sinners"
Updated"Sinners" is a wild ride according to Bruce Miller, the Sioux City Journal's entertainment reporter. Filmmakers Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have created an unstoppable movie.
Movies in a Minute: "Warfare"
Updated"Warfare" is gritty and disturbing. It also one of the best films of the year according to Sioux City Journal movie critic Bruce Miller.
Movies in a Minute: "A Minecraft Movie"
UpdatedWill this movie please you? Or, will it annoy you? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that could very much depend on what generation you are.
Movies in a Minute: "Death of a Unicorn"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says pitting unicorns against humans is a pretty dicey proposition.
Movies in a Minute: "Snow White"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the live-action version of Disney's classic "Snow White" echos the original, but doesn't do it justice.
Movies in a Minute: "Novocaine"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that in "Novocaine," Jack Quade's lack of pain is your gain.
Movies in a Minute: "Mickey 17"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Mickey 17" director Bong Joon Ho skates on the edge of Stanley Kubrick's best work.
Movies in a Minute: "Flow"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Flow" proves that a film doesn't have to have dialog to tell a brilliant story. The film won the Academy Award for best animated feature.
Movies in a Minute: "Last Breath"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Last Breath" is like few rescue films today.
Movies in a Minute: "Captain America Brave New World"
UpdatedIs "Captain America Brave New World" a decent film? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that while Anthony Mackie is a fine replacement for Chris Evans, the movie itself is too muddled.
Movies in a Minute: "Heart Eyes"
UpdatedIs "Heart Eyes" a horror movie or is it a romance flick? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the film wasn't faithful to either genre.
Movies in a Minute: "Flight Risk"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, wouldn't call "Flight Risk" the worst movie of the year, but......
Movies in a Minute: This Oscar season, musicals are "pop u lar!"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says this year two musicals have been nominated for Best Picture - the first time that has happened in 60 years.
Movies in a Minute: "Wolf Man"
UpdatedIs it possible to fight off a monster with a kitchen knife, in a desolate place with no cell service? And in the DARK???? Well...... maybe, or maybe not. In "Wolf Man," Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says the folks being stalked do everything wrong.
Movies in a Minute: "Better Man"
UpdatedFor a movie featuring a primate as a rock star, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says "Better Man" doesn't monkey around.
Movies in a Minute: "Babygirl"
UpdatedWhat happens when the intern hits on the boss? Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Babygirl" may hold the answer.
Movies in a Minute: "The Brutalist"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "the Brutalist" is a film that will stand the test of time and remind others just how important creativity is to the moviemaking process.
Movies in a Minute: "Nosferatu"
UpdatedYou can't say Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller didn't warn you.... DON'T watch "Nosferatu" after dark.
Movies in a Minute: "A Complete Unknown"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that while "A Complete Unknown" is a respectful screen biography of Bob Dylan, it would be better served with a little less music and a little more grit.
Movies in a Minute: "Nickel Boys"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says “Nickel Boys” may seem jarring at first. But once you understand this is a slice of life, not the product of some writer’s imagination, you can dig in and appreciate this stunning work of of cinematography.
Movies in a Minute: "Moana 2"
UpdatedEven though Auli’l Cravalho, the voice of Moana, sings the heck out of her songs, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says “Moana 2” has such a similar trajectory to the original that it almost looks like a remake.
Movies in a Minute: "We Live in Time"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Smile 2"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Saturday Night"
UpdatedIs "Saturday Night," a genesis story of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," the best movie of the year? Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says it's a contender.
Movies in a Minute: "Joker: Folie `a Deux"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Joker: Folie `a Deux," a music-filled movie, was a good idea, but it had nowhere to go.
Movies in a Minute: "Megalopolis"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Megalopolis" is "classic, removed and, at times, overdone." (and those are his nice comments)
Movies in a Minute: "Transformers One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Transformers One" is an origins story that details how the whole idea came about. The film looks good, runs less than two hours and doesn’t make you feel like you’ve entered some strange new world.
Movies in a Minute: "Speak No Evil"
Updated"Speak No Evil" is visually messy and disjointed. It becomes one of those horror films that makes you want to scream at the screen.
Movies in a Minute: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that when Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton’s crazy-haired bio-exorcist, appears all is right in the crazy world of this sequel to 1988's "Beetlejuice." But be forewarned - if you're not familiar with the original movie, you may have some catching up to do.
Movies in a Minute: "Reagan"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Reagan" squeezes too much drama into one film. It's a CliffsNotes approach to history just hitting the highlights and quickly moving on.
Movies in a Minute: "Blink Twice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says if you put a bunch of people on an island just about anything can happen..... and, in "Blink Twice," it does.
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Alien: Romulus" isn’t afraid to throw in a good ol’ popcorn surprise when you least expect it. You don’t have to know a thing about the earlier “Alien” films to enjoy this one.
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
Updated"It Ends with Us” becomes yet another protracted romance in which no one is honest and open. It’s an OK relationship drama, it just didn’t need more than two hours to make its point.
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Trap" is an interesting concept, particularly since it plays on understandable fears.
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the Marvel film for everyone who has grown weary of superheroes and their overly long stories. Teaming with Jackman was a brilliant move. The yin and yang of the new Marvel Universe can take on everyone and still manage a smirk.
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Twisters" whips up plenty of action to be one of the best movies this summer.
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Maxxxine" doesn’t accomplish much or really scare. It’s a visual treat but a scary movie dud. It’s merely an attempt for a director to walk in other’s shoes, not blaze new trails.
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Despicable Me 4" is all over the map, looking for something to stick. It’s fine for those with short attention spans but for everyone else it’s a mess to sort out.
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the joy of "A Quiet Place: Day One" is how well Lupita Nyong’o conveys every emotion without words. She’s a wonderful actress who makes you care about her, her cat and the law student, played by Joseph Quinn. When they’re in danger, we’re in danger. When they’re exhaling, we’re exhaling.
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment critic Bruce Miller says that while the action in “Thelma” may not be all that realistic, it’s highly entertaining and just the ticket for audiences tired of three-part dramas.
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
UpdatedJournal Entertainment Editor Bruce Miller says: Without the learning curve of the first film, "Inside Out 2" is more understandable and ready for Riley, the 13-year-old owner of said emotions, to put them to the test. It’s like playing a familiar game with more players.
Movies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" doesn’t try to deliver big messages, it's just a lot of fun.
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says “Summer Camp” doesn’t have a spark that could start a fire.
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
Updated"The Blue Angels" documentary shows us what it’s like to be the best of the best. For fans of air shows, it’s a great “rest of the story” production.
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" includes the best motion capture performance we’ve seen and, easily, the reason this film works so well. No matter how many “Planet of the Apes” films you’ve seen, this is the one to embrace.
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Fall Guy" rolls out every jaw-dropping stunt possible and manages to pull the curtain back on the movie industry.
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says that if you get an invitation to dinner from "Abigail" just say it got lost in the mail. She's a messy eater.
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Civil War" seems like a film designed to scare audiences into attention.
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Monkey Man" never sits still. The film is full of extreme close-up shots which are impossible to ignore and, often, easy to misread.
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" isn’t as good as previous mashups, but this, you might say, is the “Oppenheimer” of the monsterverse.
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Late Night With the Devil" toys with its audience and plays out much like an old-school talk show.
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Snack Shack" is Profane, constantly in motion and very retro. It’s the vacation you didn’t think you needed but sure were glad you took.
