The Wasteland Reviewer

Normal (2026) Written Review

What would you do if you became the interim sheriff of a small upper-midwestern town? There are not many people in the town of Normal, Minnesota but there are certainly plenty of characters. For Ulysses Richardson, this is his opportunity to reflect upon his past, mend his marriage, and lay back for a while. Normal seems like the type of town that is full of mundane shenanigans and not much else. But sometimes, there is an occurrence that is a little less mundane that opens up a whole new can of worms. Cover-ups, mysterious sums of fundings, and the Yakuza…Normal certainly tells the tale of a not-so-normal town with a new sheriff with a few tricks up his sleeve.

Does the screenplay by Derek Kolstad (story from star Bob Odenkirk) stand out? Well…when you get the creator of John Wick creating your world and characters, you are in for a treat. One of the biggest strengths of Normal is the well-conceived and realized small town with all types of firepower to protect a secret in the Normal town bank. The characters are also a wonderful batch of weirdos who make the film such a fun and eccentric experience. Ulysses is an intriguing character with his introspective inner monologues and messages to his estranged wife while having a few dangerous secrets of his own. The film builds intrigue from the mysterious death of the previous sheriff and explodes into a bonkers action thrill ride in its later half. The influences and motifs are clear as day, but Kolstad finds a few ways to add some unexpected narrative wrinkles and character dynamics to flip the script a little bit. There are some clever running gags, sharp banter, and some wild set-ups in the “kills” department which makes this film just so thoroughly entertaining.

How does director Ben Wheatley bring Kolstad’s vision to life? Wheatley is certainly a hit-or-miss director whose films always have potential but don’t always come together fully. Wheatley doesn’t miss out on delivering exactly what Normal is trying to be…a thrilling and fun crime-thriller. The film has a gloomy look as it accentuates the frigid, wintery vibe of this Minnesota town. But the film has an effective tactile feel to it with some wild practical effects and stunts that make the awkward violence feel grounded and more impactful. You might say Wheatley is channeling some Coens vibes for sure and that isn’t a bad thing (even if it is not the most original atmosphere or cinematic voice). The film balances the darkness of its themes and story with the dark humor of a sharp action flick and Wheatley does a fine job of balancing those elements. There is a rock-solid heart at the core of the film that Wheatley can cultivate (along with the cast). There are a few iffy moments, but the action is generally well realized, intense, and quite thrilling (with plenty of dark humor injected in). There are some fun needle drops, clever editing, and a variety of small details that bring this experience together in such a satisfying way.

What does the cast bring to the table? Odenkirk is the perfect actor to anchor in this film. His biting comedic timing is pitch perfect. He sells the physicality well. He also balances an empathetic charm with a darker edge that fits Normal perfectly. Odenkirk is thriving in this middle-aged actor action anti-hero lane so well. There are a few big names trickled in who make a good impact. Henry Winkler is great as the mayor who is both midwestern charming and has a nefarious undercurrent to his presence. Lena Headey portrays a roguish member of the small-town community quite well as she leaves an impression with a few scenes. Ryan Allen and Billy MacLellan are a pair of fun supporting performers who bring some fun personality to the town’s deputies at the police station. What really works with the film though is the excellent casting of this perfect ensemble. Each actor (no matter the size of their role) just finds the right character choices to make their minor character stand out when they are on screen.

Is Normal a new action comedy worth your time? That perfect Kolstad/Odenkirk combination gives Normal plenty to appreciate and enjoy. This is a hilarious film with good laughs and bonkers kills. Your jaw might get tired of dropping from all the fun shocking moments. This is not the deepest action films nor the freshest but it has its own charm and character that makes it an exciting and engaging 90-minutes at the theater.