The town may be called ‘Normal,’ but Bob Odenkirk’s unlikely action hero isn’t

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Bob Odenkirk has become known for playing unassuming characters who suddenly reveal surprising violent skills. Both he and writer Derek Kolstad seem drawn to this type of role – perhaps something to discuss in therapy! Their newest film, “Normal,” continues this trend, promising anything but a typical story.

What does “normal” really mean? In Ben Wheatley’s film, it’s the name of a typical American small town in Minnesota. Ulysses Richardson (played by Odenkirk) is the temporary sheriff there, filling in after the previous sheriff passed away. He’s charmed by the town’s idyllic, classic American feel, and describes everything in long voicemails to his wife – these messages act as the story’s narration.

Ulysses says everything appears peaceful and ordinary, but his words don’t align with what we actually see. This disconnect is established from the start with a prologue showing a clandestine meeting of yakuza. He points out how things seem normal while also noticing strange details – like a fully stocked, unlocked weapons room and a death certificate for the late Sheriff Gunderson (who we only see in pictures).

The name Gunderson immediately brings to mind “Fargo,” the acclaimed 1996 Coen brothers film starring Frances McDormand as the pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson. However, directly referencing a movie as brilliant and well-made as “Fargo” sets a high bar – your film needs to be equally good, or at least comparable. Unfortunately, “Normal” doesn’t quite reach that level.

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After a serious heart attack nearly five years ago, Bob Odenkirk is back in action movies with “Normal,” continuing a career full of surprises.

The show “Fargo” cleverly balanced the politeness of the Midwest with a surprisingly dark criminal world, creating a unique humor. “Normal” aims for the same effect, but doesn’t quite succeed. Simply avoiding the Minnesota accent and sprinkling in a few regional phrases – even with talented actors like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey – isn’t enough to capture that same feeling.

Wheatley’s film draws inspiration from both the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino. His previous work, particularly “Free Fire,” features the distinctive, darkly comedic violence Tarantino became known for with films like “Reservoir Dogs.” “Normal” continues this style, combining over-the-top action with carefully chosen music and dry humor.

The show shares a similar DNA with the work of David Kolstad, the creator of “John Wick.” He keeps revisiting a familiar story – an ordinary person unexpectedly reveals hidden talents – but this time adds ’90s touches. It draws inspiration from the setting of “Fargo” and the Japanese influences of Tarantino’s “Kill Bill,” featuring the yakuza in a Minnesota town. The local sheriff senses something is off, but hasn’t yet discovered this widespread secret.

The story shares some similarities with the film “The Wicker Man,” where an isolated community brings in what they think is an easy target – a police officer – to take the blame for something. However, Ulysses proves to be much more capable and skilled with a weapon than they anticipated. The biggest problem with this story is that it lacks genuine tension; you never really feel like the main character is in any real danger. Unlike “The Wicker Man,” it doesn’t manage to create that sense of peril.

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The story begins with a desperate couple robbing a bank, which unexpectedly leads to a long, snowy night of conflict. Soon, the whole town is against Ulysses, who finds an unlikely ally in Alex, the orphaned son of Sheriff Gunderson. While there’s a compelling contrast between fire and ice, the action sequences themselves are just adequate and have a generally grim tone.

This movie follows a very predictable pattern. The action starts around 40 minutes in, and a key character, Ulysses, is unexpectedly betrayed around the hour mark. Despite a lot of explanatory dialogue, the main takeaway is simply that guns shouldn’t be used as restaurant decorations.

It’s jarring and feels pointless to see so much violence, particularly because Ulysses is usually portrayed as a calm and reasonable person who avoids conflict. It seems odd that a character like him wouldn’t be horrified by all the innocent people caught in the crossfire, yet he simply responds by wanting a slice of pie.

While the constant violence can seem disturbingly detached, looking for explanations in a movie depicting police shooting civilians in Minnesota isn’t a better option, honestly.

Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

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2026-04-17 13:32