The Order (2024): review

The Order (2024) draws on the history of a real far-right terrorist group. Director Justin Kurzel tackles white supremacist terrorism in the United States through the story of the organization known as The Order, whose robberies and attacks spread fear across the Pacific Northwest in the early 1980s.

Set in 1983, the film follows FBI agent Terry Husk, played by Jude Law, as he investigates a series of violent crimes. He soon realizes that these are not ordinary criminal operations but a coordinated campaign driven by extremist ideology. The group's leader, Robert Jay Mathews, is played by Nicholas Hoult as a charismatic fanatic prepared to impose his racist beliefs through violence.

The film relies on dense, atmospheric tension more than conventional action. Psychological maneuvering and painstaking investigative work take precedence over exaggerated gun battles, leading Husk into morally uncertain territory. The story conveys the difficulty of infiltrating a group shaped by paranoia and fanaticism. The direction is bleak, using cold, spare images to suggest a growing threat. Particularly disturbing are the group's internal dynamics and the depth of its members' conviction and willingness to commit violence.

Jude Law gives a nuanced performance. His Husk is not an unshakable hero but a man increasingly disturbed by the group's brutality and ruthlessness. Nicholas Hoult brings a troubling mixture of charisma and madness to Mathews. He is more than a flat villain: he sees himself as the leader of a revolution and is ready to sacrifice everything for his beliefs. Supporting performances from Tye Sheridan and Jurnee Smollett fit convincingly into the story, although a few characters could have used more depth.

Kurzel's precise, restrained direction suits the oppressive subject. The camera often stays close to the characters, intensifying the sense of constant danger. The music is understated but effective, deepening the atmosphere without forcing itself into the foreground.

The Order's subject remains painfully relevant, showing the danger posed by groups consumed by ideology. It avoids pat answers and asks uncomfortable questions about radicalization, fanaticism and the limits of law enforcement. Despite minor weaknesses, particularly in some supporting characterizations, this is a forceful thriller that gets under the skin and lingers afterward.