Bob Odenkirk’s Normal Premieres at TIFF: A Brutal New Action Thriller from Ben Wheatley

Bob Odenkirk is back in action — literally. Following the success of Nobody and its sequel, the actor premiered his latest film Normal at the Toronto Film Festival (Midnight Madness) to a rowdy and enthusiastic crowd. Early reactions suggest Odenkirk has delivered another hard-hitting action spectacle, cementing his status as an unlikely but thrilling late-blooming action star.

The Story of Normal

In the film, Odenkirk plays Sheriff Ulysses, a substitute sheriff in a small Minnesota town after the mysterious death of the former lawman. Initially tasked with maintaining peace, Ulysses soon finds himself confronting chaos when the Yakuza arrive in town. What begins with a bloody prologue in Japan quickly escalates into non-stop carnage, with shootouts, betrayals, and explosive set pieces.

The sheriff refuses to bend to the town’s crooked mayor (Henry Winkler), instead fighting back with grit, guns, and unexpected allies. As the violence escalates, the film transforms into a modern western, echoing classics like High Noon and Bad Day at Black Rock.

Behind the Camera

Directed by Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Free Fire, Meg 2), the film follows his trademark approach: a slow-burn opening leading into shocking, over-the-top violence. The screenplay comes from Derek Kolstad, creator of Nobody and John Wick, co-written with Odenkirk himself.

Cast and Characters

• Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses

• Henry Winkler as the corrupt Mayor

• Lena Headey as Moira, the sharp-witted bar owner

• Jess McLeod as Deputy Alex

• Ryan Allen as Blaine Anderson, deputy with political ambitions

• Brendan Fletcher and Reena Jolly, who become unlikely allies in the firefight

With strong performances across the board, Odenkirk once again anchors the film, delivering a balance of toughness and vulnerability that has made his action career so compelling.

Visuals and Style

Shot by cinematographer Armando Salles, Normal features a striking snowy landscape and storm-filled backdrops that enhance its modern western aesthetic. The result is a stylish, violent, and atmospheric thriller.

Final Verdict

Normal proves that Bob Odenkirk is here to stay as an action movie powerhouse. Combining Wheatley’s flair for brutal spectacle with Kolstad’s knack for tense storytelling, the film delivers a relentless festival of mayhem that could surpass even Nobody.

Normal

• Director: Ben Wheatley

• Writer: Derek Kolstad (story by Kolstad & Odenkirk)

• Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Jess McLeod, Ryan Allen, Brendan Fletcher, Reena Jolly

• Runtime: 90 minutes

• Festival: Toronto Film Festival – Midnight Madness