The Order

There was a time when cop movies had some real grit to them—films that left you feeling like you needed a shower afterward. Dirty Harry is the first that comes to mind, but over time, cop movies started to get a little glossier, with action taking precedence over the police work. Justin Kurzel’s new film The Order captures that earlier era’s rough essence, drawing you into a world that focuses not on shootouts and explosions but on solving a case. It’s a throwback to the days when Harry Callahan was daring criminals to make his day.

Set in the early 1980s, The Order begins with a disgruntled FBI agent, Terry Husk (Jude Law), reassigned to a deserted office in the Pacific Northwest. The reasons for his transfer aren’t immediately clear, but it doesn’t take long for Terry to uncover criminal activity pointing to a local white supremacist group known as “The Order.” Led by Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), this group isn’t just about hateful rhetoric—they’re involved in bank robberies and operate a sophisticated counterfeiting ring as part of a larger, more sinister plan.

Terry teams up with a local deputy, Jamie (Tye Sheridan), who happens to have gone to high school with some of the group’s members. Jamie provides the leads Terry needs to start unraveling the case. However, the tight-knit community proves to be a significant roadblock. Despite these challenges, Terry pushes forward, and as the full scope of the group’s activities is revealed, more FBI agents join him to dismantle their operation. This all builds to a high-stakes showdown as Terry and his team uncover The Order’s ultimate plan.

Written by Zach Baylin and based on the book The Silent Brotherhood by Gary Gerhardt and Kevin Flynn, The Order serves as a window into a dark, forgotten corner of America. The film is a thriller at its core, delivering both gripping action and a compelling story. The gritty tone feels authentic, thanks in part to the time period in which the story takes place. There was no internet or cellphones to aid the cops or criminals, it was all paper trails and foot work. But rather than raising a moralizing finger, the film invites viewers to question the deeper issues behind the narrative.

The Order is an excellent cat-and-mouse game, a captivating action thriller that might make you forget it’s based on true events. Kurzel, along with cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, presents a visually stunning film, contrasting the untouched beauty of nature with the harsh cruelty of white supremacist ideology. Kurzel demonstrates his talent for crafting tense and realistic action scenes while maintaining the humanity of the characters—making them relatable, even if their ideologies are abhorrent.

Both Hoult and Law deliver outstanding performances. Law commands every scene he’s in, proving that this type of role suits him perfectly. Hoult, as the menacing Bob Mathews, provides a chilling counterpoint, who can bring about a calm sense of terror with only a silent look.

Ultimately, The Order is a well-crafted procedural and a slick thriller that leaves you wanting more movies to follow in it’s dirty footsteps.