When Normal Turns Abnormal: A Bloody Battle Unfolds in Ben Wheatley’s ‘Normal’

A quiet town covered in snow. A population of just 1,890. Almost no crime, friendly residents, ordinary shops and a seemingly approachable mayor. So what exactly does a newly appointed sheriff have to do in a place like this?

For Ulysses Richardson (Bob Odenkirk), the job appears simple: sign paperwork, handle minor problems and leave town after completing his six-week assignment. At least, that is the plan.

But despite being called “Normal,” the town is anything but normal. Beneath its peaceful surface lie greed, guns, violence, corruption and a network of hidden dealings. And in the middle of it all arrives a sheriff who is not particularly optimistic about his own life.

Ben Wheatley’s ‘Normal’ is primarily an action-comedy, but it also works as a satire of several contradictions within small-town American life. The screenplay comes from Bob Odenkirk and Derek Kolstad, the writer behind the ‘John Wick’ franchise and Odenkirk’s ‘Nobody’ films.

So comparisons with ‘Nobody’ and ‘John Wick’ are inevitable. Yet Odenkirk’s character here is not a retired assassin or a secretly dangerous action hero. At least, not at first. He is genuinely an ordinary man.

An Ordinary Sheriff in an Unusual Town

Ulysses’ own life is far from normal. He is separated from his wife and still carries the burden of a violent incident from his previous job. His philosophy toward life and work is equally detached: life becomes easier when you simply worry less.

His goal in Normal is straightforward—leave the town exactly as he found it and move on once his assignment is over.

That tired, slightly defeated middle-aged man becomes one of the film’s biggest attractions. Bob Odenkirk once again shows how effective his combination of deadpan humor and physical action can be.

Like Saul Goodman in ‘Better Call Saul’ and Hutch Mansell in ‘Nobody,’ Ulysses would rather avoid trouble. Unfortunately, circumstances keep pushing him toward violence.

That contrast between his reluctance and the chaos around him is where Odenkirk’s performance becomes particularly entertaining.

The Mystery Slowly Emerges

It does not take long to realize that Normal is not as peaceful as it appears.

The recently deceased former sheriff died under suspicious circumstances. His house is unusually large. The police department has an arsenal that seems excessive for such a small town. A locked room in a hardware store, an elderly woman listening to police scanners and an unusual number of guns hanging inside local businesses all add to Ulysses’ suspicion.

Then two unfortunate criminals arrive to rob the town bank.

What initially looks like a routine robbery quickly spirals into something much bigger.

The townspeople, the police and even the mayor gradually appear to turn against Ulysses. Courtesy disappears almost instantly, replaced by gunfire.

That is when ‘Normal’ truly comes alive.

Guns, Explosions and Black Comedy

Ben Wheatley previously turned a confined gunfight into an impressive piece of black comedy with ‘Free Fire.’ That same energy returns here.

Snowstorms, police lights, explosions, gunfire and bodies flying in every direction make the action sequences entertaining to watch.

Sometimes Ulysses fights with a kitchen tool, sometimes a shotgun and sometimes much heavier weapons. Whatever happens to be within reach becomes a weapon.

Watching an apparently harmless-looking Odenkirk fight brutally inside a diner or stand holding a gun is one of the film’s strongest selling points.

His serious expression against the sheer absurdity and violence surrounding him repeatedly creates comic moments.

Satire Hidden Beneath the Violence

The violence in ‘Normal’ is not merely there for entertainment. The film also exaggerates several real-world tendencies associated with small-town America.

Economic stagnation, social division, gun culture and an increasingly rigid “us versus them” mentality all become part of the film’s satire.

Hundreds of guns decorate the walls of local bars and restaurants. When Ulysses asks whether they are loaded, the response comes with a smile: what would be the fun if they were not?

That kind of humor defines ‘Normal.’ The film rarely tries too hard to make the audience laugh. Instead, it presents absurd situations in an oddly matter-of-fact way, making them even funnier.

There are political undertones as well. The story of Alex (Jess McLeod), the teenage child of the former sheriff, highlights the town’s controlling nature and social divisions. Guns, self-defense, military culture and political polarization are also woven into the story.

But ‘Normal’ never turns these subjects into long political speeches. Often, the sound of gunfire does the talking.

‘Fargo’ Comparisons Are Inevitable

‘Normal’ inevitably brings ‘Fargo’ to mind.

The snowy Minnesota setting, quiet small-town atmosphere, eccentric characters and hidden criminal world create obvious similarities.

Even the name of the former sheriff, Gunderson, recalls the sheriff character from ‘Fargo.’

But ‘Normal’ does not completely follow ‘Fargo’s’ dark-comedy tone. Instead, it leans more toward the exaggerated action of ‘John Wick’ and the chaotic energy of ‘Free Fire.’

Where Does ‘Normal’ Fall Short?

The film has some clear weaknesses.

It introduces plenty of characters and story elements, but not all of them receive enough development. Ulysses’ past, his broken marriage, the tragedy at his previous job, Alex’s story and several local characters all have potential, yet the roughly 90-minute runtime leaves many of them underexplored.

As a result, some emotional moments fail to make the impact they could have had.

The comedy is also inconsistent. Some scenes are genuinely funny, while others feel familiar.

Another weakness is that several of the film’s twists can be anticipated fairly early. But ‘Normal’ is not really a mystery designed to keep viewers hooked simply to discover the answer.

Its real pleasure lies in watching those revelations transformed into bloody, strange and often hilarious action sequences.

Verdict

‘Normal’ may not bring much that feels completely new to the action genre. Still, its blend of dark comedy, action, thrills and Bob Odenkirk’s strong performance makes it an enjoyable watch.

The town may be called Normal, but almost nothing about it is normal—not its people, not its guns and certainly not the secrets hidden beneath its peaceful surface.

Rating: 7/10