When Nobody came out in 2021, some were apprehensive about the leap from comedy and drama to action for lead actor Bob Odenkirk. Then, when that film proved a success, it seemed like he was here to stay. Odenkirk has had a career journey like few others, and has some monumental achievements under his belt because of it, but this leap into action has been one of his finest achievements.
Directed by Ben Wheatley and written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad (with co-writing credits to Odenkirk), Normal is set in the frozen, snowy landscape of Normal, Minnesota. The film goes to great lengths to establish the normalcy–pardon the pun–of a small Midwestern town. Odenkirk is interim sheriff Ulysses, who is introduced talking to what appears to be his estranged wife. As he starts to acclimate to the town, he begins to see through the cracks in its veneer.
