How’d You Like that Movie is based in Cambridge, which means we spend the weekend snowed in, so this week we are bringing you a film you can watch at home. The Order stars Jude Law and Nicholas Holt and is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Kris’s review
The Order is tightly wound film about white nationalist domestic terrorism in the United States during the '80s.
Based on true events, it stars Jude Law as an FBI agent trying to track down a splinter group of the Aryan Nation (The Order) led by Bob Mathews played by Nicholas Hoult.
Filmed on location in Alberta, and showcasing the natural beauty of the Rockies this movie is made to look like its shot on '80s-era film stock.
If you are of a certain age, you can almost smell and taste the cigarette smoke in the rooms. I got a True Detective Season One vibe which was warranted as the cinematographer Adam Arkapaw shot that as well.
Directed by Justin Kurzel and screenplay taken from the book The Silent Brotherhood by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, The Order slowly, tensely and deliberately unfolds until is violent conclusion. Its part drama, part police procedural and part social commentary but never boring or slow.
The acting is superb as both British actors Law and Hoult disappear into their American characters. The chemistry and connectivity between the two is reminiscent of Pacino and Di Nero in Michael Mann's heist classic Heat.
This is a sold 7.5 maybe even 8 out of 10. Currently available on Prime Video
Scott’s take
If you’re in the mood for a gripping thriller based on true events, this one is a must-watch.
What makes it so compelling is how it fires on all cylinders, delivering a tense and immersive experience that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The performances are top-notch.
Jude Law shines as a washed-up FBI agent trying to stay one step ahead, bringing a layered, world-weary intensity to the role. But it’s Nicholas Hoult who delivers the most chilling performance, embodying the enigmatic and deeply unsettling leader of a domestic terrorist sect. His portrayal is haunting, capturing both the charisma and menace of his character with an eerie authenticity.
What truly stands out, though, is Justin Kurzel’s direction. Many films in this genre rely on over-the-top action sequences, packed with massive explosions and endless shootouts.
While The Order has its share of intense action, it takes a more measured, realistic approach. Instead of constant spectacle, it builds suspense through a gripping game of cat and mouse, where nothing is quite what it seems. This makes for a more immersive and thought-provoking experience, pulling the audience deeper into the psychological and moral complexities of the story.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s both tense and intelligent, The Order delivers. It’s a film that lingers with you, not just because of its explosive moments, but because of the unsettling questions it raises about extremism, power, and the fragility of law and order.
4 stars out of 5
If you want something a little less serious but still fun check out Jeremy Saulnier’s (Blue Ruin, Green Room) film Rebel Ridge on Netflix. It stars Aaron Pierre and Don Johnson. We have deep dives on both these films wherever you get your podcast.
Scott Veiga and Kris Langford are friends and movie lovers that host the Cambridge-based podcast How’d You Like that Movie?, a show full of hot takes on current blockbusters, indie darlings and classics. For a deeper dive into these film and others, check Scott and Kris out at Howdyoulikethatmovie.com, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.