Bob Odenkirk once again proves that he is now an action star as he kicks serious butt in the hilarious, action packed Normal.
Bob Odenkirk solidified himself as a true action star in Nobody, then once again with Nobody 2, and now he has shown he is here to stay in this genre with Normal. It’s an action-packed adrenaline rush that never slows down once the action starts. A perfect blend of comedy and insane fight sequences, Normal does not disappoint.
This movie starts off hilarious as Ulysses navigates a town that feels off from the jump. He is an interim Sheriff who is holding down the fort after the unexpected death of the town of Normal’s Sheriff. Used to just keeping his head down until the job is over, he is thrown into a whirlwind of crazy as he must fight for his life to make it out alive.
Knowing that this is from the writer of John Wick, it comes as no surprise that the environment is used in nearly every fight sequence. There is a certain kind of glee that I get from seeing everything in a kitchen used in the course of minutes. Normal is bloody, bonkers, and a total blast. The fight sequences just get better and better as nearly everything in sight is used in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Bob Odenkirk has certainly kept in shape over the last several years, adding a dashing energy to this sheriff that audiences will immediately find themselves rooting for. He is a kind man who also isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to protect the innocent. He has always had leading man energy, but it is thrilling to see him continue to take stunts and fight choreography so seriously and excel at it.
The plot might be a little bit on the basic and predictable side, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. There is a simple message here about doing the right thing and having an open mind. At times the smallmindedness of a small town are highlighted, but that is not the main focus of the story. It does, however, mean that we get some incredible scenes from Bob Odenkirk and Jess McLeod that are equal parts emotional and powerful.
The first act of this film leans heavily into the comedy, and it nails it. The timing is impeccable as there are several laugh-out-loud moments that will be enjoying in a theater. At the same time, the action takes things to the next level over and over again – making Normal a complete joy to watch. The cinematic choices are brilliant, as there are several angles and shots during the fight sequences that made me squeal with glee.
On top of that the score elevates many of the scenes, making this movie practically beg to be seen on the big screen. Bob Odenkirk is here to stay as an action star, and I truly cannot wait to see what this man does next. Do not miss out on seeing this one in theaters, because you will have the time of your life on this wild ride.
About Normal
For Sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake.
Normal played at SXSW 2026.
NEXT: SXSW 2026: 20 Films That We Cannot Wait To See
Bob Odenkirk once again proves that he is now an action star as he kicks serious butt in the hilarious, action packed Normal.
-
8
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.