Review By Liam Herschall — NewsTime News

Justin Kurzel’s The Order is a harrowing exploration of the rise of extremism, centering on the real-life story of The Order, a white supremacist terrorist group that operated in 1980s America. The film is a triumph of tension and storytelling, led by Jude Law’s gripping portrayal of FBI agent Terry Husk, whose relentless determination anchors the narrative. The screenplay weaves a chilling tale of domestic terror, examining the ideological roots of hatred and its horrifying consequences. But as much as I appreciated the film’s commitment to depicting the insidious spread of extremism, I found myself increasingly distracted by the filmmakers’ refusal to just say the obvious: they don’t like Donald Trump. Why are we dancing around this? Just come out with it, Justin. We all know what you're trying to say.

Nicholas Hoult gives a standout performance as Bob Mathews, the charismatic yet deeply unsettling leader of The Order. Hoult plays the role with an unnerving calm, making the character’s bursts of violence all the more shocking. The film’s portrayal of Mathews as both a leader and a zealot is compelling, and the screenplay does an admirable job of peeling back the layers of his radicalization. But for all its depth, The Order can’t help but wink a little too knowingly at its audience. A charismatic, populist leader, stirring up chaos with inflammatory rhetoric? You don’t need a decoder ring to see the parallels. And yet, for all the MAGA hats practically waving in the margins, no one in the film—or behind the camera—has the guts to just say they don’t like Donald Trump.

The cinematography is another highlight, painting the Pacific Northwest in hues of cold desolation, reflecting the moral barrenness of the story. Every frame feels deliberate, from the stark forests to the claustrophobic interiors of FBI safe houses. Kurzel crafts a world where even the air feels heavy with menace. And yet, as much as I admired the artistry on display, I couldn’t help but notice a certain… cowardice. The camera lingers on neo-Nazi paraphernalia next to American flags, but then stops just short of making the connection explicit. What’s the matter, filmmakers? Afraid to say “Trump” on the big screen? He doesn’t own the copyright on his name, you know. Pussy.

Hans Zimmer’s score is another masterstroke, swelling at just the right moments to heighten the tension without overpowering the story. The music underscores the growing urgency of Husk’s investigation, culminating in a breathtakingly tense final act. As the violins screeched and the drums thundered, I found myself totally taken put by the maddening coyness of it all. At one point, a character delivers a monologue about “leaders who thrive on division” while staring at a golden tower, and I nearly threw my popcorn in frustration. Just say it. Say “Donald Trump.” Say you don’t like him. There was just a whole election where you didn’t say anything! You just made this movie that’s about him without being about him. Boy, for an artist you sure are willing to cower behind symbolism, Justin.

In the end, The Order is a chilling and expertly crafted film that shines a light on an important and still-relevant chapter of American history. It’s a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked extremism, marred only by its creators’ inexplicable fear of calling things by their proper names. What could have been a bold statement is instead a game of cinematic charades.

Final rating: 4 stars for the movie, 0 stars for courage. Just say “Trump” next time, Justin. Trust me, the world will survive.

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