Bob Odenkirk has quietly become an unexpected action hero. If you love the Nobody films or John Wick, Normal might be your kind of town, but there’s nothing normal about it.

Odenkirk plays an unassuming fill-in sheriff in a town that seems idyllic, maybe a little too perfect. He arrives in the fictional town of Normal, Minnesota, to help a local department reeling from the sudden and not at all suspicious death of its beloved sheriff. Until a new election can be held, Odenkirk’s character is tasked with holding down the fort. We quickly learn he’s a bit down on his luck, a mostly retired sheriff who drifts from town to town, lending a hand wherever he’s needed.

Bob Odenkirk in NORMAL, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

An astute observer, he soon notices that something feels off about the townspeople, especially during the memorial service where he meets the smarmy yet charismatic mayor, played with precision by Henry Winkler. It doesn’t take long before the story pulls our “replacement” sheriff into places he likely wishes he hadn’t gone.

That’s the thing about this film. The pacing is sharp, and the story develops quickly. Which is a good thing, because coming from the mind behind John Wick and Nobody, audiences expect action and plenty of it. While the first act lays the groundwork, things escalate fast once Act 2 kicks in with explosive intensity. A routine call to a local savings and loan quickly spirals into chaos, though not quite in the way you would expect.

If the first act feels a bit slow, stick with it. The payoff in the second and third acts is more than worth it. What follows feels like John Wick dialed up to ten.

Bob Odenkirk in NORMAL, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Odenkirk thrives in roles like this. Always unassuming, even though by now we know his characters are bound to find trouble, he still manages to surprise with action sequences that feel almost superhuman, yet grounded in a uniquely human way only he can deliver.

As the film unfolds, it becomes clear this is a one-man-against-the-world story. Still, Odenkirk’s magnetic performance brings heart to the chaos, delivering small but meaningful redemption arcs for unexpected characters. At its core, it’s an anti-hero story about a man just trying to get by without causing too much trouble, even if he ends up causing a whole lot of it.

The special effects are convincing, and the film’s arsenal alone could stock a medium-sized armory. But it is not just about guns and flash-bangs. There are also some incredibly well-choreographed hand-to-hand combat scenes that elevate the action. Simply put, Odenkirk remains a badass.

While this may not be a film for the violence-averse, it is an exhilarating thrill ride that builds to a satisfying conclusion. Grab your crew and enjoy another Odenkirk gem.