NORMAL – Generic, but with a Unique Concept

Review by Chadd Clubine

Normal might be the most fitting title for this film. Fans of Bob Odenkirk and action movies will likely find plenty to enjoy, but the overall experience feels surprisingly flat and generic. The premise shows flashes of originality, yet it’s short-lived and takes far too long to reach its destination. With Odenkirk’s talent, he deserves a much stronger script—while he excels in the action sequences, the story and dialogue come across as an afterthought. Between the uneven writing and uninspired music, this feels like a film better suited for a casual cable watch than a must-see event.

Lately, Bob Odenkirk has carved out a solid niche in the action genre. Between this film and the first two Nobody entries, there’s a clear throughline in how the action is staged and delivered—the slick shooting and sharp editing feel heavily inspired by John Wick. At 63, Odenkirk’s commitment is especially impressive, bringing a grounded physicality that suggests he’s doing much of the work himself. Of course, some suspension of disbelief is required; the film occasionally stretches credibility in how far it pushes his character’s capabilities. Still, when it leans into the action, it’s easy to overlook those shortcomings. Unfortunately, the film both opens and closes on a weaker footing, with flaws that are much harder to ignore once the adrenaline fades.

At just 90 minutes, the film oddly spends too much time on character and story development. There’s a clear attempt to build something more substantial beneath the action, but it never fully lands. Instead of adding depth, the influx of new characters makes the narrative feel more convoluted than compelling. The introduction of a Japanese mafia element is intriguing and ultimately helps carry the third act, but the first act struggles to find its footing. It lingers on character moments filled with stiff, unrealistic dialogue, making it difficult to feel immersed. Even the film’s sense of time feels disjointed, adding to the overall lack of cohesion. Strip more of that away and lean into what works—the focused, kinetic energy of the second act—and the film would be far more effective.

Once the film’s core concept is revealed in the second act, it finally kicks into gear. The line between who is good and bad begins to blur, raising the stakes and making the action far more engaging. Bob Odenkirk leans fully into the role, evolving into a one-man army. That said, just as you have to suspend disbelief for the action itself, the reactions of the supporting characters can feel equally implausible. The villains spell out their motives in exhaustive detail rather than simply eliminating the threat, which ultimately makes them feel more cartoonish than credible. It’s tough to believe many of them would genuinely struggle against Odenkirk. Still, his on-screen likability goes a long way—once the film finds its rhythm, it becomes much easier to buy into what the second act is selling.

Unfortunately, the momentum of the second act is short-lived, giving way to a third act that veers into even more absurd territory. Rather than building on what made the middle section compelling—particularly with the bank robbers—the film doubles down on excess as it attempts to resolve the Japanese mafia storyline. The action remains well-shot and tightly choreographed, but many of the creative choices surrounding the characters feel illogical and ultimately unsatisfying. By the time the film reaches its epilogue, it’s left juggling more questions than answers, settling for an ending that aims for a sense of closure, but never quite earns it.
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Overall, Normal delivers where it counts in the action department, but falls short of offering anything we haven’t seen before. Bob Odenkirk continues to prove he has the makings of a standout action star, though his talent deserves a much stronger script. The second act stands as the film’s clear high point—even if it takes too long to get there. If you’re able to look past the uneven drama and take the action at face value, there’s still a good time to be had.

Normal is in theaters April 17th!

RATING: 2.5/5