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Bob Odenkirk’s Normal Opens Nationwide With Strong Early Notices

The mid-budget action thriller showcases a character-first approach from writer Derek Kolstad with Ben Wheatley at the helm.

Overview

  • Normal, which opened in U.S. theaters Friday via Magnolia Pictures, holds roughly a 76–77% Rotten Tomatoes score from early reviews.
  • The film follows an interim sheriff in a snowy Minnesota town who uncovers a hidden criminal pipeline after a botched bank heist reveals deeper ties.
  • Ben Wheatley directs from a Derek Kolstad screenplay based on a story by Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk, and the Motion Picture Association rates the film R for strong bloody violence and language.
  • Critics often praise Odenkirk’s grounded lead turn and the punchy, practical action, while noting uneven tone, familiar twists, and limited stakes in the back half.
  • Henry Winkler and Lena Headey co-star, and the Minnesota setting was filmed in Winnipeg, reflecting the project’s lean, practical production style.