“Sadly there’s an obvious strand of truth that goes from then to now”: Jude Law and Justin Kurzel on The Order

Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel (Nitram, The True History of the Kelly Gang) leans further into his aptitude for telling character-driven, true crime stories within the trappings of the thriller genre with The Order. Penned by Zach Baylin based on research documented in the book The Silent Brotherhood by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, the story unearths a dark but unnervingly recent corner of American history, when a white supremacist terrorist group known as The Order came dangerously close to fostering a racially motivated revolution in the States back in the 80s.

Jude Law dives headfirst into the role of world-weary veteran FBI Terry Husk whose hopes of a quieter life are scuppered when he finds himself thigh-deep in an investigation into the neo-Nazi group’s activities. He’s pitted against fellow Brit Nicholas Hoult who plays the movement’s charismatic leader Bob Mathews. The nuance brought to each of their portrayals creates a parallel of sorts between the two men despite occupying two ends of a moral spectrum, both emerging as leaders in their own realms. Full of tension, suspense and finely executed yet contained heist sequences that eschew melodrama, the feature raises questions about how hatred and intolerance can infiltrate society, how a crisis of masculinity can put young white men in particular at risk of being lured to ideological extremism, and the importance of standing up for justice, even when it comes at a personal cost. With events as recent as the Capitol riots and Trump’s re-election to the President’s office, the film’s relevance is keenly felt in each and every frame.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of sitting down with Law, who also produced the film, to hear about the genesis of the project. He praised the script for intertwining historical true crime with relevance to today’s societal issues, and expressed his admiration for Kurzel’s approach to depicting complex characters and familial dynamics without judgment, highlighting his skill in humanising ostensibly villainous characters and executing action sequences under budget constraints. Discussing his role, Law aimed to portray his character as battle-worn yet facing his toughest challenge, reflecting broader societal concerns, and described how he worked with Hoult on their opposing dynamic. He also touched upon his career evolution, moving from perceived heartthrob roles to more gritty, complex characters, and embracing producing to steer projects like this with potential for future exploration.

We also heard from Kurzel during Marrakech Film Festival about how The Order was inspired by 70s American genre films and based on true events of heists in the 80s funding America’s first terrorist group. He expressed the relevance of these events today, especially in light of recent political unrest. The Australian director highlighted his collaborative excitement with Law, who approached him for the project, and delved into the research required to bring authenticity to the story. He also discussed his filmmaking style, focusing on true, character-driven stories, and the dynamic between characters representing opposing moral spectrums. Kurzel reflected on the challenges and joys of shooting action scenes with limited resources and the importance of addressing contemporary issues such as radicalisation and masculinity through cinema. 

Sarah Bradbury

The Order is released nationwide on 27^th December 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Order here: