Sovereign

Just watched Sovereign (2024) and found it to be a well-crafted tragedy. It's a haunting exploration of father/son dynamics, with Nick Offerman as a delusional, anti-government father grooming his teenage son for a future he doesn't want-but doesn't have much choice in. Inspired by true events, the film is a slow burn-there's action, but it takes its time building tension and developing its characters. It's melancholy, tense, and beautifully acted, with a supporting cast including Dennis Quaid, Nancy Travis, and Martha Plimpton-an interesting mix of talent that totally works. An impressive directorial debut from Christian Swegal.

So apt for the world we are living and an important portrayal of an element of society that poses an eternal threat to that society.

Since reading about Timothy McVeigh years ago I've always been somewhat fascinated by the disassociated, those who drift further and further into their very own world of indoctrination and delusion. I know people of that ilk, albeit mild in nature by comparison. I'd imagine everyone knows at least one.

Contrary to other comments, I liked the pacing. The acting was excellent. Offerman totally convincing and memorable. Every conspiracy theorist should be made to watch movies like this to see where delusion can lead to.

In stark 'inspired by truth' middle-America drama "Sovereign" Nick Offerman (great) defiantly lives by his version of the law rather than the government's - but his angry protestations (and friends like Martha Plimpton) don't stop the bank coming for the house he shares with teen son Jacob Tremblay (quietly strong) and life gets fraught for them both, leading to confrontation with cops like Thomas Mann (son of police chief Dennis Quaid & wife Nancy Travis). Christian Swegal's directorial debut (that he also wrote (after 2018's "Proud Mary")) is slow-burn cold, but ultimately delivers a gut punch. Not for adrenaline junkies or feel-gooders, this is tho a terrific film in its way.

My daughter and I are both attorneys who lecture on the "sovereign citizen" movement. We're also published in this area. This is about as close as you'll get to this one horrible case based on facts. Other sov cits are mostly down on their luck looking to content creators who hold seminars on line or in hotels as seen here. They are found in 11 countries and NONE OF THEIR METHODS HAVE EVER WORKED! No one ever got off at trial, got paid by their "secret trust", saved their house or car. You need a license, registration & insurance & no, you're not "traveling" in "the private". Don't get taken in by it.

I saw this movie in theaters with a group of friends, all of us born and raised here in the Midwest. Afterwards the mood was pretty somber because everyone in the group recognized scenes from their own family upbringing. The kid sitting in the backseat listening to Dad rant about the government, cops being trained to immediately rely on overwhelming force, all of it building a system that pushes normal people into potentially violent situations over and over again until eventually somebody pulls a trigger. If you grew up in a working last neighborhood, I can guarantee you're gonna recognize some family members in these characters and chances are that you'll sympathize with each of the main characters. It's a great movie, but it's not a fun movie to watch.