Soberano

Based on true events that occurred in West Memphis back in 2010, Christian Swegal's feature debut that tackles the complicated and confronting world of self-imposed "sovereign citizens" is a well acted and put together piece that doesn't shy away from the horrors of the incident it leads up too and the dangers of the movement it explores.

An uncompromisingly bleak affair, rightfully so when you consider the subject and true events that form the basis of the entire film, Sovereign creates an ever present atmosphere of slow dread and unease all built off its two leads Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay (almost unrecognisable now from his Room and Wonder days) who play father and son duo Jerry and Joe Kane.

Living a life of impending bank foreclosures on their property, road tripping around small towns spreading the sovereign message and general disdain for the way in which modern society functions and interacts, the Kane's lifestyle is one built around hatred and misguided senses of importance and the way in which Swegal and his two lead performers capture the Kane's world plays a huge part in why Sovereign becomes the impactful viewing experience it does.

Morphing more and more away from his Parks and Gardens persona that made him a household name around the world, Offerman in particular delivers an arguably career best turn here as the fiercely determined and unflappable Jerry who has shaped and moulded his only child to be a believer of his ideologies and belief systems as he traverses his way around a way of life that he will hold onto no matter the cost.

Bringing the perfect mix of quiet power and determination as well as genuine moments of outbursts and anger, Offerman looms large over the film and Tremblay's understated but perfectly evaluated performance is an impressive one from the child turned adult actor who clearly has what it takes to become one of the rare success stories of staying power in the industry after bursting onto the scene as an 8 year old in Room.

Sovereign may not do anything outstanding or noteworthy from a production standpoint and there are segments throughout the film that don't add great depth or meaning to the overall aim but by tackling a subject that's rarely been looked into on the big screen and by allowing its performers to ply their trade with emotional intelligence and ability, Sovereign is one of the years more memorable indies and a fine starting point for director Christian Swegal.

Final Say -

Culminating in an impactful and shocking final act, Sovereign is an expertly acted character driven drama that shines a light on a worrying movement that has managed to grow in stature in the years following the events depicted in Christian Swegal's feature.

3 1/2 white suits out of 5.

Christian Swegal's directorial debut is truly encouraging, delivering a highly political thriller based on a true story about "Sovereign Citizens." A raw, intelligent, and highly political thriller that won't be to everyone's taste, but is well worth a chance.

The film solidifies its cast, especially Nick Offerman, who delves into his dramatic side in a highly developed and masterfully performed role. A character study that takes us on a journey through an extremist capable of dominating everything around him. We also find Jacob Tremblay, who reconnects with all the dazzling talent he gave us in The Room, and here he once again sustains a film with his sheer acting and stage talent.

The work also involves supporting actors such as Dennis Quaid, Thomas Mann, and Martha Plimpton, who do not lose the interpretive power of their two protagonists.

It's a raw, slow-burning thriller. In the first half, we empathize and even understand certain aspects of the protagonist's debate, and in the second half, everything explodes, shattering all that empathy with a heartbreaking climax. Its director and screenwriter invite us to reflect on the extremism of the new right in a compelling film that fits precisely with the current global times.

This intense thriller is worth your time. It may not be entirely perfect, but it's daring, thoughtful, and uncomfortable, providing an addictive watch with all its strengths and weaknesses, but establishing one of those films that hopefully won't be forgotten in a rather interesting 2025.

A father and son, part of an antigovernment group, engaged in a standoff with a police chief.

That's the last five minutes. The movie is all about the son, a lonely teen homeschooled by his father in the arguments of Posse Comitatus and the like. He yearns for normality, tries to enroll in high school, nurses a crush on a girl, all while his father loses the house to a bank purely because of his fringe theories. This is a well acted (especially by Nick Offernan, who has the most tired eyes in Hollywood), well executed and saddest movie I've seen in years (comparable to Hell or High Water) with a devilish twist.

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.

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.