Sovereign

I guess many people now can sympathise with the premise of this film: a man fighting big government to keep his house and live as a human. He teaches his homeschooled son only in the ways government ignore individual rights.

I personally sympathise with this..though I'm UK born. I was charged for a free teacher training course that it was impossible to prevent paying for, because the government can take cash directly out of your salary even if you are in dispute. I fought the government for 4 years to legally bring my wife into the country under European freedom of movement. You realise when it comes to politics the government don't care about the law, and they can fight in the courts forever because they have endless tax payers cash. When my wife had depression and became violent, I tried to get help, and being a man authorities(social services) ignored police reports and photos (I'd been stabbed a couple of times) and considered me the problem. Absolutely no due process I'm sure many people are in my position of seeing how the law is empty because the authorities break the law, ignore the law and have made it extremely difficult for the average person to get justice. Indeed now I live off grid in Africa and finally feel some freedom. Indeed I never realised how absolutely crazy and ruthlessly controlling the UK is until I lived in Africa for a while.

So, this film is important. But it isn't exciting. Definitely slow burn. Feel like it's balanced cos this guy is definitely on the fringe and occasionally pushes into unacceptable territory, but it does tie in to something I'm sure many in the west feel today - the need to bow your head to oppressive government that isn't quite following the law.

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.

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.

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.

Sovereign has a killer concept but stumbles, earning a 6/10 for a bloated setup and a rushed payoff that left me feeling for the boy.

This crime thriller, rooted in the 2010 West Memphis shootings, follows Jerry Kane (Nick Offerman), a sovereign citizen zealot, and his son Joe (Jacob Tremblay), defying government authority. The concept - exploring anti-government extremism - is bold, but Christian Swegal's script drags, spending 75 minutes establishing a 20-minute story.

The slow-burn setup, while atmospheric, feels overstretched, leaning on repetitive rhetoric. The final 20 minutes ignite with tragic intensity, delivering raw emotion, especially for Joe's plight, but it's too late to fully salvage the pace.

Offerman is magnetic, blending charisma and menace, while Tremblay's vulnerable Joe tugs heartstrings, making his arc gut-wrenching. Dennis Quaid's police chief is solid but underused. Swegal's direction crafts a gritty, tense vibe with stark visuals, but uneven pacing and thin supporting characters hold it back.

Sovereign could've been a stunner with tighter storytelling and deeper focus on Joe's tragedy. Still, it's worth a watch for its strong leads and chilling climax.