Bob Odenkirk is back with a new action-packed role, trading the desert of Better Call Saul for the snowy streets of a deceptively quiet town. The film, titled Normal, has been generating significant buzz after its festival premiere. It brings Odenkirk together again with the creative force behind his Nobody movies and sets a major release date for audiences to mark on their calendars. We have gathered all the key details about the star-studded cast, the creative team, and how you can watch this kinetic neo-Western.
Normal Movie Release Information for Global Audiences
The thriller Normal will arrive in cinemas worldwide starting April 17, 2026. In the United States, the film will be distributed by Magnolia Pictures and is planned for a wide release across approximately 2,000 theaters. This makes it the largest theatrical release ever for the Magnolia studio.
For international viewers, release plans are also in place. The film will be available in Canada through Amazon MGM Studios. Global pre-sales have secured distribution with major companies like Sky Cinema for the United Kingdom, Metropolitan Filmexport for France, and Leonine Studios in Germany. Audiences in Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand will also be able to watch it through Amazon MGM Studios.
The movie had its world premiere earlier this year on September 7, 2025, as part of the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It received positive reactions from critics at the festival, with a current approval rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews.
Meet the Cast and Characters of Normal
The film features a strong ensemble cast led by Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses, a temporary lawman who takes a posting in the small town of Normal. He is joined by two major stars in supporting roles.
- Henry Winkler plays the Mayor of Normal. Winkler is widely recognized for his award-winning role as Gene Cousineau in HBO’s Barry and as the iconic Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in Happy Days.
- Lena Headey portrays a local named Moira. Headey is best known globally for her powerful performance as Cersei Lannister in the hit series Game of Thrones.
The cast is rounded out by several notable performers in key town roles:
- Billy MacLellan as Deputy Mike Nelson
- Ryan Allen as Blaine Anderson
- Brendan Fletcher as Keith
- Peter Shinkoda as Joe
- Jess McLeod as Alex
The Creative Team Behind the Camera
Normal reunites a successful team from Odenkirk’s previous action hits. The director is Ben Wheatley, known for genre films like Free Fire, High-Rise, and Kill List. The screenplay was written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of the John Wick franchise and the writer of Odenkirk’s Nobody films. Kolstad also co-created the story for Normal with Bob Odenkirk himself.
“The guy in Nobody is a powder keg… And the guy in Normal is probably more of a normal guy. He’s trying to do his job,” Odenkirk explained, highlighting the key difference between his two action roles.
The film is produced by Marc Provissiero, Derek Kolstad, and Bob Odenkirk. The musical score is composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and Ryder McNair.
Normal Movie Plot and Story Details
The official synopsis sets the stage for the action. The story follows Sheriff Ulysses, whose temporary assignment to the quiet Midwestern town of Normal was supposed to be a peaceful break from his personal and professional troubles. This calm is shattered when he responds to a botched bank robbery. The incident accidentally exposes a dark secret, revealing that the town is anything but what its name suggests.
Ulysses quickly finds that he can trust almost no one, with threats coming from unexpected directions, including his own deputies. To survive, this reluctant sheriff must rely on his wits and form unlikely alliances. The plot escalates further with the arrival of a dangerous outside group, the Japanese Yakuza, who have a vested interest in the town’s hidden activities. Critics who saw the film at TIFF described it as a mix of styles, starting with the darkly comic tone of a Coen Brothers film before shifting into intense, grindhouse-style action.
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How This Film Connects to Bob Odenkirk’s Other Work
For fans who discovered Bob Odenkirk as an action lead in the 2021 film Nobody and its 2025 sequel, Normal continues a successful partnership. It brings back the same key writer and producer, ensuring a similar blend of grounded character work and inventive action. However, Odenkirk has pointed out a clear distinction in the characters he plays.
In Nobody, he played Hutch Mansell, a former government assassin hiding a violent past. In Normal, Sheriff Ulysses is portrayed as more of an ordinary man who is hesitant and “gun-shy” from past mistakes, making him a more vulnerable and relatable protagonist. The film also continues a production connection to Canada, as it was shot on location in Winnipeg, Manitoba—the same city where Nobody was filmed.
The movie has already generated enough positive response that writer Derek Kolstad has mentioned early discussions about a potential sequel are underway.
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