Sovereign

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.

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.

A tense, absorbing character study that showcases Nick Offerman at his absolute best. Christian Swegal's debut feature, Sovereign, feels remarkably assured, smart, gripping, and full of striking little details that reward close attention. As an indie film, it makes the most of its modest scale to deliver a atmospheric experience that feels both personal and cinematic. Swegal leans into sharp writing, focused direction, and strong performances to build tension without relying on spectacle, proving that indie filmmaking, when done with this level of care and vision, can be just as impactful as big-budget thrillers. A confident, memorable thriller that lingers long after the credits roll.

Nick offerman's serious roles were first taken seriously in the season 1 episode of the last of us. That was one hour of pure class acting. I felt like watching this movie because of all the rave reviews for Offerman's acting. I didn't know it was based on a true story.

Within the first 15 minutes of the movie, we realise that the protagonist played by Nick is good at using legal terminology like probable cause, under duress, jurisdiction, promissory note etc. But none of it makes any sense. Still he finds substantial audience in all those who feel that are wronged by banks and this unfair system.

Caught in this illusion is his teenage son. The acting by Jacob Tremblay is quite brilliant. He portrays a son who adores his father but can't help question some of his logic.

The movie is balanced by the subplot about Sheriff's family and his own son joining the police force after completion of training.

All these characters collide with each other in a tragic climax. The movie shows devastating effects on the next generation if a parent is delusional and able to find an audience that encourages his delusion.

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.