Venice Film Festival Unveils "The Order": A Chilling Look at American Extremism

The 92nd Venice Film Festival has become the stage for the world premiere of "The Order," a gripping thriller that delves into a dark chapter of American history. The film, set to debut on August 31, 2024, brings to light the story of a violent white supremacist group that operated in the early 1980s.

Jude Law takes on the role of an FBI agent tasked with investigating the group's criminal activities. The actor, who has previously earned two Academy Award nominations, also serves as a producer for the project. Law's character, Agent Huss, is a composite figure representing the collective efforts of law enforcement during this tumultuous period.

"What amazed me was it was a story I hadn't heard about before. It's like a piece of work that needed to be made now."

Nicolas Hoult, known for his versatile performances since his childhood role in "About a Boy," portrays Robert Jay Mathews, the charismatic leader of the extremist group. The real Mathews met a violent end in a 1984 shootout with FBI agents, just a year after the events depicted in the film.

Director Justin Kurzel, whose 2015 adaptation of "Macbeth" premiered at Cannes, aimed to capture the essence of classic 1970s thrillers like "The French Connection" and "All the President's Men." These films, known for their taut storytelling and societal commentary, serve as inspiration for "The Order's" narrative approach.

The film's exploration of bigotry and extremism resonates strongly with current events. Jurnee Smollett, who gained recognition for her role in the series "Underground," emphasized the importance of examining these complex issues through art.

"The Order" is based on the true story of The Silent Brotherhood, a white supremacist group active in the 1980s. Their criminal activities, including bank robberies and armored car heists, were aimed at funding an armed revolution. This led to one of the largest manhunts in FBI history in 1983, mirroring the agency's involvement in high-profile cases since its establishment in 1908.

The Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest film festival founded in 1932, provides a fitting backdrop for the premiere of this thought-provoking work. "The Order" will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion, the festival's top prize awarded to the best film in the main competition.

As the cast and crew gathered on the Lido, the Venetian island hosting the festival, they reflected on the challenges and significance of bringing this story to the screen. The film promises to be a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against extremism and the importance of confronting historical truths to better understand our present.

"The Order" is scheduled for theatrical release later in 2024, offering audiences worldwide a chance to engage with this pivotal moment in American history and its reverberations in contemporary society.