Derek Kolstad has come a long way, while initially struggling to make a name for himself in the industry, eventually he sold a script called the Acolyte to Voltage Pictures. That’s when everything changed, he finally received credited work on VOD Action films such as One in The Chamber and The Package. Kolstad would eventually become a household name through the selling of the script Scorn to Thunder Road Pictures, this script would eventually become the world-famous John Wick series and would help carve out a promising relationship with 87North Productions (formerly 87 Eleven Pictures).
The relationships formed through the John Wick franchise would help him land a script of his called Nobody. Nobody would star Bob Odenkirk as a former assassin trying to live out a normal life, that becomes threatened by those trying to take him out of retirement. This would establish a relationship with Bob Odenkirk, who he would work for again with Nobody 2 and would eventually join forces with to write a new action comedy thriller called Normal.
Normal has Kolstad use his tendency for gun related humour to have a commentary on American gun culture and how everyone seems to be able to get a gun lately, however many people do not seem equipped to use it. Odenkirk stars as a character named Ulysses, who is a temporary detective hired after tragedy hits. When he accidentally uncovers a conspiracy, the truth about Normal will test him.
Like any new franchise, this would have Kolstad work with Ben Wheatley, who has generally worked as a journey man director, tackling on films of various tones and types. From crime thrillers to action comedies, to films with a giant shark starring Jason Statham, he has done a lot. Wheatley’s direction of this film is a lot stronger than his previous efforts, with him utilizing a blizzard and sharp cinematography to keep the audience interested and disarming that with a comedic bend on accidental gun violence.
What doesn’t work for me is the Yakuza subplot that eventually becomes the main plot. I feel this is a tired trope that doesn’t really need to show up in Hollywood productions. It gets especially tiring when the film tries to insist that this gang of Yakuza members are important to the history of Normal. The pacing is also a bit off and for a 90-minute film, it can become a bit tiring and make the runtime feel longer than it actually is. While technically well done and produced, I think there needs to be more to Kolstad’s scripts. I wouldn’t mind the wait for action if the plot was more engaging, but it just isn’t as interesting as it wants to be.
Normal is a solid film and has potential in becoming an exciting franchise. But with as many John Wick clones as there are, it needs to differentiate itself more.
All images via Magnolia Pictures.
Directed by Ben Wheatley
Screenplay by Derek Kolstad
Produced by Marc Provissiero, Derek Kolstad, Bob Odenkirk
Starring Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Peter Shinkoda, Jess McLeod
Premiere Date: September 7, 2025 (Toronto)
Running Time: 90 minutes
Cinema from the Spectrum 
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