This film is based on an event that happened in 2010. Nick Offerman plays a man who claims to be a Sovereign Citizen, holding an anti-establishment worldview based on distrust of the government. He and his son (Jacob Tremblay) travel the country running his seminar about challenging the system. Offerman’s performance centers the story with determined force, while Tremblay’s performance is heartbreaking. Dennis Quaid, as the local sherif, turns in a deep characterization as well. Writer/director Christian Swegal could have benefitted from listening to his editor: The early lecture scenes take up too much of the film’s narrative and get repetitive. The inevitable tragedy has powerful aspects, but the final encounters are less effective that the situation merits. It remains an interesting glimpse into extremism with potent performances to drive the story. NOTE: Listen for Offerman’s real-life wife Megan Mullally as the radio host. 
(2.5 / 5)
