Jude Law Reflects on the Timely Significance of His New Film on White Supremacist Terrorism

Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

31 August 2024 at 9:19 pm

Jude Law has expressed that his latest film, which delves into the violent actions of a white supremacist group, remains disturbingly relevant in today’s world.

Titled “The Order,” the film features two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law in the role of an FBI agent tasked with investigating a hate group notorious for its bank heists and implicated in the June 1984 murder of Alan Berg, a Jewish talk-radio host based in Denver.

Nicholas Hoult, another prominent British actor, takes on the role of Robert Mathews, the leader of the extremist group known as The Order. Mathews met his end in a 1984 fire during an intense shootout with federal agents in Washington state.

During a press conference at the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday, Jude Law, 51, who is widely recognized for his role in “The Talented Mr Ripley,” remarked, “Sadly, the relevance of this story speaks for itself.” He added, “What amazed me was that this was a story I hadn’t heard of before. I thought Zach Baylin, the screenwriter, did an incredible job highlighting how family and community can make people feel safe and secure, regardless of their political or emotional direction.”

Law emphasized that creating this film felt necessary in today’s climate. “It’s always intriguing to look back at history, especially when a story from the past has a significant connection to present-day issues,” he noted.

When queried about recent far-right riots in the UK, Nicholas Hoult, known for his roles in “The Great” and “Skins,” acknowledged that while “The Order” is primarily an American story, its themes are undeniably relevant today. “It’s also a global issue at the moment,” Hoult stated. “This is a horrible situation, and hopefully, the film can shed more light on how these events occur and who instigates them. Perhaps it can help prevent such incidents in the future.”

Hoult revealed that researching for his role involved delving into dark and unsettling material. “Director Justin Kurzel and screenwriter Zach Baylin helped me navigate through this difficult content. It wasn’t enjoyable, but it was necessary for this project.”

“The Order” is adapted from the 1989 book “The Silent Brotherhood” by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt. The book explores how federal agents confronted militias harboring racist, antisemitic, and neo-Nazi ideologies.