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'Sovereign' Review: In the Rare Thriller That's Truly Political, Nick Offerman Is Powerful as a Lost Soul of the New Right

Summary of "Sovereign" Review from Variety

In the *Variety* review dated December 2025, critic Dennis Harvey offers a detailed evaluation of *Sovereign*, a dystopian drama directed by Marc Munden. The film features Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay in lead roles, portraying a father and son navigating a bleak, authoritarian future. Harvey describes the movie as an ambitious but uneven attempt to blend family drama with speculative fiction, ultimately falling short of its potential due to narrative inconsistencies and an overreliance on familiar genre tropes. Despite strong performances, particularly from Offerman, the film struggles to carve out a distinctive identity in a crowded field of dystopian storytelling.

The review begins by contextualizing *Sovereign* within the broader landscape of dystopian cinema, noting that the genre has seen a resurgence in recent years with works that explore themes of societal collapse, authoritarianism, and human resilience. Harvey points out that *Sovereign* attempts to differentiate itself by focusing on the intimate bond between a father and son, rather than large-scale rebellion or action-driven plots. Set in a near-future America where an oppressive regime enforces strict control over personal freedoms, the story follows Offerman’s character, a gruff, protective father named Ray, and Tremblay’s character, his young son Sam, as they navigate a world of surveillance, scarcity, and danger. The specifics of the regime’s origins or policies are deliberately vague, a choice Harvey critiques as both intriguing and frustrating, as it leaves the audience with more questions than answers about the world-building.

Harvey praises the film’s visual style, crediting director Marc Munden for creating a hauntingly desolate atmosphere. The cinematography, with its muted color palette and stark landscapes, effectively conveys a sense of hopelessness and isolation. Scenes of abandoned towns and fortified checkpoints underscore the oppressive weight of the regime, while intimate close-ups of Ray and Sam highlight their emotional vulnerability. However, Harvey notes that the visual strengths are undermined by a script that struggles to balance its allegorical ambitions with coherent storytelling. The dialogue, at times, feels heavy-handed, with characters delivering expository lines that seem designed to hammer home the film’s themes rather than emerge naturally from the narrative.

Nick Offerman’s performance as Ray is a standout, according to Harvey. Known for his comedic roles, Offerman brings a raw, understated intensity to the character, portraying a man hardened by loss and fear but driven by an unyielding need to protect his son. Harvey describes Offerman’s portrayal as the emotional anchor of the film, with subtle gestures and expressions conveying a depth of pain and determination that the script sometimes fails to articulate. Jacob Tremblay, as Sam, also receives commendation for his ability to embody a child caught between innocence and the harsh realities of his environment. However, Harvey notes that Tremblay’s character is occasionally reduced to a plot device, existing primarily to elicit sympathy or motivate Ray’s actions rather than being fully developed as an individual.

Thematically, *Sovereign* explores the tension between personal freedom and societal control, as well as the sacrifices parents make for their children. Harvey acknowledges that these are potent ideas, especially in a contemporary context where issues of surveillance, authoritarianism, and family separation resonate strongly. However, he argues that the film does not delve deeply enough into these themes, often relying on clichés of the dystopian genre—such as the faceless, omnipresent government or the trope of a lone hero resisting oppression—rather than offering fresh insights. For instance, Harvey points out that the film’s depiction of resistance feels underdeveloped, with secondary characters introduced as potential allies or threats but quickly sidelined without meaningful impact on the story.

One of the review’s central critiques is the pacing of *Sovereign*. Harvey describes the film as uneven, with a slow, contemplative first half that builds tension effectively but a second half that rushes toward a resolution without fully earning its emotional or narrative payoff. Key plot developments feel abrupt or unconvincing, and Harvey suggests that the film might have benefited from a longer runtime to flesh out its ideas and character arcs. Additionally, he notes that the score, while atmospheric, occasionally overwhelms quieter moments, detracting from the intimacy of Ray and Sam’s relationship.

Despite these criticisms, Harvey does not dismiss *Sovereign* outright. He acknowledges that the film has moments of genuine power, particularly in scenes that focus on the father-son dynamic. A sequence where Ray teaches Sam a small act of defiance against the regime is highlighted as a poignant illustration of hope amidst despair. Harvey also credits Munden for attempting to tackle complex issues, even if the execution falls short. He suggests that fans of character-driven dystopian stories might find value in the film, though it is unlikely to stand out as a definitive work in the genre.

In terms of broader context, Harvey situates *Sovereign* within Munden’s filmography, noting that the director has a history of visually striking but narratively uneven projects. He also compares the film to other recent dystopian works, such as *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Children of Men*, arguing that *Sovereign* lacks the thematic depth or narrative innovation of those stories. This comparison underscores Harvey’s central argument: while *Sovereign* has the ingredients for a compelling drama, it struggles to synthesize them into a cohesive and memorable whole.

In conclusion, Dennis Harvey’s review of *Sovereign* in *Variety* paints a picture of a film with noble intentions but flawed execution. The performances by Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay are highlights, as is the film’s visual design, but these strengths are not enough to overcome a script that feels derivative and a narrative that lacks focus. Harvey’s critique is balanced, recognizing the film’s potential while pinpointing specific areas where it falls short. For audiences, *Sovereign* may offer moments of emotional resonance, particularly in its portrayal of familial bonds under duress, but it is unlikely to leave a lasting impact in the crowded dystopian genre. The review ultimately serves as a cautionary note about the challenges of blending personal drama with speculative fiction, suggesting that *Sovereign* is a near-miss rather than a triumph.

Read the Full Variety Article at:
[ https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/sovereign-review-nick-offerman-jacob-tremblay-1236450661/ ]