July 24, 2025 – This tragic drama, inspired by real events that happened 15 years ago, is even more relevant today because an ever-increasing number of people are being misled into beliefs entirely unsupported by evidence.

It is bad enough that people believe such things, but it is far worse to teach those same false beliefs to children. This is what happened to young Joe Kane (played by Jacob Tremblay of “The Life of Chuck”) who is tragically home schooled in false beliefs by his father Jerry (Nick Offerman of “Civil War”).

Jerry, a believer in the pseudo legal beliefs of the “sovereign citizen movement,” gets himself, and Joe into trouble when his nonfactual beliefs result in eviction from his house for not paying his mortgage. Then, he is arrested for driving without a license or car registration, because he believes those things are not legal requirements. Jerry can't handle the jail time and vows never to go back after he is bailed out by a Sovereign Citizen friend, Lesley Anne (Martha Plimpton of “Mass”).

The next time he is stopped by police for driving without a license, violence erupts and two policemen are killed. Adam Bouchart (Thomas Mann of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”) and his father, police chief John Bouchart (Dennis Quaid of “Midway”) are both connected to this violent incident. The movie draws numerous comparisons between these two fathers and sons. Both Joe and Adam end up in tragic situations while trying to please their domineering fathers.

The similarities and contrasts between the Kanes and the Boucharts fathers and sons forms the heart of this story, which is very similar to the actual 2010 West Memphis, Arkansas police shootings on which it is based. There are some key differences, however. Looking at the two stories, real and altered, I think the way the facts were altered in the movie, makes it better and more impactful than the real story.

The way the movie shows the similarities and differences between the Kane and Bouchart families clarifies its message about the reasons for these tragic events. The way the movie fictionalizes certain details during the final shootout provides a more “full circle,” emotionally nuanced and satisfying conclusion.

Nick Offerman gives an outstanding performance as a deeply disturbed man who has lost touch with reality, and Jacob Tremblay gives a strong performance as a young boy who just wants a normal life, but cannot break free of his father's corrosive influence. The movie also does a good job of showing how Jerry Kane's ideas, though false, still give some comfort to those being crushed by a heartless financial and legal system.

This movie is emotionally powerful and it sends a clear message to a nation in trouble, where people are dying every day because of fictions they believe to be true. This movie rates a B. This movie is currently being shown in some theaters, and is available to rent or buy at Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandago at Home and Spectrum.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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