When you look through Ben Wheatley’s work, his films are anything but normal.

His directing swing-o-meter oscillates wildly, from darkly horror British films such as 2011’s Kill List to the bonkers 2023 Meg 2: The Trench, with nothing ordinary in-between.

His latest is definitely on that extreme end of his meter, taking place as it does in small town America.

A new arrival to the small town of Normal, Minnesota, is its interim sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk). Their last sheriff past away recently, and Ulysses was requested by the powers-that-be to stand in for a few weeks, like a substitute teacher.

Initially it looks a regular small town, with fairly friendly folk, but everything is far from it seems – far from normal – as Ulysses is about to find out, when the town’s secret brings out its bad side.

Ben Wheatley’s films can bring out a Marmite reaction, in that you both love and hate them; there are some films you will hate, and some that you will...well love is a bit too strong, but enjoy. And these films will be different depending who you talk to.

Much of this reaction can often depend on how the commercial any one film is; the less commercial the more likely to be artsy fartsy, which is fine for the five people who liked it. Thankfully, this film’s material is most definitely planted in the commercial side, as quirky as it might be.

This is probably due to the fact that the British director wasn’t involved in the writing of it, but its star Odenkirk was, given a co-writing credit. Odenkirk is embracing his reinvention of being an action hero, as seen in both Nobody films, that he seems keen on continuing here, by helping to write it.

The result is a wonderfully wild affair, which starts off fairly normal, before turning the ‘wacky’ switch way past eleven. In doing so, Wheatley appears to let his hair down and have...fun. The action is most definitely OTT, with a curious nod to the Final Destination franchise in places, as Wheatley literally goes to town with the blood squibs.

It doesn’t make much sense, which at least fits in with the director’s M.O, but it’s a quirky, action-packed ride that makes visiting Normal certainly memorable.

Is this Wheatley’s new normal? That’s highly doubtful, but it was adrenaline-fuelled fun while it lasted.