Inspired by true events, this gripping thriller follows Jerry Kane (Nick Offerman), an out-of-work roofer and struggling single father who desperately tries to provide for his homeschooled fifteen-year-old son, Joe (Jacob Tremblay). Searching for control in an unforgiving world, Jerry embraces the sovereign citizen movement, indoctrinating Joe into believing that laws are mere illusions and freedom must be seized by force. As they travel the country selling debt relief seminars to desperate homeowners, Jerry's ideology becomes increasingly extreme and his grip on reality deteriorates. Meanwhile, Joe quietly begins to question his father’s worldview, dreaming of a normal life beyond their constant travels.

Director Christian Swegal crafts a tense, slow-burning narrative that examines the human cost of extremism without resorting to simplistic judgments. Offerman delivers a revelatory dramatic performance, embodying Jerry's blend of paternal love and dangerous conviction with haunting authenticity. Tremblay continues to prove himself as one of his generation's most gifted young actors, capturing Joe's internal conflict with subtle emotional precision. Dennis Quaid rounds out the stellar cast as Police Chief Jim Bouchart, whose collision with the Kanes forces all three characters to grapple with the consequences of their beliefs. Sovereign distinguishes itself through its nuanced exploration of the psychology behind anti-government movements and the complex father-son relationship at its core. For viewers seeking a thought-provoking film that resonates with our politically divided times while delivering genuine emotional impact, this timely drama offers no easy answers — only the messy, heartbreaking truth of how ideology can both bind and destroy families.—Jarod Neece

Christian Swegal