Interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In his latest high-octane thriller Normal, Bob Odenkirk trades the quiet life of a substitute sheriff for a explosive showdown in a town that is anything but. The kinetic neo-Western from director Ben Wheatley (Free Fire, High-Rise), written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and produced by Nobody’s Marc Provissiero, follows Odenkirk’s Ulysses — a provisional lawman nursing marital woes and moral injuries — whose response to a botched bank robbery rips open the dark secrets hiding beneath the sleepy Midwestern town’s surface. In an exclusive interview with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, the versatile star opens up about the joy of making the film, his unlikely journey into action stardom, and the powerful message audiences should take home.
The Joy of Surviving a Blizzard Thriller “It was fun to make,” Odenkirk tells Salfen with clear enthusiasm. “We needed this snowstorm. That was the hardest thing… Ben Wheatley says a lot of action movies are man versus man. This is man versus man versus God, because this snowstorm comes in and isolates all these people in this town.” The isolation forces the characters to confront one another with no outside help — the perfect pressure-cooker setting for the film’s explosive revelations.
Playing a Hero His Own Age Odenkirk’s Ulysses is a temporary sheriff who is “unsure of himself” and “unsure of his own instincts.” The actor, who spent years playing younger characters, relished the chance to portray a man closer to his real age with a rich, complicated history. “He knows something’s not normal, but he doesn’t want to look too close. But then stuff happens,” Odenkirk explains — a perfect description of the character’s reluctant heroism.
From Comedy Legend to Action Star When asked about his remarkable career trajectory — from comedy writer to Emmy winner to the breakout action hero of Nobody — Odenkirk offers grounded advice: “Hang in there, stay in shape, work on yourself… opportunities down the line, they’re not here yet.” He admits even he’s surprised to find himself in action films, but understands why audiences respond to him in the genre.
The Hail Mary That Paid Off Co-host Drew Pearson (Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer) asks for Odenkirk’s career “Hail Mary” moment. Without hesitation, he names Nobody: “That could have been a big embarrassment if I didn’t pull that off… potentially deeply embarrassing. But we did it.”
No Excuses When the Cameras Roll On performing his own action sequences, Odenkirk is serious: “There’s no excuses anymore at that point. People could get hurt if you don’t do it right.” He views those moments as rare gifts — opportunities to truly test yourself that life doesn’t always hand you voluntarily.
What Audiences Should Take Away Beyond the thrills and entertainment, Odenkirk hopes viewers walk away with something deeper: “Everything and everybody has a backstory. Everybody you meet has something in their past, and you should have some respect for it. Or take your time getting to know what it is.”
Normal is now playing / coming soon to theaters and VOD. Watch the full interview above and stay tuned to AMFM Magazine for more exclusive conversations with Hollywood’s most compelling talents.
