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Our take
What starts as a quirky small-town comedy turns lethal once the bank alarm goes off and the body count climbs. Bob Odenkirk plays an interim sheriff who finds that sleepy Normal, Minnesota, hides Yakuza ties, secret arsenals and citizens willing to kill to keep secrets. US R carnage includes decapitations, stabbings, explosions and severed ears, plus roughly three dozen f-words and talk of a past sexual-assault case. Dark humor mixes with graphic violence; suited to older teens who already handle hard-R action.
Uplifting themes
Ulysses shows flashes of empathy, but the story mostly rewards surviving chaos over moral clarity The sheriff tries to help a troubled teen, yet he teams with robbers and kills to escape the town
Story (may spoil tone)
An unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past responds to a bank robbery in a small, sleepy town and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.
Details
Violence Near-constant gunfights, bank robberies, stabbings, and explosive set p…
Near-constant gunfights, bank robberies, stabbings, and explosive set pieces once the town secret breaks open
Language Heavy profanity throughout, including dozens of f-words and religious e…
Heavy profanity throughout, including dozens of f-words and religious expletives
Drugs / alcohol Whiskey, bourbon and beer appear in bar scenes and standoffs, and drug…
Whiskey, bourbon and beer appear in bar scenes and standoffs, and drug packages show up in a vault
Frightening Sudden shootouts and grisly kills create sustained tension once the coz…
Sudden shootouts and grisly kills create sustained tension once the cozy opening turns lethal
Self-harm / suicide Dialogue suggests a character may be thinking of suicide; no attempt is…
Dialogue suggests a character may be thinking of suicide; no attempt is shown
Sexual violence A sexual-assault case comes up in dialogue and flashback; present, thou…
A sexual-assault case comes up in dialogue and flashback; present, though not the main plot
Child peril / abuse A teen character gets caught up in town turmoil, but the R-rated violen…
A teen character gets caught up in town turmoil, but the R-rated violence targets adults and criminals
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Graphic gore includes beheadings, severed ears, finger amputation, and…
Graphic gore includes beheadings, severed ears, finger amputation, and blood-soaked gunshot wounds
Dangerous behaviour Stylized gunplay, grenade launchers, and improvised weapons are played…
Stylized gunplay, grenade launchers, and improvised weapons are played for dark action-comedy thrills
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Memorial services, a frozen body and talk of murdered townspeople under…
Memorial services, a frozen body and talk of murdered townspeople underpin the shootout story
Flashing lights This version's advice includes a flashing-lights warning.
This version's advice includes a flashing-lights warning.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- The town is literally named Normal — how does the movie use that irony once the conspiracy breaks open?
- Ulysses shows kindness in some scenes but joins bank robbers when he has to survive. When does movie violence feel justified versus just chaotic?
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