Exclusive | The Prospect of Working With Bob Really Sealed It – Ben Wheatley on His Film Normal

Set in an unremarkable Midwestern town, the story follows Ulysses (Odenkirk), an interim sheriff sent in for a temporary posting, an assignment that promises distance from his troubled past and a chance at quiet routine. But when a botched bank robbery disrupts the town’s calm exterior, Ulysses finds himself drawn into a chain of events that expose something far more dangerous beneath the surface. For Wheatley, the film came onto his radar through his agent, but it was the combination of the script and Odenkirk’s involvement that made him come on board.

That idea of flipping a familiar genre dynamic became central to his approach. He saw Normal as a film that could draw from the classical western tradition while reworking it within a contemporary framework.

“The overall vision for the film was to make an action movie that was fun, but also had heart, something that wasn’t too cynical. It stands with one foot in the classical western form and the other in modern action cinema. There’s a lot to learn from the western genre, especially its clear binaries good vs. bad, heroes vs. villains. But placing that in a modern setting, with contemporary pressures and worries, makes it more relatable for audiences today,” the filmmaker continued.

At the centre of the film is Odenkirk’s performance, which Wheatley describes as emotionally rich and instinctive. “Bob brings a deep emotional understanding to the character of Ulysses. When you look into his eyes, there’s so much meaning beyond the dialogue. You believe his pain, his doubts, the moral questions he’s grappling with. That emotional weight is something he brings effortlessly. Working with him is incredibly exciting. He constantly challenges the script and its meaning. As a producer, writer, and performer, he can make decisions quickly, which keeps the production agile. You’re never worried about finding a scene; it’s always solid when he’s on screen. And having that kind of creative partner means you can question things, tweak them on the fly, and push everything to be better without hesitation.”

Working with Henry Winkler, who is widely known as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, was an experience Wheatley describes as both surreal and rewarding. “Henry Winkler, for me, was surreal to work with. On our first call, I remember thinking, “I’m talking to the Fonz.” He’s a living icon, but also incredibly warm and humble. He can be vulnerable about his performance but then delivers something fantastic. On set, he’s open, approachable, and genuinely engaged with everyone. It was a real joy working with him.”

Beyond the performances, the process of making the film itself left a strong impression on the filmmaker, particularly the opportunity to collaborate with new people and work in unfamiliar environments. “What I’ve enjoyed most is meeting a lot of new people—actors and crew—and that has been awesome. Shooting in Canada has been fantastic, and I’ve never done that before for a movie, so I’ve really enjoyed it. Shooting in new environments has been great; I’ve done a lot of things in closed-in spaces, and it’s been refreshing to get out and about, onto planes and onto a wider canvas. I also think it’s been amazing to shoot a lot of action in a movie that has a lot of heart but also includes comedy beats. That’s my favourite thing to do.”

PVR Inox Pictures will be releasing Normal in cinemas across India on April 17, 2026.