Jude Law’s Mustache Is the Real Star of The Order

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Spoilers follow for The Order, now streaming on Hulu. 

Just as a movie’s storyline doesn’t fully capture its essence, an exceptional acting performance transcends line delivery. This is particularly true for Justin Kurzel’s ’80s-set film, The Order, which follows the pursuit of FBI agent Terry Husk by an agent, as he confronts a gang of bank-robbing white separatists plotting to seize control of the United States. In this instance, the extraordinary performance is owed to Jude Law’s mustache – a remarkable specimen reminiscent of Yosemite Sam’s design. This mustache not only smears blood, soaks up beer, and inhales cigarette smoke, but also communicates crucial insights about Agent Husk to the audience. Yes, Law actually grew this mustache for the role, and it is nothing short of stunning.

In Kurzel’s “Heat with white supremacists” thriller, it’s not just the presence of Law’s mustache that stands out; rather, its significance lies in how it embodies his character, Agent Husk. Previously, Law has sported various mustaches – a slim line above his lip as Errol Flynn in “The Aviator”, a thicker arch as Dr. Watson in Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” series, and a mustache and beard as Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin in Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Anna Karenina”. However, none of these facial hair styles convey the essence of their characters quite like Agent Husk’s does. His mustache, resembling a caterpillar due to his negligence in grooming, mirrors his dedication to his work. With more pressing matters on hand, such as chastising local police for tolerating neo-Nazi propaganda and convincing his FBI colleagues about the importance of this case, he finds little time for personal grooming. Therefore, his mustache serves as a symbol of his professional commitment. Moreover, Law’s decision to grow such an unconventional mustache adds a unique twist to his usual portrayals.

The intense charm of a law character often wreaks havoc in movies, as seen in films like “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “Closer”, “Spy”, and “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”. However, in “The Order”, Law’s mustache, grown specifically for the role because every FBI agent he encountered during research had one, serves to conceal his striking good looks. It’s not just the rough, dense texture that obscures his upper lip and is angled downwards to give him a constant scowl-like expression, but rather how the mustache brings Law’s facial expressions to life.

The mustache gives an air of sarcastic amusement and weary exasperation to almost everything he speaks. When Law’s character, Husk, who has just arrived in Idaho to investigate white supremacist activities, interrogates the Kootenai County sheriff and discovers that the man isn’t taking the group seriously, Husk lifts his chin defiantly, and his mustache accentuates his disdain. Later, the man Husk is pursuing, Bob Mathews (played by Nicholas Hoult), taunts Husk about his chain-smoking, implying that it repels elk. Initially, Law reacts with a squint of surprise, followed by genuine amusement. This swift change in expression is highlighted by the stretch of mustache matching his broad grin.

The most dramatic part of Husk’s performance, which has been building throughout, occurs in a critical third act scene. This scene is significant because it follows an earlier revelation that Husk experiences nosebleeds under stress. During an intense interrogation with one of Mathews’ associates, Husk forces the man’s face into his chest and threatens him. This confrontation causes a heavy flow of blood from Husk’s nose. The blood stains his mustache, seeps onto his shirt, and smears on Tony Torres (played by Matias Lucas). As Husk steps back to light another cigarette and continue questioning Torres in the prison cell, his blood-stained mustache gives him a dejected appearance, as if he’s a sad, overworked cartoon character like Muttley who would laugh at the absurdity of it all if it didn’t involve him.

Law uses various props and costume details to portray Husk’s obsession with his job, which borders on self-destruction. His hairline is particularly prominent, and there’s a scar on his chest hinting at a heart attack surgery. The worn-out underwear in Husk’s motel room adds to the sense of loneliness. He portrays Husk as a chain smoker and avid gum chewer, indicating his excess energy and nervousness. These continuous acts of chewing, puffing, and chomping serve to heighten tension and focus attention on Husk’s facial hair, which symbolizes his acceptance of the reckless path he has chosen. Throughout his career, Husk has worked with numerous partners in tracking down criminals. However, no one will ever understand him as intimately as that mustache does.

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2025-05-09 01:03