'The Deputy' Review: Is Duke Nicholson's Small-Town Thriller Worth It?

The Deputy is an English-language crime thriller directed by Matt Sukkar and starring Duke Nicholson, William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Dorff, Julia Fox and Billie Lourd. The film follows Toby Sawyer, a part-time sheriff’s deputy who is assigned to watch over a dead body after a murder.

When the corpse suddenly disappears, Toby finds himself caught in a much bigger mystery involving corruption and dangerous criminals. The film has a promising small-town noir atmosphere and Duke Nicholson gives a convincing lead performance, but the story sometimes feels more restrained than suspenseful.

The Deputy Movie Details

The Deputy is based on Victor Gischler’s novel of the same name and marks Matt Sukkar’s feature directorial debut. The film has a runtime of around 98 minutes and was released in limited US theatres as well as on digital and on-demand platforms on September 25, 2026.

The Deputy Story Overview

Toby Sawyer (Duke Nicholson) is a young part-time deputy working for the Norman County Sheriff’s Department. He dreams of becoming a full-time deputy, even though his personal life and attitude towards his job are far from ideal. One evening, Sheriff Frank Krueger (William H. Macy) calls Toby to a crime scene where a man has been shot dead. Toby is given the simple responsibility of watching the body.

However, the situation quickly turns into a disaster when the corpse disappears while he is supposed to be guarding it. Toby is then placed under pressure and begins trying to understand what happened. His search takes him deeper into the secrets of the small town, where corruption, criminal activity and cover-ups begin to emerge.

Deputy Amanda Jackson (Tiffany Haddish) becomes one of the few people willing to help him as he tries to clear his name. The rest of the story focuses on Toby's increasingly dangerous attempt to uncover the truth while dealing with people who want the town's secrets to remain buried.

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The Deputy Review: Strong Lead Performance, Uneven Suspense?

The Deputy works best when it stays focused on Toby and the strange night that completely changes his life. Duke Nicholson gives the character a quiet and understated personality, which fits the film's small-town setting. Rather than playing Toby as a traditional heroic cop, Nicholson presents him as an inexperienced and somewhat careless deputy who slowly realises how serious the situation has become. The film also creates a good atmosphere.

The nighttime setting, rundown locations and isolated small-town environment give the story a dark neo-noir feel. There is a sense that something dangerous could happen whenever Toby turns a corner, and this helps the film maintain some tension even when the screenplay becomes slower. However, the mystery does not always deliver the suspense that the premise promises.

As Toby investigates the missing body, the story expands into corruption, human trafficking and criminal conspiracies. Some of these developments feel increasingly complicated, while the twists do not always have the impact they should. Duke Nicholson carries most of the film and gives a solid performance. William H. Macy brings his usual presence to the role of Sheriff Krueger, while Tiffany Haddish gets some enjoyable moments as Amanda.

Stephen Dorff, Julia Fox and Billie Lourd have smaller roles, with some of the supporting performances feeling underused. The direction from Matt Sukkar is confident for a first feature. He creates a distinct mood and avoids making the film feel like a completely routine crime thriller. Still, the pacing could have been tighter, with some scenes adding little to the central mystery.

What Are the Weak Points?

• Uneven pacing
• Predictable developments
• Underused supporting cast
• Limited suspense

Is The Deputy Worth Watching?

Watch it if you:

• Enjoy small-town thrillers
• Like slow-burn mysteries
• Follow Duke Nicholson
• Prefer crime dramas

Skip it if you:

• Want fast-paced action
• Expect constant suspense
• Prefer complex mysteries
• Dislike slow storytelling

Final Verdict

The Deputy has a solid crime-thriller setup and benefits from its atmospheric small-town setting. Duke Nicholson makes Toby an interesting lead, while the supporting cast adds credibility even when some of the characters are given limited material. Matt Sukkar also shows promise as a director with a clear visual style.

However, the mystery becomes less convincing as the story moves forward, and the film sometimes takes too long to reach its next major development. It is an interesting one-time watch for fans of understated crime dramas, but the screenplay could have used more tension and tighter pacing.

Rating: 3/5

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