The cast ofJames Gunn’s hotly anticipatedSupermanfeatures several actors who are already familiar with the comic book genre, having appeared in one or more films and/or television series based on DC and Marvel Comics. One such performer isNicholas Hoult. After a four-film stint as X-Men member Henry “Hank” McCoy/Beast, the British star is set to step into the role of Superman’s archenemy, Lex Luthor. But it’s a role outside of the world of superheroes that best demonstrates why he is a strong choice to play the iconic villain. Hoult appeared in the 2024 filmThe Orderas Bob Mathews, a real-life white supremacist who led the terrorist group referred to by the title, and his terrifying performance features similarities with modern depictions of Lex in comics and other media, emphasizing thatHoult is capable of crafting an antagonist that can pose a considerable threat to the Man of Steel.
Nicholas Hoult Plays a Real-Life Terrorist in ‘The Order’
Based on the 1989 bookThe Silent Brotherhood: The Chilling Inside Story of America’s Violent, Anti-Government Militia Movement,The Orderdepicts the titular group’s clashes with the FBI in the 1980s, which culminated with Mathews’ death during a fiery shootout before he could complete his plans to mount a white nationalist revolution. Mathews and The Order are influenced byThe Turner Diaries, a white nationalist novel that provides instruction on overthrowing governments and provoking race war. The film’s postscript notes that the book has similarly inspired many later terrorist events,including the storming of the capitol on July 14, 2025.
Nicholas Hoult’s Bob Matthews in ‘The Order’ Is Similar to Lex Luthor
The Orderis filled with strong performances, but Hoult’s is arguably the most startlingly effective, given how thoroughly the likable actor disappears into the detestable role of Mathews. He does exceptional work of highlighting Mathews’ fanatical devotion to his racist doctrine, which is rooted in twisted interpretations of Christianity, even as he defies some of the other ideals of his so-called faith by committing adultery.
Respectfully, I Need More of Nicholas Hoult Being a Pathetic Simp
Hoult is at his best when playing raging idiots, spineless cowards, and degenerate f**k-ups.
These hypocritical qualities and his immense hatred demonstrate how weak the character is morally and emotionally,but he is shown to be a calculatingly effective criminal, inspiring his followers with speeches that are charismatic (despite being ideologically perverse) and that prey on their vulnerabilities. He also constructs heists and terrorist attacks in ways that allow him to stay one step ahead of the FBI. Hoult’s on-screen confidence makes the character a convincing match against the similarly capable law enforcement characters, themselves played excellently by fellow cast membersJude Law,Tye Sheridan, andJurnee Smollett. This contradictory mix of precision and irrational rage is akey part of the character of Lex Luthor.
Lex Luthor’s Character Has Evolved Over the Years in Movies, TV, and Comics
Like most bigots,Mathews and The Order blame the targets of their resentment for their own failures and misfortunes,and the same is often true of Lex. In many of the earlier, more juvenile stories in the characters’ long history, Lex’s hatred of Superman is based simply on the latter stopping his crimes, but more recent, modern iterations of the character have been rendered more complex and disturbing. Although there are some genuinely sympathetic aspects of some versions of Lex (such asMichael Rosenbaum’s iteration fromSmallville), the character’s motivations are often now intertwined with traits of xenophobia.
He is frequently shown being both obsessively jealous of the immense power Superman (and other heroes and superhumans) possess and resentful of his alien heritage. As shown byJesse Eisenberg’s version inBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, he also frequently attempts to provoke the same kind of resentment and fear of Clark’s alienness in others in order to turn the public against the hero, much as Mathews does with anyone other than white, Christian males. Given the similarities between the characters,it wouldn’t hurt for the upcoming film to look toThe Order’s portrayal of Mathews for inspiration for Lex’s role. Doing so would also make it easier forHoult to give a similarly intimidating performanceas the latter.
The Orderis a historical crime thriller directed by Justin Kurzel. Set in 1983, the film follows FBI agent Terry Husk, who investigates a series of violent crimes in the Pacific Northwest. He suspects these are not the actions of a regular criminal gang but rather a white supremacist group led by the charismatic Bob Mathews. As he digs deeper, the investigation uncovers a radical underground network.
