Review published 25th April 2026

Watch the official trailer.

A Desperate Lawyer Juggles Two Lives as Ambition and Deception Collide

John (Brandon Routh) is a young lawyer desperate for change, but even more determined to win back his ex-girlfriend, Lisa (Tao Okamoto). Trying to impress her, he applies for a position at another law firm in the same building as his current firm. Given his education and drive, he secures the role and accepts the position after being promised that he will finally be given the chance to argue in a courtroom rather than sit in an office. Before he can inform his current employer of his new role, fate intervenes, and his manager (Michael Potts) suffers a heart attack and unexpectedly assigns John a major case.  Unable to resign or reveal his new job and suddenly responsible for a courtroom case at his old firm, John makes the risky decision to work for both firms simultaneously. He convinces himself he can manage the workload by working longer hours, starting earlier, and even using his lunch breaks to keep up.

A Double Life Unravels as One Man Faces Both Sides of the Same Case

However, things spiral further out of control when he discovers that both firms are involved in the same case, and he is effectively representing the same case but from opposing sides. To survive this impossible situation, John creates an alter ego named Jack, adopting different clothing, a wig, and a distinct persona.  Now living a double professional life, John and Jack find themselves on opposite sides of the same legal battle. As the truth about their client slowly unfolds, John must juggle deception, ambition, and identity while trying to salvage his career and win back the life he lost.

A Lighthearted Comedy with Romantic Undertones from Filmmaker Guy Jacobson

Out of Order was co-written and directed by Guy Jacobson, whose only other feature film credit is Redlight (2009), which he also co-wrote and co-directed.  Out of Order is a comedy with a light touch of romance, blending humor and heart without ever leaning too heavily into either.

Uneven Comedy Balances Sharp Character Moments with Hit and Miss Humour

As a comedy, the film delivers a handful of genuinely solid moments that are difficult not to chuckle at. This includes the various interactions, bickering, and offbeat lines shared between John and his co-worker Paul (played by Sam Huntington), along with a surprisingly entertaining appearance from Luis Guzmán.  The remainder of the humour leans heavily on gags centred around John’s general clumsiness as a person, alongside other jokes that often feel either underdeveloped or simply too obvious to land effectively. The same issue extends to the plot, which, even with its comedic framing, can be difficult to swallow fully.

A Heavy Handed Superman Reference Undermines the Dual Identity Comedy

Much like Superman himself, who Brandon Routh famously portrayed in Superman Returns, the contrast between John and his alter ego, Jack, is extremely obvious and lacks cleverness. No one around him ever seems to question why John constantly disappears to change into his disguised persona, which feels like an intentional nod to classic superhero logic, particularly Superman. There are also several references to Superman sprinkled throughout, but they often feel more like eye-rolling reminders than clever inclusions. The joke is clear; the actor once played Superman, but it leans a little too heavily on it, as if audiences are highly clueless.

A Promising Concept Undercut by Missed Comedic and Romantic Opportunities

The premise itself is fun and inventive, but as it unfolds, it is hard not to feel there were missed opportunities to push the comedy further. That said, the cast does what it can with the material, even in scenes where characters are clearly interacting with empty coffee cups or minimal props.  The romantic element is also quite weak. Even when the film attempts to add more complexity, such as introducing a love triangle while John struggles to balance his double life, it never really lands emotionally. There is little investment in his romantic choices and his questionable decisions, including the idea that simply appearing in a courtroom will somehow win back his true love, feel underdeveloped rather than compelling.  In the end, moments like these really do feel a little out of order.

A Low Budget Legal Comedy Anchored by Charm but Undercut by Uneven Humor and Casting

Overall, Out of Order is a simple comedy that follows a clumsy lawyer who finds himself in a major pickle, forced to play two people in the same courtroom. The low budget is quite apparent, yet the cast does their best with random bursts of dialogue and a surprising number of Superman nods, clearly leaning into Brandon Routh’s previous role in Superman Returns. The comedy itself feels a little unintelligent and offbeat, rarely landing with the impact it aims for. That said, Routh brings a certain charm and shares solid chemistry with Sam Huntington, along with Luis Guzmán, who, as always, is a welcome presence and delivers a few reliable gags. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast feels mismatched or simply forgettable, which holds the film back from rising above its limitations.

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkdenentertainment/
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Peter_Walkden/
Website: https://walkdenentertainment.com/

More links and updates: https://linktr.ee/PeterWalkden