Sovereign premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8, 2025, marking writer-director Christian Swegal’s feature debut. Its gritty take on a dark, real-life event – centered around anti-government “sovereign citizens” – has quickly made it a standout in the indie film circuit. Sovereign is led by Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay, who play father and son. Many people may recognize the former from his famous role as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation, which was much more lighthearted. But this new film is a sobering drama with underlying political conflict. The supporting cast is another interesting part of this production, boasting heavy hitters like Dennis Quaid, Thomas Mann, Martha Plimpton and Nancy Travis.
Swegal’s project landed in theaters and on major digital platforms on July 11, 2025. The film’s emotionally charged narrative and the intricate portrayal of characters drawn into extremist ideology have left audiences wondering: Is Sovereign based on a true story? Here’s everything we know about how much of the movie reflects real life – and how much is dramatized.
Is ‘Sovereign’ based on a true story?
Yes, Sovereign is based on real-life events. In 2010, there was a police shooting in West Memphis, Arkansas, involving Jerry and Joseph Kane. This father and son duo seemed innocent enough at a routine stop. But the two were a part of the Sovereign Citizen movement and took things farther than ever could be expected. This movement is loosely organized, but at the community’s core is the fundamental belief that most forms of U.S. government and law enforcement are illegitimate. So, this anti-government ideology is what led to a violent and ultimately fatal incident on the road.
The Kanes traveled across the country, giving self-taught legal seminars on their beliefs. These events instructed others to push back against the systems they believed failed them. So, once the pair was pulled over by Police Chief Jim Bouchart (Dennis Quaid) on May 20, 2010, things quickly went awry.
As ABC News reported at the time of the deadly shooting, “Video released by West Memphis authorities shows the graphic detail. As the officers questioned Jerry Kane, his son Joe suddenly leaped out of the minivan and opened fire.” The Kanes’ white minivan served as protection for the 16-year-old Joseph, who opened fire on officers suddenly. This was met with returned gunfire, and ultimately, Joseph killed two police officers with an AK-47 assault rifle.
How is the movie different from real life?
One of the biggest differences between the filmic version of this tragic story and the actual events is how it all ends. In real life, Joseph’s father sped away after the murders. But about an hour later, they were found at a Wal-Mart parking lot, and another shootout occurred. Eventually, officers shot the father and son, which resulted in their deaths. As the prosecuting attorney, Mike Walden, shared with ABC, “Officers did what they could to save the lives of their fellow officers and themselves, and you know, it has not been a difficult call for this office to say that this was a justified shoot.”
A big part of the movie also deals with Joe’s reluctance towards his father’s ideologies. These reservations about their lifestyle only really set in after his father’s arrest, since he had space and time away from his biggest influence. Once Joe is placed in foster care, he experiences a more stable home base. He explores the possibility of enrolling in regular school with other kids after being homeschooled and left alone the majority of the time.
The movie generally provides more context about their life circumstances, in comparison to real life headlines. For example, the fact that Jerry stops paying bills and the bank wins their home in court is a big financial burden for them. Per DMTalkies, the death of his wife and the 2008 mortgage crisis also contributed to Jerry’s gravitation toward the extremist beliefs of the Sovereign Citizen Movement.
How does ‘Sovereign’ end?
Unlike the real life events, Sovereign concludes with a more dramatically stylized but definitive final confrontation. The film builds towards a tense climax after the murder of two officers, with father and son fugitives Jerry and Joe cornered by law enforcement. Rather than opting for a more symbolic or ambiguous ending, the movie portrays their deaths in a direct and emotionally charged shootout. Both characters are killed, echoing the real life fate of the Kanes, though the location and exact circumstances are altered for cinematic effect.
On top of this, the tone of the final sequence is unflinching. Director Christian Swegal leans into the cold, brutal realism of the story. The ending of the movie doesn’t cut away or imply the outcome, it shows the cost of violence and extremism.
Another element of the ending which viewers may find interesting is the way that the relationship between Jerry and Joe has implications on John Bouchart’s (Dennis Quaid) thoughts on his relationship with his son. Even though his son Adam (Thomas Mann), who was killed in the initial traffic stop shootout, was an accomplished officer, the final scenes of the movie show him seemingly reflecting on his parenting tactics. As Sportskeeda reports, he embraces his crying grandson, which is a jump from how he operated with his own son.
Despite the relatively grim subject matter, the film concludes with a focus on the complex father-son relationship at the root of the story. The movie makes viewers question their understanding of the central characters, who were real and complex people.
As Offerman tells People, “I hope that instead of vilifying people who get bad information, people who are the victims of our financial institutions and our other predatory corporate institutions, that we can begin to understand as a society that we need to take better care of our poor people, our working class our mentally ill.”
Where can I watch ‘Sovereign’?
Audiences have the option to watch the film in the theater or in the comfort of their own homes. Viewers can rent or buy it beginning July 11. There will be a digital release on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play. After its theatrical release, it may eventually land on other subscription-based platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Sovereign filmed?
Per SoapCentral, this movie was primarily filmed in Arkansas, including areas like Fayetteville, Lincoln and Springdale.
What movie made Dennis Quaid famous?
According to IMDb, one of his best movies was the 1988 film Everybody’s All-American. However, many fans cite the 1983 movie The Right Stuff as his best work, which is commonly considered what made him famous.
