(Netflix)
Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge is the latest straight-to-streaming movie that probably should have gone to theaters. Up until last week, I had no idea this film even existed—as is usually the case when Netflix just dumps their projects on their site—and ended up mostly enjoying it. Saulnier is the same filmmaker who quickly gained cult followings with his indie thrillers Blue Ruin (2013) and Green Room (2015). But fans might be surprised at how much he restrains his famous use of graphic violence for more suspense and tension in Rebel Ridge, and to effective use.
In a contemporary, southern smalltown called Shelby Springs, Marine veteran Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) is knocked over by a police car while riding his bike and held hostage by Officer Evan Marston (David Denman) and Officer Steve Lann (Emory Cohen). With barely a chance to speak, the cops take $36K he’s holding in cash and accuse him of stealing the money to bail out his cousin Mike, who was arrested in a drug related misdemeanor. Since the money is legitimate and Mike was wrongfully imprisoned, Terry is determined to get the bail back before his cousin is transferred to an even worse penitentiary. But the more he tries to resolve his problem, the more he gets gaslit by the city government claiming there’s nothing they can do; with only city hall clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb) willing to lend a hand.
(Netflix)
Don Johnson plays the crooked police chief who tries to sabotage Terry’s efforts to do right, while James Cromwell appears as the local courthouse judge. As most movie fans have noted, the general plot of Rebel Ridge is very similar to Ted Kotcheff’s classic action flick First Blood (1982), except with a black Marine in 2024 instead of Sylvester Stallone as Pvt. Rambo post-Vietnam. Much like the previous movie, there’s a lot less blood than you would expect for a revenge theme. The new release doesn’t really bring a ton of originality but does have some well-done filmmaking and a talented cast to make up for it. Pierre has a captivating presence which will serve him well in future roles and Robb is in one of her best post-child star adult roles. I also find it very amusing both Johnson and Cohen have become somewhat typecast as racist cops in more recent years; especially Johnson, who was a TV star for portraying a good cop on NBC’s “Miami Vice” (1984-1990).
Although the climax veers a bit silly for my taste, along with some glaringly convenient motivation switches by two side characters; Rebel Ridge is still a solid example of ‘less is more’ on-screen storytelling with an especially tight first act.
Just watched it. We liked it as well, Megan.
Thanks for the review. We watched it. It was good. Thanks Megan.