Movie Review: 'Rebel Ridge'

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in 'Rebel Ridge'. Photo: Alison Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Out on Netflix September 6th, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is the latest thriller from writer/director Jeremy Saulnier and focuses on a man with a certain skill who takes on some dangerous people for a just cause.

It’s a genre that’s been tackled before, but Saulnier brings his own spin, with crackling dialogue and a terrific central performance by ‘The Underground Railroad’s Aaron Pierre, backed by sterling support from Don Johnson.

Does ‘Rebel Ridge’ hit hard?

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in 'Rebel Ridge'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

If you’re a fan of Saulnier’s previous works like ‘Green Room’ and ‘Blue Ruin’, you might be surprised to find that ‘Rebel Ridge’ actually tones down the violence and intensity (but only to a certain degree) yet it’s still very much a work on its own terms. by doing

Tackling the kind of territory seen in ‘Walking Tall’ and even ‘Taken’, Shaulnier finds a way to do it with smart and some memorable dialogue, while casting his leading man in a role that other directors must have. (and even a comic book franchise or two) calling.

Scripts and instructions

Director Jeremy Saulnier on the set of 'Rebel Ridge'. Photo: Alison Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Saulnier knows how to make compelling movies –– especially in the case of ‘Green Room’ you can see through your fingers at times. ‘Rebel Ridge’ doesn’t aspire to it, but has its own charm. In his script for the new project, he creates some truly fantastic dialogue, but he doesn’t shy away when it comes time to throw things.

You’ll have a lot of fun just listening to the talented cast chew through the dialogue, military acronyms and all. This is what puts ‘Rebel Ridge’ above the level of straight-to-home entertainment movie quality that the genre likes to exploit.

In directing, Saulnier brings his usual realistic style, avoiding excessive exposition, but still maintaining visual interest in the Louisiana Louisiana backdrop (standing in for the small towns where the corruption found in the film is rampant). And he certainly found a way to bring out the best in the entire cast, not just Pierre and Johnson.

performance

While Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb take the lion’s share of the credit here, the cast is full of character types giving it their all.

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond

Pierre has already offered some great performances in his new career, and it’s not hard to see why directors like Barry Jenkins are looking to work with him on more than one occasion. And Terry Richmond may be at his best, a humane tough guy who likes to use his words but has no problem letting his actions speak for him when he’s pushed to it.

Richmond is a buttoned-down character by nature (a Marine with some decidedly morally gray background), but he brings him to life in a way that’s entirely believable. And when it’s time to throw, Pierre –– and the stunt team –– are more than up to the task.

Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burns

A tough-talking, frequent-spitting police chief whose down-home charisma hides racist attitudes and criminal behavior, Johnson’s Chief Bern could have been a complete cliché. But in the hands of Saulnier and the actor, he’s much more than that, and the scenes where Johnson and Pierre go toe-to-toe verbally are always great.

AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride

On the other hand, Summer can be a throwaway, underwritten female sidekick/victim role. But while he occasionally flirts with those labels, Saulnier adds a lot of depth to the character, who has his own difficult background and problems that he must help Richmond’s mission.

He’s far from a random screaming love interest (the pair share a strictly platonic relationship) and a fully rounded character.

James Cromwell as Judge

Cromwell’s role is small by design, but he’s still a memorable part of the movie. Playing the town’s judge who gets involved in some of its dodgy dealings, the actor brings depth and tragedy to the role and though he has few scenes, he makes a mark.

Supporting cast

The ensemble is filled with people who know how to do a lot in small character roles, such as Steve Geese and David Denman (a down-at-the-hill court clerk and a local cop who have more integrity than might initially appear), and Saulnier in almost every part. Chose wisely. Emory Cohen is great as one of his colleagues who deploys casual racism, while Daniel Chung, Dana Lee and Jason Jay all get their moments in cinematic sunshine.

final thought

(L to R) Zsané Jhé as Officer Jessica Sims and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in 'Rebel Ridge'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

It represents a shift in gear from Saulnier, but it’s also up there with some of his best films. It may appear at first like a movie you’ve seen before, but ‘Rebel Ridge’ is definitely more memorable than a hundred pumped-out thrillers.

With its impressive protagonists and excellent cadre of realistic villains, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is more than worth your time.

‘Rebel Ridge’ gets 8 out of 10 stars.

What is the plot of ‘Rebel Ridge’?

In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) arrives to post bail for his cousin, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burns (Don Johnson). With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (Annasophia Robb), Terry uncovers an elaborate conspiracy in Shelby Springs and uses her “skills” to get the bail money back by any means necessary.

Who is in the cast of ‘Rebel Ridge’?

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond

Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burns

AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride

David Denman as Officer Evan Marston

Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lan

Steve Geese as Elliott

James Cromwell as Judge

(L to R) Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burns and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Alison Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Don Johnson Movies and TV Shows:

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To watch our interview with the cast of ‘Rebel Ridge’, please click on the video player below.