Experience the Must-See Film of the Weekend: Rebel Ridge on Netflix

Rebel Ridge is arguably one of the greatest films to come out of Netflix, delivering a clever, nail-bitingly intense, and emotionally satisfying action movie that can be considered the modern-day equivalent of First Blood. Some may say I am exaggerating, but I stand by my statement.

Jeremy Saulnier is known for his no-nonsense approach. Blue Ruin is a tense and unrelenting tale about the destructive nature of seeking revenge; violence only leads to more violence, and no amount of bloodshed can erase the pain. His highly impressive successor, Green Room, challenges the boundaries between survival and cruelty (featuring Patrick Stewart as a neo-Nazi).

Rebel Ridge seems to be the opposite of his debut, as he is not seeking revenge. Despite being an ex-Marine and a pioneer of the Martial Arts Program, he does not use violence unless absolutely necessary. He believes in using non-lethal methods to de-escalate situations.

Despite eventually turning to extreme violence against guerrillas, Rambo initially had no intention of harming anyone. He ventured into the town of Hope, which had ironically betrayed its namesake. Now, over four decades later, Rebel Ridge is the first film to capture the essence of one of the greatest action films of all time in a contemporary setting.

Rambo Meets Reacher in Rebel Ridge

The latest film, now streaming on Netflix, features a highly compelling premise: a group of small-town criminals unwittingly provoke the formidable abilities of an individual with a unique skill set (such as those seen in The Equalizer, Harry Brown, Death Wish, and other similar titles).

In this instance, our protagonist is portrayed by Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre, known for his role as Mid-Sized Sedan (!) in Old). He has made the decision to sell his truck and cash in his investment in a restaurant, all in pursuit of a single objective: to bail his cousin out of jail.

As he rides his bike into Shelby Springs, he is forcefully knocked off the road by the town’s police. Initially, it appears to be a clear case of racial discrimination, but there is another aspect at play: they “legally”confiscate his bond money and refuse to return it. In an attempt to report their actions as a crime, Terry angers the town’s chief of police, Don Johnson.

His only choice remaining was to personally haunt these individuals: “I have to take matters into my own hands.”

Don Johnson and Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge — Netflix

Pierre is truly remarkable. His performance is a star-is-born moment, exuding a commanding and intimidating presence while still exuding charm, similar to Reacher but with even more courtesy. The supporting cast is exceptional; Johnson portrays the perfect antagonist, while AnnaSophia Robb shines as a sympathetic and melancholic aide.

Saulnier’s economy of storytelling is a major asset. The story is lean and focused, with no unnecessary tangents or convoluted subplots. It moves quickly, only pausing to provide necessary context for the corruption within the police force, which is portrayed with brutal honesty.

Despite searching through Netflix, it’s unlikely you’ll come across another movie that is as skillfully and precisely directed as this one. The use of tracking shots is subtle rather than overt, and the action scenes are both realistic and showcase Pierre’s movie star physicality. The back-and-forth dialogue is meticulously framed to heighten tension and evoke emotion. Additionally, the film’s crisp and striking visuals break through Netflix’s usual color scheme, making it a visually stunning experience.

Despite its categorization as a quintessential dad movie for 2024 and being frequently suggested through text with a thumbs up, this film is also an exceptionally clever and gripping thriller from one of the most intriguing directors of our time. It is truly a must-watch.