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INTRODUCTION
John Boyega was the lead of this film but left the project mid-production in 2021, which means producers had to shut down and find a new lead actor before re-shooting all scenes with him.
Rebel Ridge(2024) is a crime-thriller action film with all of its parts — written, produced, directed, and edited by Jeremy Saulnier. This film was released to Netflix on September 6, 2024.
With Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond and casts of Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, and Emory Cohen, among others, this movie would surely keep one glued to the seat from the beginning to the end.
Even though it’s two hours long, Rebel Ridge feels like a fast-moving PG because of the intense nature of its storyline. Believe me, time flies by when you are in a world of suspense and action.
REBEL RIDGE TRAILER
WHAT IS REBEL RIDGE (2024) ABOUT?
The story is about Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine with a heart of pure gold, who resolves to save his cousin Mike Simmons from the serious trouble brewing for him in this quiet and simple town of Shelby Springs. A place that seemed so tranquil and peaceful slowly turned dark, taking Terry deep into a world full of corruption and injustice.
Terry tries to bail Mike out, but nothing goes as it should. All he finds are brutal police, a seriously corrupt system, and an unfeeling town that doesn’t seem to pay heed to anything called fairness. It is a case of right versus wrong, and Terry simply would not back down. The difference his journey makes is remarkable as he doesn’t shed blood to solve his problems but determination and courage are emblazoned in full view.
Will he be able to set Shelby Springs afire with change, or will his story just be a testament to how very hard it is to take up the good fight against corruption?
REBEL RIDGE (2024) FILM REVIEW
MY THOUGHTS ON REBEL RIDGE
Going into Rebel Ridge, I knew it was going to be big in terms of social issues, and it never disappointed me. It hits hard with some of the themes brought forward, like police corruption and unfair justice. Watching Terry, who just wants to help his cousin, get dragged into such a messy system is emotional. How can you even begin to fight against a system when it’s rigged?
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
Aaron Pierre is amazing in his role, and he was calm to the point of you being able to feel it and see his confidence and composure. It was pronounced through the screen. Law enforcement treated him unfairly several times.
But he would never lose his physical cool; he would just be composed, looking to “de-escalate” the situation. You feel suffocated when the system has it in for you. The laws drawn out for the protection of civilians may be used to push them into a corner. It is that helplessness that weighs down more than you think.
Jeremy Saulnier likes pushing his main characters to the limit in extreme situations that seek peace of mind through revenge because they have seen or experienced something that should not be seen or should not happen. This was the case with the remarkable Green Room (2015) and with Blue Ruin (2013).
The supporting cast is great, adding to the overall tension and excitement of the film, therefore making “Rebel Ridge” a thrilling ride from start to finish. Each of the characters feels fleshed out, adding layers to the story that make it all the more engaging.
All the characters’ performances are great, even the police, who were my least-liked characters in this movie, played their character well. It’s even difficult not to dislike these cop characters if I see them in another movie because they excellently portrayed roles as a villain; one might think this is how they are.
All these can be managed if the government can look into the police, fund them, make them wholesome, and provide them with what they need. We do need the police, and the police do need the government.
VISUALS AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
It keeps the visuals simple for the movie, but that is its plus point. Fights are messy but realistic, and the cinematography is clean and sharp. I just loved the classic noir feel of the film; there were clear shots in some moody places that added to the intensity. And Don Johnson as a supervillain – just perfect!
It’s one of those films that stays with you and which I’m already looking forward to seeing multiple times.
It certainly adds to the intensity that the lead actor has striking blue-green eyes, which draw you in and amplify the emotional weight of each scene.
The camera work in Rebel Ridge is another standout aspect—it feels timeless, capturing a classic, polished look without any of that shaky, ‘home video’ style footage that can be distracting.
The cinematography embraces a noir aesthetic, with crisp, moody visuals that set a cool, atmospheric tone throughout the film. The characters and their surroundings are beautifully framed, giving the movie a refined, old-school feel that complements the suspenseful storyline perfectly.
WRITING AND STORYTELLING
This story may not be entirely original, but that doesn’t take away from its impact. It’s one of Netflix’s standout scripts this year.
At the same time, the movie doesn’t rely heavily on violence, the strength of the story more than makes up for it. The director/writer skillfully tackles the familiar scenario of a white cop unjustly targeting a Black driver, but does so in a way that feels fresh, and believable, and avoids being overly political. The pacing is solid, and the acting is top-notch.
The first fifteen minutes will have you boiling with anger as corrupt, small-town Alabama cops rob a veteran of his life savings. The plot is packed with clever twists that keep the characters moving forward, making the first 80 minutes gripping and hard to turn away from.
Just when you’re expecting a Rambo or Die Hard-style finale, the film shifts, becoming a bit too self-righteous for its good.
THEMES
Rebel Ridge is grappling with huge themes: corruption, loyalty, and morality. It’s one of those movies that asks all the big questions: How does a person keep their values in a world that’s all but destroyed them? What is a hero? It ain’t violence; it is fighting for justice, even when it seems impossible.
CONCLUSION
I loved this movie, and I believe many others did too. The film evokes the familiar trope symbolized by action thrillers like Jack Reacher and Rambo: First Blood, but the rest is set in stone with the achievement of grounding the characters in emotional complexity.
One of the best mediocrities Netflix has been able to come up with recently. Watch this.
Now, when the government doesn’t finance the police, they become corrupt. I know some cops are naturally corrupt; nevertheless, the government needs to step in.
This movie doesn’t try to compete for awards; it just tries to show what goes on in society.
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