‘Rebel Ridge’ Review: Aaron Pierre-Jeremy Saulnier’s Netflix Thriller Divides Critics With Its ‘Slow-Burn’ and ‘Tightly-Controlled’ Approach

Rebel Ridge is an action thriller written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, featuring Aaron Pierre in the lead role as Terry Richmond. The latest Netflix release, which debuted on September 6, has received a mixed response from critics. While some have praised the film for its ‘tightly-controlled thrills’ and effective tension-building, others have criticised its pacing, describing it as a ‘slow-burn’ thriller. The film blends social commentary with action, creating a varied response from viewers. John Boyega Exits Netflix Film 'Rebel Ridge' Citing Family Reasons.

The synopsis of Rebel Ridge reads: “In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) has come to post bail for his cousin and to buy a truck, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). Terry aims to retrieve the bail money, with the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb) who also unearths a widespread conspiracy within Shelby Springs.” Take a look at what the critics have to say about this newly released film.

Watch the Trailer of ‘Rebel Ridge’ Below:

Vulture: “Jeremy Saulnier, director of such films as Blue Ruin, Green Room, and Hold the Dark, is our current master of the slow-burn action movie. He resists going straight for the beatdowns and the shoot-outs, opting instead to let anticipation work its magic. His films feel spectacularly violent because we spend so much time imagining all the mayhem to come.”

Times Now: “Saulnier's feature is a tad long as it keeps hitting home the narrative that the police force of Shelby Springs is lawless. When the film switches back to Terry and his mission to get back at those who have wronged him, Rebel Ridge rises in all the right places. The final act is agitating and triggering in places as Terry put it all on the line.”

Variety: “Ultimately muscular and effective if predictable, Saulnier’s latest reaffirms his bona fides as a deliverer of sturdy, tightly-controlled thrills. Not unlike the men who are often the focus of stories like this, “Rebel Ridge” is a film where familiar instincts too often take over, when a more nuanced or inventive approach might have produced a more satisfying end result for all involved.”

Irish Times: “Behind-the-scenes drama and Covid have wreaked havoc on Jeremy Saulnier’s effective and long-delayed thriller. The American auteur’s fifth feature arrives four years and two shutdowns after the cameras started rolling. Fans of the film-maker’s Blue Ruin and Green Room will find plenty to love in this robust revenge action movie.”

Rebel Ridge also features Don Johnson, Emory Cohe, AnnaSophia Robb, James Cromwell, David Denman, among others in pivotal roles.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2024 08:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).