Rebel Ridge (2024)

Rebel Ridge

Plot

Rebel Ridge is a thrilling crime drama that centers around Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine who finds himself in the town of Shelby Springs, where corruption runs deep. Terry comes to the town intending to post bail for his cousin but is met with resistance. His savings, which were to be used for the bail, are unlawfully seized by the town’s corrupt law enforcement, led by Chief Sandy Burnne. Determined to get the money back and expose the corrupt system, Terry partners with Summer McBride, a court clerk, and together they embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about Shelby Springs.

The movie showcases an intense exploration of systemic corruption, justice, and revenge, with Terry's relentless pursuit of the truth forming the crux of the narrative. Themes of small-town politics and the individual against the system come to the forefront, making this movie a hard-hitting commentary on the misuse of power.

Cast

The film features a diverse and talented cast:

• Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, the protagonist who confronts the corruption of a small town.
• Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne, the head of law enforcement and antagonist.
• AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride, a clerk who helps Terry in his mission.
• Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lahn, a corrupt police officer.
• David Denman as Officer Evan Marston.
• James Cromwell as the town’s judge.
• Zsané Jhé as Officer Jessica Sims.
• C.J. LeBlanc as Mike Simmons.
• Dana Lee as Mr. Liu, a resident involved in the town’s corruption.
• Steve Zissis as Elliot, another key figure in the plot.

Production

Production of Rebel Ridge began in 2021, but the journey to completion was far from smooth. Initially, John Boyega was cast in the lead role. However, after filming began in May 2021 in Leesville, Louisiana, Boyega left the project, citing personal reasons. Reports suggest that Boyega departed without informing the producers in advance, and rumors indicated disagreements regarding the script and accommodations. Boyega’s representatives, however, refuted these claims, insisting that his exit was due to genuine family reasons.

Following Boyega's exit, the production was paused for several months while the filmmakers searched for a replacement. Eventually, Aaron Pierre stepped into the lead role, and filming resumed between April and June 2022. Director Jeremy Saulnier later confirmed that production wrapped up in July 2022 after a tumultuous process. Saulnier mentioned that despite the setbacks, he felt at peace with the final product.

Saulnier is known for his previous work on films like Green Room and Hold the Dark, which are characterized by their gritty tone and tense atmospheres. Rebel Ridge continues in that vein, combining high-stakes drama with visceral action scenes.

Release

After considerable delays, Netflix finally announced that Rebel Ridge would be released on September 6, 2024. The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes and is rated TV-MA due to its strong language, violence, and references to sensitive themes like suicide.

The film marks Saulnier’s return to the director’s chair six years after his last feature, Hold the Dark, which debuted in 2018. Fans of his earlier work are eager to see how Rebel Ridge compares in terms of its intense narrative style and thematic depth.

Reception

While the movie is yet to be widely released, early reactions from test screenings have been largely positive. A test screening in July 2023 reported good reception, with viewers praising the film’s tension, performances, and gritty portrayal of small-town corruption.

As with most of Saulnier’s work, Rebel Ridge is expected to attract fans of intense thrillers and crime dramas. The involvement of established stars like Don Johnson and James Cromwell adds to the anticipation, with many excited to see their performances in a modern, hard-hitting setting.

Future

Given the film’s challenging production history and its relatively long gap since Saulnier’s last project, it remains unclear whether Rebel Ridge will spawn sequels or related projects. However, if the movie performs well, it could open the door for further collaborations between Saulnier and Netflix. Saulnier has built a reputation for delivering intense, memorable films, and Rebel Ridge may very well continue that trend.

See Also

Fans of Jeremy Saulnier might also enjoy his previous works, such as:

• Green Room (2015) – A brutal survival thriller about a punk band trapped by a group of neo-Nazis.
• Hold the Dark (2018) – A slow-burning mystery set in the wilderness of Alaska.
• Blue Ruin (2013) – An indie revenge thriller that first put Saulnier on the map.

Additionally, those interested in stories of small-town corruption and systemic injustice might find similar themes in films like Wind River (2017) and Out of the Furnace (2013).

References

• What's on Netflix - Rebel Ridge
• ComingSoon - Rebel Ridge