Fans of John Wick and Reacher, two great representatives of the contemporary action genre, are in luck with the latest release from Netflix, an exciting thriller that has become an immediate success on the platform globally and more than deservedly so.

From the writer/director of Green Room, Blue Ruin, and Hold the Dark, Rebel Ridge is a fast-paced and thrilling movie that follows an ex-Marine who confronts corruption in a small town when the local police unjustly confiscate the money bag he needs for his cousin's bail.

"They started this war. He will be the one to end it," reads the slogan. The story begins when Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre, The Underground Railroad) arrives in the town of Shelby Springs with a simple but urgent mission: to pay bail for his cousin and save him from imminent danger.

After being run over on his motorcycle by a local policeman, he is searched and they find $36,000 in his backpack, his life savings that he intended to use in part for bail and in part to start a business. The money is confiscated using civil asset forfeiture laws.

Terry must confront the local police chief, Sandy Burnne (masterfully played by Don Johnson), and his tough agents. He finds an unexpected ally in judicial secretary Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb, Dr. Death), and they both find themselves caught in a deep-seated conspiracy in the town.

The stakes are lethal, and Terry must rely on his mysterious past to end the department's control over the community, bring justice to his family, and protect Summer in the process.

Critical and Public Success

Released on September 6, Rebel Ridge went straight to number one on Netflix's most-watched movies list in over 80 countries and has an average of 95% positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting Aaron Pierre's performance, Saulnier's direction, and its entertainment value.

"This is not your typical tough-guy cinema in the style of Road-House, which seizes any excuse to increase bloodshed," says the Daily Telegraph, "instead, it pauses and restrains: the body count is impressively close to zero."

The New York Times review praises the soundtrack work, "a relentless tattoo of drones and drums." It also praises the cinematography by David Gallego, who "like our protagonist, moves with measured intelligence and tactically uses all mirrors in sight, raising our heart rates." 

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence