Rebel Ridge
★★★ 1/2
If you like your action movies laced with a little social commentary and a whole lot of Southern grit, Rebel Ridge is absolutely worth your time. I’m not usually one to dive headfirst into the revenge genre—I’ve never seen a Taken movie and only caught one John Wick—but Rebel Ridge pulled me in fast, and honestly, I wasn’t ready for how much I’d enjoy the ride.
Set in the Deep South, the movie kicks off with a punch—literally and narratively. Our lead Terry Richmond, played with a quiet ferocity by Aaron Pierre, is stopped by local cops and has a personal item taken from him. That might sound simple, but there’s a whole lot more going on under the surface. That item? It’s not just a MacGuffin—it’s the emotional key to the entire movie.
What follows is part personal vendetta, part war on a corrupt small-town system, and part old-school action flick. Don Johnson—yes, that Don Johnson—shows up in full villain mode, perfectly cast as the head of the local law enforcement who clearly underestimates just who he’s messing with. Watching our hero take on this town is like watching a chess match… that occasionally explodes.
There’s also a romantic subplot involving a woman who works at the courthouse (AnnaSophia Robb), and while it didn’t totally land for me, it doesn’t derail the film’s momentum. That said, the runtime clocks in at just over two hours, and it could’ve packed an even stronger punch if trimmed to a leaner 90 minutes.
Still, Rebel Ridge blends adrenaline with commentary, and delivers some thoughtful punches about racial profiling and institutional power without ever forgetting it’s here to entertain. This isn’t just mindless shoot-em-up fare—it’s got something to say. And for a straight-to-Netflix movie? It’s one of the best I’ve seen in a while.
Put it on your “watch while folding laundry but end up sitting on the couch the whole time” list. I’m definitely curious to see what both director, Jeremy Saulnier, and Pierre cook up next.
