Jeremy Saulnier, known for films like Blue Ruin, Green Room, and Hold the Dark, is a master of crafting slow-burn action movies. He avoids jumping straight into the violence, instead building anticipation that heightens the impact of the inevitable chaos. His latest film, Rebel Ridge, now streaming on Netflix, exemplifies this approach, focusing on a man’s desperate attempts to evade violence, which only intensifies the audience’s anticipation for confrontation.
The film follows Terry Richmond (played by Aaron Pierre), a former marine who inadvertently gets caught up with corrupt authorities in a classic western-inspired scenario. After being struck by a police car while biking and subsequently detained, Terry finds his money seized by local officers. He was on his way to bail out his cousin, a former cooperating witness in a murder case who faces imminent danger as he is set to be transferred to state prison. Terry knows he cannot let that happen.
The situation is maddening for Terry, who has done nothing wrong yet finds himself at the mercy of self-satisfied police officers led by a callous chief (Don Johnson). Pierre’s performance shines as he conveys the character’s internal struggles through his expressive eyes, revealing Terry’s careful consideration and strategizing amidst the chaos. While Terry isn’t portrayed as a traditional pacifist, he continuously seeks non-violent solutions, creating a tense dynamic between his predicament and his restraint.
Unlike many action films that allow plot devices, or MacGuffins, to fade into the background, Rebel Ridge remains focused on addressing the injustices of civil asset forfeiture. Terry’s ally, Summer (AnnaSophia Robb), a hopeful lawyer working for the county clerk, often elucidates the situation, driving home the narrative’s themes. Despite some moments where the dialogue becomes bogged down in legal jargon, the central conflict propels the story forward, making minor issues easy to overlook.
Saulnier skillfully builds tension and choreographs action, combining steady camera movements with quickened edits to create a rush of adrenaline during intense scenes. He establishes clear spatial awareness, which allows for creative and satisfying action sequences. Although Rebel Ridge isn’t overly violent, the fight scenes are among the most impactful in recent cinema. The film succeeds in being both intellectually engaging and viscerally thrilling, a rarity among streaming action offerings.