After making a name for himself with critically acclaimed features such as Blue Ruin (2013), Green Room (2015), and Hold the Dark (2018), Jeremy Saulnier continues his remarkable run with Rebel Ridge, a gripping small-town crime conspiracy thriller that he wrote, produced, directed, and edited, further solidifying his position as one of the most exciting talents working today.
Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), a martial arts expert and an ex-marine, is stopped and detained by two police officers while bicycling through the small town of Shelby Springs. The cops illegally frisk him and discover $36,000 in his possession, which he acquired by selling his truck and restaurant stakes to secure bail for his cousin Mike (C.J. LeBlanc), who is in jail for drug (weed) possession. Terry badly wants to bail Mike out of jail before he is transferred to a state penitentiary, mainly because Mike was a critical witness to a murder case involving a gang lord, and there is a risk that he may be identified in a state prison, endangering his life. However, the cops seize the money by falsely claiming that they suspect it to be drug money, putting Terry in a terrible predicament. As a result, Terry tries everything—including going to the police station and filing a complaint against the cops—to retrieve the funds, but is met with hostility and rejection from Police Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and his men. With his back up against the wall, Terry gains an ally in Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), a court clerk who is also a victim of a broken system. In their efforts to free Mike, they unearth a massive corruption scam involving Chief Sandy Burnne and the whole police department, putting both of their lives in danger.
The film’s opening scene is a model of cinematic setup; it not only sets the tone and essence of what the film will be about, but it also demonstrates how to structure a scene so that it builds tension and hooks the audience from the get-go without wasting a second. The scene begins with Terry leisurely riding his bicycle while listening to Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast when he is suddenly knocked down by a patrol car and illegally held by two police officers. Considering Terry’s race, viewers immediately feel a sense of dread as they consider the possibilities of the police’s actions and Terry’s potential reaction—will he resist or speak up—which might provide the police an excuse to abuse their authority. Thankfully, Terry restraints his emotions and follows the police’s orders without showing any signs of fear or intimidation. When the police discover Terry is a former marine with no priors, the tension subsides slightly until, suddenly, the officers uncover a substantial sum of cash in Terry’s backpack. The cops confiscate the money, and the suspense builds to a peak as we speculate on Terry’s actions, given how severely he needs the money. The scene ends on a note that masterfully sets the stage for the rest of the film, in which he must race against time to save his cousin and encounter increasingly dangerous situations in recovering his money from the racist cops.
The first half of the film focuses on Terry’s desperate attempts to reclaim his money, which leads to several tense moments, including his confrontation with Chief Sandy outside the police station while the cops inside are trying to learn more about Terry’s background. When they realize what he specializes in, the confrontation outside escalates, and the scene ends with Terry asserting his dominance for the first time. Halfway through, the film takes a more procedural turn as it delves further into the specifics of the corruption perpetrated by the police and how Summer and Terry learn about it. Even though the second half isn’t quite as nail-biting as the first, the corruption scheme’s intricacies make it an intriguing watch. The film builds to a fever pitch in its climactic showdown, expertly staged to immerse viewers in the setting while the stress and stakes remain palpable. Through Rebel Ridge, Saulnier explores the rotten and flawed nature of the legal system, revealing how powerful individuals, particularly those who have pledged to defend the public, tweak and abuse it for their own benefit.
As Terry Richmond, Aaron Pierre captivates audiences with his magnetic screen presence and remarkable acting chops; he has all the makings of a future movie star. From the subdued emotions he displays when the police harass him in the beginning to the desperation he exhibits in saving his cousin and, finally, the intensity and determination he brings to his character towards the end, Pierre more than convincingly conveys every emotion. Another strong performance comes from AnnaSophia Robb, who convincingly portrays Summer and plays the ideal supporting character to Aaron’s Terry. Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge is a wild ride that warrants multiple viewings and will be right up there with some of the most intriguing small-town thriller flicks; I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
Rebel Ridge movie links: Letterboxd, Wikipedia
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