Warning! This post contains spoilers for Netflix’s Rebel Ridge.
There are seven solid reasons why Rebel Crest receives almost unanimous praise from viewers and critics and boasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Crest It features a compelling hook in its opening moments, where a former Marine, Terry Richmond, enters a small town and is rammed off the road by a police vehicle. Things then only get worse for Richmond after police officers confiscate the money he wanted to use to bail his cousin out of prison.
The deeper Terry digs into finding a way to get his money back, the more he learns about the dark side of systemic corruption in Central City. Rebel CrestAs the plot of ‘s suggests, the Netflix action film dabbles in familiar themes and tried and tested tropes of the action genre. However, the way the Netflix action film presents and handles these elements makes it stand out among most other action films, which explains why it has been well received by almost all critics.
6 Rebel Ridge offers incredible performance
Aaron Pierre perfectly portrays the quiet intensity of Terry Richmond
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Aaron Pierre was reportedly not the first choice to play Rebel Crest‘s lead, Terry Richmond. Long before landing the role, John Boyega was cast to play Terry. However, John Boyega abruptly left the project in June 2021, leading to Rebel CrestThe Terry filmmakers had to find a replacement. That’s when Aaron Pierre joined the film. The actor’s participation in the film has been a turning point, given the perfection with which Pierre captures Terry’s intense calm.
While one can never guess how John Boyega would have interpreted the
Rebel Crest
character, it’s hard to imagine anyone else other than Aaron Pierre playing Terry Richmond after seeing the film.
Pierre brilliantly portrays how Terry Richmond maintains a stoic attitude and avoids confrontation unless necessary. At the same time, he also manages to capture the contrasting rage that continues to brew within the former Marine after the central city police force keeps testing him. While one can never guess how John Boyega would have portrayed the Rebel Crest character, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Aaron Pierre playing Terry Richmond after seeing the film.
5 Rebel Ridge is reminiscent of classic action movies
The film is similar to First Blood and Walking Tall in more ways than one.
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Both narratively and thematically, Rebel Crest reminiscent of several classic action movies, such as Walking upright and First bloodIt includes several hallmarks that once defined the action genre, from a larger-than-life hero to witty one-liners, from a straightforward story to Iron Maiden soundtracks. However, despite playing with these elements and instilling a sense of nostalgia in viewers, Rebel Crest It makes no bones about avoiding some of the genre’s more over-the-top elements. Overall, it strikes the perfect balance between maintaining empathy and paying homage to its roots in the genre.
4 Rebel Ridge masterfully builds tension without being too violent
The possibility of violence looms throughout the film
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Jeremy Saulnier is known for using graphic violence as a primary narrative device to drive the stories of his films. Murder Party, Blue ruin, Keep the darknessand Green room They do not refrain from including brutal scenes and a disturbing aesthetic that enhances their impact. However, unlike Saulnier’s previous films, Rebel Crest There is hardly any violence. In fact, there are only a handful of intense action scenes. The film manages to build up the tension gradually, masterfully showing how the possibility of violence looms over every moment of the story.
Rebel Ridge ending explained
After a gripping showdown between Terry Richmond and the police, Rebel Ridge’s gripping action drama finally ends on a positive note.
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From the very first scene, when Terry’s bike is beaten by the cops, it’s hard not to anticipate a fight between the highly trained Marine and the law enforcement officers. Despite hinting at this possibility, however, the film only steps on the gas in its final arc, where Terry finally unleashes his fury. Even when he does, he avoids resorting to lethal methods to take down the police force. This effectively draws a clear line between the good and bad cops in the film, as the officers don’t think twice about settling for violent methods to control innocent civilians.
3 Rebel Ridge has a great director at the helm
Jeremy Saulnier cements his place as a talented director with Rebel Ridge
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Like Jeremy Saulnier’s previous films, Rebel Crest The film follows a simple story about one man’s fight against systemic injustice. However, the brilliance with which the director combines these familiar and simple story elements to generate a vibrant sense of tension throughout its footage makes the film stand out. Rebel Crest Not much is given about Terry Richmond’s relationship with his cousin Mike. However, with just one scene, in which Richmond runs into a speeding bus to fist-bump his cousin, the film provides enough insight into their relationship.
The director also almost turns the central city into a separate character by capturing how corruption is so ingrained in it that no one, not even the few moral police officers, dare to question what is wrong before Terry arrives.
Scenes like these are a testament to Saulnier’s ability to tell compelling stories and create grounded characters, ones that resonate deeply with audiences. In addition to delivering memorable character and plot moments, Saulnier also immerses viewers in the film’s setting, making them spectators to the injustices Richmond faces before fighting back. The director also nearly turns the central city into a standalone character by capturing how corruption is so ingrained in its fabric that no one, not even the few moral police officers, dare to question what’s wrong before Terry arrives.
2 Rebel Ridge Puts a New Spin on a Familiar Trope
The film subtly delves into themes of racism and police brutality.
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As Reacher, Road house, Walking upright, Ramboand several other action films and television shows, Rebel Crest riffs on the “Strange mysterious” trope. It follows a man whose background initially remains hidden, portraying him as a mere victim of a small town’s rampant corruption. However, unlike most similar movies and shows, it avoids jumping into the action. Before getting to the climactic showdown between the police officers and Terry Richmond, it highlights how the protagonist must first navigate the legal odds stacked against him despite being formidable and powerful.
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Key facts about Rebel Ridge |
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Directed and written by |
Jeremy Saulnier |
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Execution time |
2 hours 11 minutes |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
95% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
78% |
Rather than being purely a pitched battle between good and evil, Red Rebel It is presented as a nuanced political thriller that addresses real issues related to flawed laws and racism. It shows how, despite realizing that most police officers in the central city are racially biased, Terry must keep his head down and not question authority in order to avoid trouble. The political intrigue of the film makes it even more relatable and realistic.
1 Rebel Ridge offers enough suspense to keep you hooked throughout its duration
The film is constantly driven by a strong sense of purpose.
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Throughout its duration, Rebel Crest gives viewers something to look forward to. For example, in its initial arc, it’s hard not to stay immersed in Terry’s struggles and wonder if he’ll rescue his cousin before it’s too late. After Mike’s death, the film continues to hint that Terry is on the brink of insanity and that only one more run-in with the police will push him to prove to them what he’s capable of.
Production on Rebel Ridge began in 2019, but due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of John Boyega, it took Jeremy Saulnier nearly five years to complete the film.
When the character finally loses his cool and sets out to unmask the city police, the film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats by gradually revealing Terry and Summer’s grand plan. There is not a single dull moment in Rebel Crest as it constantly raises the stakes for the main character and implies that the police officers have made a mistake by messing with him. Even when Rebel Crest It’s not exactly a narrative advancement, but Aaron Pierre’s performance as Terry Richmond is enough to keep one interested.
Rebel Crest 
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ActionCrimeDrama
Former Marine Terry Richmond travels to Shelby Springs to bail out his cousin, only to discover that a corrupt local police force has unjustly confiscated his savings. With the help of court clerk Summer McBride, Terry uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy and vows to bring justice to the town.
Director Jeremy Saulnier Release Date September 6, 2024 Writers Jeremy Saulnier Cast Aaron Pierre , Don Johnson , AnnaSophia Robb , David Denman , Emory Cohen , Oscar Gale , Reid Williams , Steve Zissis Character(s) Terry Richmond , Chief Sandy Burnne , Summer McBride , Officer Evan Marston , Officer Steve Lann , Skinny Guard , Defendant , Elliot Runtime 131 minutes Primary Genre Crime Expand