The only movie you need to watch on Netflix right now: ‘Rebel Ridge’
A good action thriller doesn’t always mean stylised violence that meets genre aesthetics. It could sometimes mean grounded action with real consequences that doesn’t thrive on the uptick of body count, just the thrill of neutralising a threat that feels heroic and still humane. So, in case the latter camp is your brand of pick for action thrillers, the only movie you need to watch on Netflix right now is Rebel Ridge.
Rebel Ridge follows former Marine officer Terry Richmond and his attempts to bail out his cousin, whose freedom was hijacked by a crooked small-town police force wielding civil forfeiture. Just like its unique premise, which feels eerily timely, it subverts predictability by departing from the constructed tropes of the genre.
Action, again, is not just a genre in Rebel Ridge. It’s a carry-forward vehicle that visually showers spine-chills and simultaneously carves out its own niche for rationalised violence. The film tackles serious themes of police corruption by peeling back the layers of systematic injustices to condemn the abuse of power by institutions that propagate marginalisation in contemporary society.
Rebel Ridge is a movie that appeals to viewers of every demography. The 2024 film defamiliarises the idea of a protector, delving into the struggles and moral dilemmas of human nature despite the progress of civilisation. But again, it’s not a movie where the body count goes up like the temperature on a summer day.
Rather, Rebel Ridge is a movie where the action sequences feel earned, sometimes even deserved. The action thriller currently enjoys a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, although the audience polarity persists with a 73% rating on Popcornmeter. But if these split opinions have taught us anything, it’s to decide for yourselves.
Aaron Pierre serves as the anchor of the movie, whose standout performance is honestly one for the books. He brings enough depth and reality with his delivery that makes the Netflix film a star in itself. But for those expecting a rush, we warn you, it’s not your typical thriller. It slowly burns and carefully detaches itself from over-the-top action spectacles.
But most importantly, the film talks to the audience. It encourages viewers to question and introspect, even if it means confronting the deemed protectors of civilians. And since it doesn’t pace like a serial killer on the loose, it lets you breathe with its focused narrative, keeping you away from any traditional catharsis. In essence, Rebel Ridge is a mix of gripping narration and intelligent restraint. So, if you’re in for a ride that’s thoughtful and intense at the same time, go for it.