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Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) is riding his mountain bike through the small town of Shelby Springs. He's only there to post bail for his cousin then get right back out of town. However, his plan is quickly derailed as he's purposely struck by a police car. The small-town cops search Terry under false pretenses and when they find the money, $30,000 in total, they decide they're going to keep it all as they claim that the money must be drug related.
Despite his best efforts, Terry is unable to get through to the officers just how important it is that his cousin post bail and not be transferred to prison. Not one to back down, especially when he's done nothing wrong, Terry takes his case all the way to the Shelby Springs Chief of Police, Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). When Chief Burnne digs his heels in and sides with his officers, it's time to buckle up because we are off to the races.
If you're familiar with writer/director Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room, Blue Ruin, Hold the Dark), you know that you're not in for your standard action movie. The character of Terry Richmond is written to be more than just someone who is trigger happy and hellbent on revenge. There's an eerie sense of calm that goes along with his large physical presence. Not to mention that Terry doesn't seem all that interested in violence at all.
Whether you knew of him before or not, Aaron Pierre will be on your radar after his performance in Rebel Ridge. He has himself an absolute feast with the role of Terry Richmond. When he speaks, he has your attention. When he lets his actions do the talking, you have no choice but to pay attention. And when the character of Terry is experiencing/processing emotions, you guessed it, you're hooked and going through that journey with him.
Every great good guy needs an equally as great bad guy to feud with and let me tell you, Don Johnson more than delivers. He plays the corrupt chief so well that you'd be hard pressed to find anything remotely redeeming about him.
What sets Rebel Ridge apart is that the action is slower-paced and methodical. Every move is as-if it were planned out three moves in advance. We have a protagonist who does everything possible to de-escalate situations, and when push comes to shove, will rely on non-lethal tactics. Doesn't exactly sound like a barn burner, does it? Well, it is.
In fact, the first and third acts kept me on the edge of my seat. It's the middle act that drags Rebel Ridge down. Nothing at all against AnnaSophia Robb, I liked her as Summer. The problem was the direction that the script went with the introduction of the subplot of Summer. Things became a bit convoluted and bogged down. Not that it didn't serve a purpose, rather the execution of the purpose was a misfire.
All in all, Rebel Ridge is an enjoyable action movie that puts Aaron Pierre on the map.
If you were on the fence about streaming this Netflix original, definitely check it out.
🍿 SCORE = 85 / 100
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