Rebel Ridge (Jeremy Saulnier, 2024, USA)

Rebel Ridge is the kind of film that Hollywood studios once made in the 1980s and 1990s but have been gradually phasing out. Not dissimilar to Justin Kurzel's similarly muscular action-thriller The Order, Rebel Ridge feels like a movie out of a different time. Rooted in B movie tropes, like many of Saulnier's films it both embraces and transcends these tropes at the same time. Those looking for realism may not find it here, but those looking for a revenge tale will find something to enjoy.

Essentially, the film tells the story of a former Marine named Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), who decides to go to war with a police department after the department seized money he was going to use to post his cousin's bail. Even though the premise is so simple, there is strangely a lot of intrigue and delving into the inner workings of the conspiracy of this police department. Saulnier would have benefited from cutting at least 30 minutes out of the film, as when the film does pick up steam, it is quite strong. Don Johnson, playing the captain of the corrupt police department, does a great job as an antagonist to Aaron Pierre's Terry. AnnaSophia Robb plays a local woman who supports Terry on his quest.

Despite its promise of revenge, Rebel Ridge is light on actual violence, as Terry attempts not to use violence against the police. Aaron Pierre exudes a strong physical presence in the film, although in some respects he feels too polished for the role. Nevertheless, Rebel Ridge is a solid revenge film with a very crackling finale that makes some of the film's slower passages worth going through. Rebel Ridge is likely to please Saulnier fans but is unlikely to convert anyone to join the fandom of Jeremy Saulnier.

7/10