‘Rebel Ridge’: Jeremy Saulnier’s Timely and Unflinching Thriller Depicting Systemic Abuse of Power in America

Rebel Ridge (2024) is a vigorous and forthright action thriller starring Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a Marine veteran intent on bailing his cousin Mike Simmons (C.J. LeBlanc) out of jail in Shelby Springs, Louisiana. Cycling into town, Terry is intercepted by police officers Evan Marston (David Denman) and Steve Lann (Emory Cohen) and forced to watch as Mike's $36,000 in bail money is confiscated under civil asset forfeiture laws.

Terry seeks legal recourse to contest the seizure but is met with resistance from both courthouse personnel and Police Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson), who warns him to cut his losses and leave town. Undeterred, Richmond enlists the help of courthouse employee Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb) and pushes forward in a desperate bid to save his cousin. His military training in close-quarters combat soon proves indispensable as he clashes with a police department reliant on asset forfeiture to sustain their near-bankrupt town—Richmond’s fight evolving into a battle against systemic abuse of power and the erosion of fundamental rights.

Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin, Green Room), Rebel Ridge is a fierce and whip-smart thriller, delivered with masterful craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Pierre’s no-nonsense performance heralds a star in the making, his involvement in the production an enormous stroke of providence after John Boyega abandoned the role. Pierre is pitch-perfect in Saulnier's searing tale of vengeance, delivered with just the right touch of temperance, while anchoring an incredibly timely exploration of corruption and justice.

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