REBEL RIDGE is a new Netflix thriller from the director of Green Room, Jeremy Saulnier. While this movie is definitely a thriller and an action movie, the drama and crime story at the heart of it come front and center.

As such, it becomes a story of right and wrong. Morality and corruption. However, and this is where it really won me over, it also manages to focus on the many gray areas. I liked that.

So much so that even the 2-hour and 11-minute runtime worked.

I’ll admit that I expected this to be a new take on First Blood and expected a John Rambo type, but that wasn’t quite the case. It’s still a movie with lots of action and violence, but the blood is actually at a minimum.

This is due to the way our main protagonist fights. He avoids weapons as much as possible to keep injuries and casualties at a minimum.

When Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) rides his bike into a small town, he is on his way to help his cousin. However, he has no idea what he’s getting himself into.

While on his way to bail out his cousin from jail, the ex-Marine is hurled off his bike by a police car. Once they see that he has a lot of cash on him, they decide that they better hang on to that money.

After all, it could be the result of criminal activity. And nothing Terry says will convince them otherwise. Even proof of where the money came from.

Watch Rebel Ridge on Netflix
Rebel Ridge comes from the acclaimed writer-director Jeremy Saulnier. He previously made Green Room, Blue Ruin, and Hold The Dark.

For me, this movie works so well thanks to the very human approach to the story. Instead of just being a story where violence and action are constantly at the forefront. I mean, it is a big part of the story, but the actual story is good as well.

Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier talked about working with “smaller scale, bigger impact” for Rebel Ridge which describes it perfectly. It’s much more organic and authentic in its approach.

Also, if you find it wildly unbelievable (the core story, I mean), then just check out episode 2 of Worst Ex Ever on Netflix. This should show you just how easily you can get into trouble with the law due to other people’s decision to mess with you.

And also, how difficult it is to get back out of trouble. Something many true crime docuseries have also focused on. Check out this pulse-pounding thriller about fighting for justice. Great action and a greater story.

REBEL RIDGE is on Netflix on September 6, 2024.