Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Netflix’s Rebel Ridge.
Rebel Ridgecenters around the former marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), who is biking to the small town of Shelby Springs in order to post bail for his cousin, Mike, who is in prison. Although Terry’s intentions are to give Mike an opportunity to have a better life and redeem himself, he is stopped by police officers Evan Marston (David Denman) and Steve Lann (Emory Cohen), who seize his cash after accusing him of selling drugs. After Mike is killed in prison anda conspiracyinvolving the local Police Chief Burnne (Don Johnson) is revealed, Terry becomes a one-man army determined to ensure that justice is carried out. The stakes could not be higher, butTerry’s determination not to kill anyone makesRebel Ridgea more inventive action thriller.
‘Rebel Ridge’ Isn’t Really About Violence
One of the most defining characteristics of Terry is that he does not want to commit violence, nor does he have anyone’s death on his hands. Although it is explained early on that he received advanced combat training with his service in the Marines, Terry neversaw combat in a war,and thus is uncomfortable about taking someone’s life. While Terry’s desire for revenge escalates after he is constantly disrespected by Burnne and his shady officers, he does not go to Shelby Springs with the intention of causing a commotion. One of the most defining sequences is a standoff with Burnne, in which Terry uses his hulking frame to block the chief from accessing his weapon; Terry may have diffused a potentially violent scenario, but he’s still in a position where he has complete power over his opponent.
Rebel Ridgeis unique because Terry discovers that violence won’t solve anything. One of the reasons that his initial confrontation with Marston and Lann is so uncomfortable is that Terry knows that the two officers are looking for any excuse to start a fight with him; the film understands that, as a Black man in America, Terry is aware that any acts of aggression on his part could lead to serious and potentially lethal consequences. The realization that Terry makes is that while beating up the cops may provide him with a temporary level of satisfaction, the only way for real change to occur is if he is able to collect evidence that points to the coverup involving the department’s funding.The film’s ending is effectivebecause Terry is fighting to collect the SD cards that point to the obvious miscarriages of justice that have occurred amidst Burnne’s service as the chief.
‘Rebel Ridge’ Is a Sensitive Portrayal of Masculinity
Although his massive build makes him one of the coolest action heroes of the year,Pierre brings a sensitivity to Terrythat isnot often seen in action cinema.After Burnne escorts Terry to the hospital to inform him that his cousin died, he is briefly uncuffed, as if the cops are goading him into starting a brawl. While most action movies would use this as a means of kickstarting an intense hand-to-hand combat scene,Rebel Ridgeallows Terry to break down in tears as he recovers from the loss. It’s a deeply affecting scene because it shows that Terry is far more devastated than he is angry; he’s not a character who went to Shelby Springs with the express purpose of starting a fight. Terry’s recognition that his cousin’s death was the result of the civil asset seizure policy, as well as the racism on the part of the department, is what leads him to take more drastic actions in the third act.
The lack of death inRebel Ridgemakes the action scenes more inventive, as the film would have been far less compelling if Terry had walked into the police station with guns blazing as he triedto commit a mission of revenge.This is in part due to Terry’s compassionate side; he recognizes that his new ally Summer McBridge (AnnaSophia Robb), an employee at the courthouse, would also be put at risk of losing her child’s custody if she were to be implicated in his scheme. The last act ofRebel Ridgeis absolutely electrifying, as Terry understands that there is a greater importance to his endeavors than anything that specifically involves Burnne, Marston, or Lann. Beating them to a pulp may provide him with some temporary satisfaction, but it won’t put an end to this corrupt policy that could claim the lives of more innocent men like Mike. By exposing the hypocrisy, Terry has the opportunity to spare other families the same experience with grief that he knows all too well now.
The 6 Things You Need To Know About Netflix’s Gritty Revenge Thriller ‘Rebel Ridge’
Aaron Pierre fights to take down a corrupt police force.
Rebel Ridgeexplores the inherently insatiable nature of revenge, as Terry’s anger is what makes him more focused, and not less in control. In many ways, it is a complete inverse of the narrative arcin Saulnier’s breakout filmBlue Ruin; while that film’s protagonist (Macon Blair) was an untrained would-be-assassin who ends up getting caught up in a cycle of violence, Terry is a highly trained veteran who avoids any chance at escalation. The maturation of this concept that Saulnier has shown signifies that he has evolved significantly as a filmmaker.
Rebel Ridgeis streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
Rebel Ridge
In Rebel Ridge, a man with a mysterious past embarks on a mission to seek justice against those who wronged him. Set in a small town, the film explores themes of vengeance and redemption, as the protagonist navigates a dangerous path that tests his resolve and challenges the status quo.
Watch on Netflix
