Rebel Ridge (2024) Dir: Jeremy Saulnier
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I knew nothing of this Jeremy Saulnier directed Netflix original before I watched it, other than that it looked like it had some potential. That said, as the majority of readers will know, those netflix produced films can be all over the place. Despite this, I was still interested by what looked to be a solid crime thriller.
The action felt grounded, and didn't stray into the absurd sequences and choreography that you often see in other action films, which, while spectacular, never feel realistic. Almost everything in the film had a sense of believability to it, which added that extra little hint of enjoyability, for me.
The film had a focused narrative, which ramped up in intensity as it progressed, and pulled the audience down a rabbit hole of mystery and danger. Much of it was built around a very real and very legal regulation that seems ripe for picking holes in; civil asset forfeiture. Despite how it may sound, the plot was very interesting, and kept me intensely hooked. The film's final moments were slightly jarring, but upon reflection, I can see what Saulnier was going for.
Aaron Pierre had a touch of Jack Reacher to him; he was handsome, mysterious and righteous, which made him a very solid protagonist. I really enjoyed his performance, be it his hard-skin with a soft centre character work, or his excellent action work, it was all very commendable.
AnnaSophia Robb had some really strong scenes, particularly in the middle portion of the film. I thoroughly enjoyed those, and while some of her acting around those was perhaps not quite as strong, this was, all-in-all, a good performance.
Don Johnson and his character's compatriots; played by Emory Cohen, David Denman and Zsané Jhé, all provided some very detestable characters for the film's protagonist's to push back against. All of their acting was pretty believable, and I thought they each played their roles very well. I will also give very quick mentions to the pair of James Cromwell and C.J. LeBlanc, for their small, but well-acted, supportive roles.
Overall, this was an unexpected, but very much appreciated humdinger of an action thriller. It would've been so easy to over-write this and do too much, but I think Saulnier played it just right, and produced a really excellent film. This might even be one of the best films released this year that I've seen.
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