Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge’ Amazes Critics with Its Surprising Approval

If you were at Netflix’s Los Gatos headquarters today, you might think you’ve stepped into a celebration. Imagine the air buzzing with excitement, laughter echoing through the halls, champagne flowing generously, and colleagues congratulating each other. Why the jubilation? Netflix has managed to do something remarkable: it’s about to release a new original movie, Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge, that critics actually approve of.

Alright, perhaps I’m exaggerating a tad, but it truly feels like forever since Netflix has delivered a feature film of quality. It’s been quite a dry spell since anything better than Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tart movie graced our screens. Personally, I’ve been let down countless times by Netflix films, often feeling like I squandered 90 precious minutes on subpar storytelling and average entertainment. But Rebel Ridge defies that norm.

The review embargo for Rebel Ridge has just been lifted ahead of its streaming premiere on September 6. As of now, the movie boasts an impressive 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film centers on ex-Marine Terry Richmond, played by Aaron Pierre, who ventures to the town of Shelby Springs to bail out his cousin and protect him. However, Terry’s mission takes a drastic turn when his life savings are unjustly seized by law enforcement. This forces him to confront police chief Sandy Burnne, portrayed by Don Johnson, and his trigger-happy officers. The movie presents a gripping dynamic of an ordinary man against everyone, delivering straightforward, high-octane action.

In a promotional interview with Netflix, Saulnier shared his inspiration for the movie: “I was introduced to the concept of Civil Asset Forfeiture a number of years ago. It’s this insane loophole in anti-drug regulation that allows law enforcement to seize property from ordinary citizens without any proof of criminal activity. I thought it’d make a great premise for a movie because of how unifying it is — it pisses everyone off.”

However, the movie is not just about this controversial issue. Saulnier added, “I’m an audience member first, and I miss those grounded ’80s and ’90s action films that not only deliver on spectacle but succeed in tying on-screen mayhem to a real and true emotional component. Smaller scale, bigger impact. Less veneer, less artificiality, and way more heart.”

In Rebel Ridge, Pierre shines with a performance that’s both cool and reminiscent of iconic action heroes like Rambo. This appears to be a well-earned breakout role for the actor. The action sequences are intense and engaging, ensuring that viewers remain hooked from start to finish. I genuinely urge everyone to watch it, so Netflix understands the demand for more quality movies like this.

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