‘Rebel Ridge’ Movie Review—A Thriller That Goes Beyond the Usual Action Tropes

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‘Rebel Ridge’ is a gritty fight for justice, not just revenge

"Rebel Ridge" is a smart action movie, but if you’re not into gentle action-ing then it might not be for you. The non-lethal action scenes could turn some hardcore action fans off.

*Spoiler Alert

"Rebel Ridge" is not your typical ex-military-out-for-vengeance movie, and that's where its similarities with Rambo: First Blood end. Sure, both films revolve around a wronged soldier facing off against corrupt law enforcement, but Rebel Ridge—with a well-thought-out plot—by writer-director Jeremy Saulnier steers in a whole new direction.

Released by Netflix on September 6, 2024, this crime action thriller tells a story that’s as much about small-town corruption as it is about justice, and of course the fight scenes. Aaron Pierre stars as Terry Richmond, a Black former Marine who doesn’t just want revenge—he wants justice.

Rebel Ridge opens with Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine, rolling into the town of Shelby Springs. He’s there with one simple goal: to bail out his cousin, Mike Simmons, who’s been unfairly detained by the local cops in what’s clearly a sketchy civil forfeiture scheme. But things get ugly fast. Two crooked officers, Evan Marston and Steve Lann, ram into Terry, seize his $36,000, and lock him up. That money? Totally legit. It was for the bail, but in this town, it doesn’t matter. The police are running the show, and they don’t play by the rules.

Terry’s initial plan is to work within the system, but the system is stacked against him. The courthouse clerk, Elliot, refuses to help, and Terry’s left chasing after any scrap of assistance. A kind-hearted employee, Summer McBride (played by AnnaSophia Robb), offers a glimmer of hope, but time is running out. Mike is set to be transferred to a state prison, and given that he informed on a gangster, it’s a death sentence waiting to happen.

What makes Rebel Ridge stand out from other action thrillers is that Terry is a man with a measured restraint and a moral compass that usually points north. At first, he’s not kicking down doors or blowing stuff up. He’s trying to do the right thing. He offers a deal to the police chief, Sandy Burnne (played by Don Johnson): give him back $10,000 of his seized cash so he can bail out Mike, and he’ll walk away. But of course, things don’t go that smoothly. When Terry’s finally told to come back on Monday, it’s too late. The bus taking Mike to state prison has already left.

Not just another Rambo

At this point, you might be thinking, "Okay, an ex-military guy takes on corrupt cops... isn’t that just Rambo all over again?" Not quite. Where First Blood spirals into a full-on survival war in the woods, Rebel Ridge keeps things grounded—well, at least for a while. There’s social commentary woven into the film, particularly about civil forfeiture laws, small-town corruption, and the institutional abuse of power. Although it’s a one-man-war kind of movie, it’s also a slow, burning indictment of how easily a system can be twisted against regular people.

But, don’t worry, the action’s there, too. Terry might be a calm, calculated guy, but when he’s pushed to the brink, the Marine in him snaps into gear. He’s an expert in close-quarters combat, and let’s just say, some of the fight scenes get pretty brutal. When Terry returns to the police station and takes down Lann and Burnne, you feel the intensity and weight of every punch. These aren’t flashy, over-the-top superhero fights—they’re realistic and cathartic. Terry’s fighting to survive and, more importantly, for justice.

A different kind of vengeance

One of the coolest parts about Rebel Ridge is that it isn’t about mindless revenge. Sure, Terry could’ve walked away when Burnne offered him $26,000 and the truck he was planning to buy, but that’s not enough. When Terry learns Mike was stabbed in prison, it stops being about the money. It’s not even about revenge at that point—it’s about exposing the corruption, clearing Mike’s name, and making sure the people responsible face the consequences.

The film takes a turn when Terry teams up with Summer, and they uncover a deeper conspiracy. The local police have been detaining people for 90 days on misdemeanor charges, blocking them from accessing public defenders and ensuring they never get to see the dashcam footage of their arrests. It’s all part of a cover-up to avoid transparency measures that were supposed to clean up the department after a legal settlement. This isn’t some isolated case of a bad cop or two—it's a systemic problem.

Tense from start to finish

Jeremy Saulnier, who wrote, produced, directed, and edited the film, builds up this tension slowly. You know things are going to explode at some point, but you don’t know exactly when or how.

Take the scene where Terry escapes from the police station after securing the bail money. It’s not some high-speed car chase with tons of explosions. Instead, it’s a calculated escape. The movie doesn’t rush through its big moments—it lets them simmer.

The final showdown at Rebel Ridge is a perfect example. Terry and Lann agree to swap Summer for the dashcam footage, but of course, it all goes sideways. Instead of an all-out brawl, it’s a cat-and-mouse game with Terry using his wits as much as his fists. Rebel Ridge is a well thought out movie. However, the non-lethal force used in the action scenes could turn some hardcore action fans off. So, if you’re not a fan of gentle action-ing, then Rebel Ridge may not be up your ally.

When Terry activates the police cruiser’s siren to save the last few minutes of dashcam footage, it’s a brilliant twist that feels both earned and satisfying.

Aaron Pierre brings a quiet intensity to the role, making Terry feel real and grounded, even when the action gets heavy. His chemistry with Anna Sophia Robb as Summer is another highlight. Summer’s got her own moral compass, and the two of them make a great team. Don Johnson, as the slimy police chief, nails the role, bringing just the right amount of sleaze and menace.

Rebel Ridge isn’t your average action thriller, and that’s a good thing. It’s smart and delivers a strong story that’s as much about the broken system as it is about a man’s fight for justice. Rebel Ridge is not a Rambo clone and definitely worth a watch. If you’re looking for a movie that doesn’t rely on over-the-top stunts and explosions, then give the movie a watch.

Rebel Ridge is streaming on Netflix