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Review: Star-making performance propels Netflix revenge thriller ‘Rebel Ridge’

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Review: Star-making performance propels Netflix revenge thriller 'Rebel Ridge'

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricacies of cinema, I must say that Jeremy Saulnier’s “Rebel Ridge” is a masterpiece that showcases his exceptional talent for crafting taut action thrillers. The film is not just a visual spectacle, but a profound examination of space, pace, and the human psyche, all skillfully interwoven to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

In Jeremy Saulnier’s movie “Rebel Ridge,” we see a gritty, Rambo-esque exploration of racial profiling and the subtle, disturbing darkness embedded within U.S. law enforcement. Throughout the film, Saulnier showcases his exceptional talent for creating tense action thrillers, a skill he has been demonstrating since his 2013 release “Blue Ruin.” This expertise is further evident in “Green Room” (2016) and “Hold the Dark” (2018). However, in “Rebel Ridge,” Saulnier’s exploration of setting and pacing surpasses anything he has done previously. He skillfully switches between meticulous control and intense bursts of action over the course of more than two hours.

In the distinctive rhythm of the filmmaking, Saulnier’s methodology becomes clear: his sophisticated cinematic approach mirrors the mental state of his characters. The narrative and aesthetic style of “Rebel Ridge,” a project penned, directed, and edited by Saulnier, revolves around Terry (played by Aaron Pierre), a man trapped in a suffocating daily nightmare that escalates beyond control. As he reaches his breaking point, Terry manages to keep his composure until he can’t anymore, and it’s captivating to observe how Saulnier allows this character to break free.

In an impressive display of acting, Pierre delivers a stellar performance as a man hiding unique talents beneath a calm, serene exterior. His eyes sparkle like gold, his voice flows smoothly, and he moves gracefully, much like a panther moving across the screen. However, his character carries more of the temperament of a rattlesnake – calm and poised yet ready to react dangerously when provoked.

In the storyline of “Rebel Ridge,” the central theme revolves around the police procedure known as civil asset forfeiture. The narrative begins with the main character, Terry, pedaling through the quaint Southern town of Shelby Springs. A careless police officer (David Denham) tries to pull Terry over, accidentally hitting him with his patrol car in the process. Subsequently, Terry is arrested and his cash-filled backpack is confiscated, under the suspicion that it contains illicit drug money.

As a movie critic, I found myself empathizing with Terry’s predicament in the gripping drama we recently screened. He was holding onto the hard-earned cash to save his cousin Mike, a key witness in a murder trial, from being transferred to a state penitentiary, where his life would be at risk. Unfortunately, Terry’s funds mysteriously vanished into a secure storage unit, only to be retrievable after a court hearing, which was months away.

Terry’s stubbornness in denying the police department’s theft of his money (which also put his family at risk) has stirred up a hornet’s nest, agitating a group of old-fashioned cops, including Emory Cohen, who report to Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). However, these officers are unaware that Terry is not someone to trifle with. They find out too late that he’s not just an ex-Marine; he’s a Marine martial arts instructor.

A lot of talk of police procedure leads to the action of “Rebel Ridge,” though Saulnier seeds bursts of violence throughout as Terry seizes control. Long, gliding tracking shots with sophisticated camera and character blocking give way to hectic handheld movements as Terry scraps and tussles with his foes. Saulnier uses the edit to evoke Terry’s increasing vigilance, constantly keeping tabs on everyone in his vicinity as he realizes just how deep the corruption goes in this town.

The central focus of Saulnier’s film is a thorough exploration of everyday legal complexities, as well as the crafty use of policy by the police to their advantage. Terry is unwittingly drawn into a nightmarish journey through a labyrinth of bureaucracy, paperwork, and a justice system that heavily relies on the subjective judgments of small-town law enforcement officers and judges. These individuals are driven by their own interests and biases, often making decisions that prioritize budgets over human lives – lives that belong to people of color, women, and addicts alike.

In the intricate web of alliances constantly changing, an exceptionally talented individual has the power to expose vulnerabilities and upset the hierarchy. However, a feeling of helplessness pervades the story, suggesting that such events will recur incessantly. Each new lawsuit brings another tragedy, each new incident demands a workaround. Yet for a brief moment, one man on a bike armed with finely honed weapons can bring chaos to corrupt officers, and oh, it’s exhilarating to observe the spectacle.

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2024-09-07 14:09

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