Rebel Ridge (2024)

Release Date: October 12, 2024
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Starring: Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb, Emory Cohen, Don Johnson

So, there I was, lounging on a lazy Friday night, scrolling through Netflix, hoping to stumble across something that wouldn’t make me regret my life choices. And then it happened: Rebel Ridge. The description was fire—a former Marine with a thirst for revenge? Yes, please! I was ready for Aaron Pierre to deliver an intense, seat-gripping thriller.

What I got? Well, let’s just say it started with promise, but by the time the credits rolled, I was ready to ask Netflix for my two hours back. So, if you’re curious about whether to give this a go, grab a drink, because we’ve got a lot to unpack here.

First 30 Minutes: HELL YES

The movie starts off like a kick to the teeth, in the best way possible. Aaron Pierre, who plays Ethan (our revenge-driven ex-Marine), is an absolute beast from the get-go. This man is brooding, intense, and looks like he’s about to wreck everything in his path. And for the first half hour, it’s chef’s kiss. Seriously, I was all in. The action is fast-paced, the tension is thick, and it really seems like Ethan is about to single-handedly tear apart a corrupt system. Pierre gives the kind of performance that makes you sit up and think, "Okay, this guy is one to watch."

You know that feeling when you start a movie, and you’re like, "Oh yeah, this is gonna be good"? That was me. Everything felt set up for an epic ride—great lead, gritty premise, and Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room, Blue Ruin) behind the camera. But then… well, we’ll get to that.

Mid-Movie: What Happened Here?

Now, about halfway through, something bizarre happens. It’s like the plot took a nap. The pacing slows to a crawl, and instead of the gripping action-thriller I was promised, Rebel Ridge starts feeling like a midseason filler episode of a TV show.

First of all, the relationship between Ethan and Sadie (AnnaSophia Robb) is just plain weird. They go from complete strangers to ride-or-die BFFs faster than you can say, "Wait, what?" There’s no real chemistry, no development—it’s like they forgot to write the part where they actually get to know each other. One minute they’re awkwardly surviving together, and the next, they’re acting like long-lost siblings. It’s the kind of thing that makes you question whether there’s a deleted scene somewhere that explains how they bonded over mutual trauma or something. Spoiler: there isn’t.

As much as I liked Aaron Pierre’s performance, there’s only so much one actor can do with a script that starts falling apart at the seams. The plot gets convoluted and just straight-up boring. One minute Ethan’s out for revenge, and the next, I’m wondering why we’re getting side characters I could care less about.

The Action: Where Did It Go?

By now, I should’ve been on the edge of my seat. I mean, this is a revenge thriller, right? But nope. The action scenes get fewer and far between, and when they do show up, they’re… okay? Not great, not terrible, just okay. What happened to the intensity? Where’s the grit? It’s like the movie ran out of steam halfway through and decided to settle for mediocrity.

And the ending? Oh, don’t get me started. It’s like the movie just gave up. We’re building up to what should’ve been an epic showdown, and instead, we get... nothing. No big payoff, no satisfying conclusion. Just a shrug of a finale. I was honestly hoping Ethan would go full John Wick and tear through the system that wronged him, but instead, we got a lukewarm resolution that left me more confused than anything. Was it supposed to be deep? Was there a message I missed? Whatever it was, it didn’t land.

The Real Villain? The Script

I think my biggest gripe with Rebel Ridge is the wasted potential. This movie had all the ingredients to be great, but somewhere along the line, they mixed them all up in the wrong order. The pacing is off, the character development is non-existent, and the action that started strong just fizzles out. It’s like they spent all their energy on the first 30 minutes and coasted the rest of the way.

Pierre, though, deserves a shout-out. Despite the jumbled mess around him, he delivers a solid performance. I’ll be keeping an eye on him because he’s got that leading man quality. I mean, he kept me watching even when the plot made me want to check out.

And let’s not forget that "besties" storyline between Ethan and Sadie. I don’t know about you, but the way they went from total strangers to practically family in 0.2 seconds felt more forced than a group project where only one person does the work. Like, seriously, how did they bond that fast? I didn’t buy it, and you won’t either.

The Verdict: What Could’ve Been

Rebel Ridge had all the potential to be a gritty, intense, thought-provoking revenge thriller. It could’ve been the next Green Room or Blue Ruin. Instead, it ended up being a frustrating, slow-burn slog that fizzled out long before the credits rolled.

Is it unwatchable? No, but it’s one of those movies where you’ll find yourself scrolling through your phone during the second half because the pacing just goes off the rails. If you’re a fan of Aaron Pierre (or looking for a solid new actor to follow), he’s definitely the best part of the film. But as for the rest? Meh.

I wanted to love it, but in the end, Rebel Ridge feels like a movie that shot for the stars and barely made it out of the driveway. If you’ve got nothing else to do, give it a watch. Just don’t expect to be blown away.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/10)