Saulnier has crafted a tight and tense thriller which gets right down to business and tells a chilling battle of wits between two men that holds tight right til the end with only small moments of pause throughout. Rebel Ridge is a gripping watch featuring two actors who create a tense tete a tete. Perhaps it pushes some realism boundaries at times but that's part of the fun and Saulnier's smart script makes it work and pays off for a thriller that feels more than just filler.
Pierre, so good in last year's Brother, has a great career in front of him and Johnson is a veteran performer who does a great job playing complicated villains. Both are wonderful playing off against each other in this mano a mano. Yeah there is some great physical confrontations but it's the psychological stand off which is the most fascinating. Saulnier's script is tight and creatively deals with the kinds of plot holes a story like this necessitates. All of this comes together for a fun movie that also has some weight to it.
Once can't deny there are bigger issues here than just a thriller. The film comments on the abuse of power inherent in hierarchal systems and explores the racial elements in subtle yet effective ways, not igoring the real world complications which a story like this involves. The tale isn't simple and that's a big source of the appeal. Saulnier packs a lot into this story which becomes quite multifaceted a it plays out while remaining somewhat delightfully pulpy. Rebel Ridge is a satisfying and accessible film that doesn't pander to the audience or talk down to them which is a nice combination in these times. For me Rebel Ridge walked a fine line and delivered so I'd recommend a watch.
Rebel Ridge
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, James Cromwell
Writer/Director: Jeremy Saulnier
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