Rebel Ridge (2024) || A Flop
Don’t tell me all those top film sites and rating platforms watched the same Rebel Ridge I watched. Because the way they rated this thing high, I’m convinced it’s because their sweetheart Aaron Pierre was in it. Like, be honest with me, was it the plot you loved or the bone structure? Because I thought this was going to eat, only for it to nibble at crumbs.
No Spoilers
The film starts strong enough, with Terry (Aaron Pierre) driving into a small, corrupt as hell town, only to get robbed of his bail money by the police. The man literally came to help his cousin, and now he’s the one needing help. Cool premise, right? Feels like it should turn into a one man versus the whole dirty system type of heat. But somewhere along the way, the movie starts drifting. And what pains me is that it’s not a good Tokyo Drift.
There’s Terry trying to get justice? Yes. Terry somehow floating around town with Summer, the court intern girl? Confusing. Terry needing that money back? At least 10k of it? Absolutely. Terry choosing not to unleash even one satisfying punch when it mattered? Painful as hell.
I’m sorry but when the story handed him multiple prime moments to throw hands, spark explosions, or at least give us one cinematic “I’ve had enough” scene, he didn’t. Well at least not to my ultimate satisfaction. Not even a little hole-through-the-skin type justice. Like dude, these cops robbed you, bullied you, threatened you, and you’re giving me some emotional restraint? Come on, that wasn’t what I ordered.
And Summer McBride. Oh Summer. What exactly was their dynamic supposed to be? Ally? New friend? Random girl who couldn’t mind her business or just wanted to help? I still have no clue what direction the film wanted to take with her because every time they appeared together, I rolled my eyes.
The film tries to juggle injustice, systemic corruption, survival, emotional tension, and character study but ends up dropping half the balls and walking offstage like it did something profound.
Now, the big payoff at the end is a flop to me. I wanted chaos, good chaos that would’ve left me smiling. I wanted the corrupt police station to regret ever breathing in Terry Richmond’s direction. Instead, the finale left me blinking at the screen like, that’s it? That’s the big finish?
Visually, it’s fine. Aaron Pierre, acts with his entire chest. The tension tries to simmer. But the narrative wanders into vibes instead of impact, and honestly I don’t watch revenge thrillers for vibes.
Rating: 5/10. Oh trust me those five points belong entirely to Aaron Pierre’s face, presence, and the potential this plot could have had.
I don’t know if I recommend but you can check it out if you please.
I feel like I should watch this now because I know that I am going to feel the same way based just on what you have written above. Sometimes that "so bad it's good" aspect of films can be the entertainment in itself.
I get what you mean though. Some movies are entertaining because they’re a mess. If you end up watching it, I’d love to hear what you think.
There's a movie out there called "Dolemite" that is just legendary for being really bad, so bad it's good. It was such a funny sort of film that more than 40 years later they made a film about the making of the film and Eddie Murphy starred in it. That film was really good as well but because it was good. There is also another legendary film that you are more likely to have hear of called "The Room." that film also ended up having a film made about it. All 4 of these films are worth checking out for different reasons.
Haha, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a cinematic disaster that became a legend, at least not until now that you’ve mentioned these ones. I’ve seen The Room, but only the 2019 version, so I’m not sure if that’s the one you meant. I also looked up Dolemite, and even though it’s an old film, I might still check it out. Thanks for the recommendations!
The version of The Room that you saw was probably The Disaster Artist and that was an amazing film, it is much better than the film it is making fun of. The original film is the king of "so bad it's good" in film making though. There are certain things you probably wouldn't get if you didn't see the biopic though, so if that is what you watched I am glad you got to see that.