Netflix’s action film “Rebel Ridge” centers on former Marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), who must confront corruption in a small town when the police unjustly confiscate the money he legally collected to pay his cousin’s bail. Following the release of the film directed and written by Jeremy Saulnier on September 6, 2024, users of the streaming platform are wondering if this production is based on a true story.
Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Zsane Jhe, Dana Lee and James Cromwell make up the main cast of the feature film that was filmed in Louisiana from May 3, 2021 to July 24, 2024 with a long break due to the departure of John Boyega.
“Rebel Ridge”, which runs for 131 minutes, is an action thriller that explores corruption and morality. “I am very interested in examining corrupt systems: how they are constructed and what people tell themselves to deny or justify their participation in them,” The director told Tudum.
Don Johnson as Sandy Burnne and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in the action movie “Rebel Ridge” (Photo: Netflix)
“REBEL RIDGE” – IS IT BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
The short answer is no. While “Rebel Ridge” is not based on a true story, the efforts to overcome the limits of bureaucracy are familiar to many. “This movie is not based on a particular incident, but elements of it could certainly happen,” Saulnier said.
“For this film, I wanted to explore how the rest of us react to such systems, how infuriating they can be, from corrupt politicians to the endless cycle of a customer service call gone wrong,” added the director of the action thriller.
Saulnier said preparation for “Rebel Ridge” began with intense research. “As with all my projects, I start with a keen interest in a topic and then do some serious research on it,” he shared. “Once I have a firm grasp of the material, I start writing. If I hit a roadblock in the process, I do some more research.”
That’s why he included a legal remedy that actually exists, civil asset forfeiture. In fact, it’s what the cops use to take Terry’s money. “It’s this absurd loophole in drug regulation that allows law enforcement to seize assets from ordinary citizens without any evidence of criminal activity,” Saulnier explained. “I thought it would be a great premise for a movie because of how unifying it is: it pisses everyone off.”
Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Zsane Jhe, Dana Lee and James Cromwell are part of the cast of the film “Rebel Ridge” (Photo: Netflix)
HOW TO WATCH “REBEL RIDGE”?
“Rebel Ridge” is available on Netflix from September 6, 2024therefore, to watch the new action thriller you only need a subscription to the popular streaming platform.
