What makes Rebel Ridge all the more interesting is that it quickly deviates from the banal trajectory of the action film, which would have it, according to the immemorial laws of Hollywood, that revenge includes the destruction of all figures and buildings of opposition. That everything is done in a festival of pyrotechnics, that after the deceived hero passes, only a deluge of flames and burnt flesh remains. The choice of Aaron Pierre in the main role, a monster of charisma and intensity who only needs a look to set a scene ablaze, is without a doubt the most beautiful surprise of Rebel Ridge.
AnnaSophia Robb and Aaron Pierre on the set of Rebel Ridge.© Allyson Riggs/Netflix
The actor, seen in Old by M. Night Shyamalan and replacing John Boyega after the latter abandoned the project, imposes a physical and moral rectitude on his character. Like John Macreedy in A man passed by by John Sturges (a formidable western that remains as relevant in its perplexity as ever, 70 years after its release), Teddy Richmond will only use violence once he is pushed to his limits, faced with the impossibility of not responding to the crass ignorance of his opponents.
This imperative forces the film itself to work its action sequences differently than in terms of projections of hemoglobin or anonymous enemies to eliminate. Thus, even the supporting roles take on their importance and add depth to the conflict, like the awful officer Steve Lann (played by Emory Cohen, whom we loved a few years ago alongside Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn) or Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), a clerk who herself struggles with her past and will support Terry in his impossible task.
His story arc is not what Rebel Ridge has more exciting or unique to offer. However, it has the merit of injecting a little more anger into this infinitely bitter film where all the characters seem to be constantly battling with the target on their backs, always tempted to cross the line before being called to order by their mission or their status. The last act, remarkably staged, blows up all the barriers and organizes a definitive shift towards a high-octane action film. Few feature films of this caliber have demonstrated such skill in the rhythm and control of tension this year, with the possible exception of the delightful City of Darkness by Soi Cheang, released in theaters this summer.
For obscure reasons, Rebel Ridge is quietly being released on Netflix this fall. This is all the more surprising since Jeremy Saulnier’s film is the best the streaming platform has to offer its subscribers in terms of thrillers. For the good of Hollywood action cinema, not necessarily in a state of grace after the unexpected flop of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga by George Miller in the spring, we hope that it will find its audience and make them want to see films as mastered and breathtaking again.
Rebel Ridge is available to discover from this Friday, September 6 on Netflix.
