Rebel Ridge Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Man just wants to bail out his cousin, but a corrupt small town decides his money is better spent on margarita machines and renting out their non-lethal armory to other police departments.

🍿 Rebel Ridge: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Marine’s Mission Interrupted

Terry Richmond, a former Marine, arrives in Shelby Springs, Louisiana, intending to bail out his cousin, Mike, and purchase a truck. His plans are derailed when corrupt police officers seize his $36,000 through civil asset forfeiture, claiming it’s drug money despite Terry’s proof of its legitimate source. Terry is now in a race against time to get his cousin released from jail.

Uncovering Corruption

As Terry tries to recover his money and free his cousin, he encounters Summer McBride, a courthouse employee. Summer reveals that the civil forfeiture is a scheme used by the police chief to fund the department. She tells Terry that many people are being held for misdemeanors in jail for long periods, which is unusual as the town is broke.

Escalating Conflict

Frustrated by the police chief’s refusal to return his money, Terry uses his combat skills to retrieve the bail money from the police station. After bailing out Mike, Terry is arrested and learns that Mike has been stabbed in prison. He accepts a deal to leave town, but realizes he can’t abandon Summer, who has become a target of the corrupt police.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre): A former Marine and close-quarters combat expert who fights against small-town corruption to help his cousin and expose injustice.
• Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson): The corrupt police chief who uses civil asset forfeiture to enrich himself and his department.
• Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb): A courthouse employee and struggling mother who aids Terry in his fight against corruption.
• Officer Evan Marston (David Denman): A conflicted police officer who ultimately becomes an ally to Terry, providing crucial information and assistance.
• Officer Steve Lann (Emory Cohen): A corrupt and violent police officer who is loyal to Chief Burnne and actively participates in the town’s illegal activities.
• Liu (Dana Lee): Terry’s former business partner and restaurant owner, who provides support and medical assistance to Terry and Summer.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Terry Richmond: “People getting hurt now either way. The fire last night…Yeah, it’s gotten out of hand. Real soup sandwich.” – Terry acknowledges the escalating violence and uses a military term (‘soup sandwich’) to describe the chaotic situation.
• Chief Sandy Burnne: “We can agree on that.” – Chief Burnne responds, acknowledging the situation is out of hand, showing a rare moment of agreement before the conflict escalates further.
• Terry Richmond: “Got me thinking about the conversation we had in the cruiser, about de-escalation? That also takes both sides, you know?” – Terry attempts to reason with the corrupt chief by appealing to de-escalation tactics, emphasizing mutual responsibility.
• Terry Richmond: “So I was thinking, what if we just walk away?” – Terry proposes a peaceful resolution, suggesting they both disengage to avoid further bloodshed.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,900,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Rebel Ridge Reviews

Personal Review

I was really impressed by Rebel Ridge. Aaron Pierre is fantastic, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. I loved how it wasn’t just mindless action, but it also had something to say about injustice. The scene where Terry confronts the police chief in the station was intense! I felt the frustration and the tension building up. Definitely a movie I’ll recommend to my friends.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about corruption and justice”
  • “Those who enjoy films with strong lead performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of police corruption”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Rebel Ridge is a lean, mean thriller that doesn’t waste a second of its runtime. Aaron Pierre delivers a commanding performance, and Jeremy Saulnier’s direction is as sharp as ever, creating a suspenseful and thought-provoking experience.
• Screen Rant: “Rebel Ridge offers a compelling look at small-town corruption with strong performances from Pierre and Johnson. While the plot occasionally meanders, the intense action and social commentary make it a worthwhile watch.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge builds considerable tension with its portrayal of a town and a few bad cops gone rogue, even if the plot and characterizations don’t always hold up to scrutiny, Aaron Pierre gives a compelling performance that keeps the viewer interested.

Audience Reactions

Aaron Pierre’s commanding performance makes him a star to watch.: Viewers loved the movie’s blend of action and social commentary, praising its intensity and suspense.

Don Johnson’s portrayal of the corrupt police chief is believably vile.: Many viewers found the ending underwhelming, feeling it lacked the impact the film needed to deliver true satisfaction.

Overall Consensus: Rebel Ridge is a gripping thriller with strong performances and a compelling story, though some find the ending anticlimactic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Boyega was originally cast in the lead role but left the project midway through filming in 2021. This led to a production shutdown, the recasting of Aaron Pierre, and reshoots of all Boyega’s scenes.”
• “The film explores the theme of civil asset forfeiture, a controversial practice where law enforcement can seize assets suspected of being involved in criminal activity, even without a criminal charge.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rebel Ridge?

Rebel Ridge is currently a Netflix exclusive. To watch, you’ll need a Netflix subscription. The film is not currently available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV, so streaming on Netflix is your only option for now.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rebel Ridge, you might like these similar films:

• First Blood (1982): A lone veteran fighting against corrupt law enforcement in a small town, highlighting similar themes of injustice and survival.
• Walking Tall (2004): A former soldier returns to his hometown to fight against corruption and injustice using his skills and determination.
• Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017): Features a protagonist pushed to extremes by a corrupt system, leading to intense and brutal confrontations.
• Jack Reacher (2012): An ex-military investigator uncovers a conspiracy and fights against powerful enemies, showcasing similar action and suspense.

🛒 Rebel Ridge Related Products

• Rebel Ridge Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for fans to show their love for Rebel Ridge.
• Rebel Ridge T-Shirt: Show your support for the movie with this exclusive Rebel Ridge t-shirt. Features a unique design inspired by the film’s themes of justice and resilience.
• Civil Asset Forfeiture: Policing for Profit: A non-fiction investigative book. For a deeper dive into the complicated realities of civil asset forfeiture – a central theme in Rebel Ridge – this book explores the history, legality, and impact of laws that allow law enforcement to seize property suspected of involvement in crime.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rebel Ridge features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Number of the Beast” – performed by Iron Maiden

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Terry VS Chief Burnne and Cops – Rebel Ridge Final Fight

Want to see the epic final fight from Rebel Ridge? This clip is pure adrenaline as Terry takes on everyone. Honestly, it’s one of the best action scenes I’ve seen in a while!

Yes or Nahhh with Aaron Pierre | Rebel Ridge | Netflix

Ever wondered what Aaron Pierre is like off-screen? This fun “Yes or Nahhh” interview gives you a peek into his personality and thoughts on Rebel Ridge. Trust me, you’ll love his ‘nahhhh’!

Rebel Ridge’s Aaron Pierre Shows His Upper Body Workout To Get JACKED | Train Like | Men’s Health

Curious how Aaron Pierre got so ripped for Rebel Ridge? This Men’s Health video shows his intense workout routine. It’s seriously impressive and might just inspire you to hit the gym!

REBEL RIDGE Netflix Ending Explained & Review

Confused about the ending of Rebel Ridge? This video breaks it all down and offers some insightful theories. I found it really helpful in understanding the movie’s deeper meanings and predicting a sequel!

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