‘Rebel Ridge' #1 on Netflix for Second Week in A Row

It’s great to see Jeremy Saulnier having some commercial success. His “Rebel Ridge” has been #1 on the Netflix charts for two weeks now. It’s a “hit,” having amassed 38.6M views in its second week of release.

The film stars breakout Aaron Pierre, who gives a star-making performance as a former ex-Marine who navigates his way through a web of small-town corruption. It’s one of the rare Netflix action originals that’s actually a good film. The reviews have also been strong.

Saulnier loves to play around with sound, and his usage of it here is again second to none. The film might also be the breakout role that Pierre needed in his career. Pierre is the film’s secret weapon, oozing chilled out and lethal vibes, and filled with indelible charisma in every frame.

Above all, this has turned into a redemptive success for Saulnier. “Rebel Ridge” has had a tumultuous 4-year journey. This is the same film that had, original lead actor, John Boyega abruptly walking out of the set in 2021, under controversial circumstances. Boyega is clearly not missed here. Pierre turns out to have been an upgrade.

Saulnier can finally leave “Rebel Ridge” behind, forget about all the drama that’s happened these last four years, and focus on his next film. In fact, Saulnier recently mentioned that he’s already started work on his next project.

I’m currently writing something that’s a little more in the “Green Room” universe. Because with “Rebel Ridge,” I was exploring a new side. I was just tired of everything I do being oppressive. But I’ve kinda gone back. It has to do with music and Halloween and fun shit.

With all that he’s been through making “Rebel Ridge”, and the streaming success it has received, Saulnier deserves carte blanche from Netflix for his next film. It’s the least they could do after what he’s been through. A better case scenario? Saulnier teams up again with A24 and actually gets this next film released in theaters.

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August 19, 2019

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Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

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Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

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Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

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