Surprise! The review embargo has lifted on Jeremy Saulnier’s “Rebel Ridge,” and it’s currently at 77 on Metacritic. Wonderful news for a film that absolutely deserves positive ink.
The much-delayed “Rebel Ridge” is actually really good. A tension packed riff on “First Blood” that Saulnier directs the hell out of. The guy is a major directing talent, and the fact that “Rebel Ridge” won’t be released theatrically is a damn-near shame.
Hard to believe, but we’re two days away from “Rebel Ridge” hitting Netflix. It’s a return to form for Saulnier after taking a slight step back with 2018’s “Hold the Dark,” which had atmosphere to spare, but also included these implausible and silly moments that failed to make it one of Saulnier’s better films.
Saulnier’s filmography includes 2014’s “Blue Ruin” and 2016’s “Green Room” — both strong films and detailed with the kind of visceral violence that made you feel every gunshot, every stabbing and every punch. That is exactly how you feel watching “Rebel Ridge,” which I, sadly, didn’t watch theatrically. Netflix sent me a screener instead.
Saulnier loves to play around sound, and his usage of it is again second to none in “Rebel Ridge.” The film might also be the breakout role that Aaron Pierre needed in his career. Pierre is the film’s secret weapon, oozing chilled out and lethal vibes, and indelibly filled with charisma in every frame. He plays an ex-marine who takes on a group of dirty cops.
Also, kudos to the film’s cinematographer, David Gallego, who has delivered some truly breathless action set-pieces. Many filmmakers have tried to make this kind of film, but Saulnier gives them all a lesson in how it should be done, with uber precise camera work, tight editing and meticulous framing and blocking.
“Rebel Ridge,” Saulnier’s first film in over five years, has had a tumultuous journey. This is the infamous film that had, original lead actor, John Boyega abruptly walking out of the set in 2021, under controversial circumstances. Boyega was soon replaced with Aaron Pierre, and filming resumed in early 2022. The cast is now composed of Pierre, Don Johnson, James Badge Dale, James Cromwell, Anna Sophia Robb and Emory Cohen. They’re all great here.
Saulnier recently spoke, for the first time, about the chaotic experience of shooting “Rebel Ridge”. Speaking to Film Stories, Saulnier described the making of “Rebel Ridge” as “tumultuous.”
“We came back three years in a row to make that movie,” he told the outlet.
Filming on “Rebel Ridge” wrapped in July 2022, with Saulnier announcing the completion of the film on Twitter/X; “Third time was indeed the charm,” he wrote at the time. Saulnier says the budget of the film ballooned from the originally reported $25 million to around $40 million. It’s become the biggest undertaking of his career, and he’s delivered big time.