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The new A24 horror movie has turned out a debut that has hit a devastating record low. A24 is an independent production company and distributor that was founded in 2012 and has been behind some of the most idiosyncratic and notable releases of the past decade. In addition to titles such as the 2019 thriller Uncut Gems and the 2023 wrestling biopic The Iron Claw, A24 has released eight Best Picture nominees including two winners, namely the 2022 sci-fi action multiverse movie Everything Everywhere All At Once and the 2016 LGBTQ+ drama Moonlight.

Although they produce projects in a variety of different genres, A24 horror movies have become a pillar of the brand. They began to cement their reputation for artistic horror releases in 2015, when they put out Robert Eggers' The Witch, Jeremy Saulnier's Green Room, and Osgood Perkins' The Blackcoat's Daughter, after which point they began putting out horror titles more regularly. At the time of writing,...

I believe it takes a well-developed sense of humor to be a horror fan. After all, none of us would be able to sleep if we actually thought that Freddy Krueger could show up in our dreams at night – and yet we always play along when the time comes to enjoy spooky stories about supernatural killers and mutated monsters.

That’s why the rise of horror comedies was all but inevitable, as most horror hounds were already willing to laugh alongside their favorite filmmakers instead of at them. That being said, some of these humorous scares are more popular than others, and today we’d like to shine a light on six criminally underseen horror-comedies that deserve a second chance at success!

As usual, this list is based on personal opinion, but don’t forget to comment below with your own underrated favorites if you think we missed a particularly...

Ryan Coogler is one of the biggest and most respected filmmakers working today. From his breakthrough drama "Fruitvale Station" to making one of the biggest blockbusters of all time with Marvel's "Black Panther," the man truly doesn't miss. One common thread in his success has been Michael B. Jordan, who has collaborated with Coogler as a core star in front of the camera from the very beginning. This year, the two of them have reunited for "Sinners," an original, big-budget vampire flick being released by Warner Bros. Mainstream though the movie may be, Coogler decided to go big on the gore.

The film centers on twin brothers (Jordan) who are trying to leave their troubled lives behind and return to their hometown, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting for them. During a recent press event attended by /Film, and tied to the release of the new trailer for "Sinners,...

The Writers Guild of America announced the nominations for their annual awards last week and Netflix films and television shows were well-represented. The WGA, both East and West Coast chapters, are comprised of working writers across the spectrum of filmed scripted genres. It has been around for almost 100 years and has been handing out awards for excellence since 1948.

Amongst writers, it is considered the highest of honors.

Here are the Netflix programs that have been nominated for awards for the past year. Many are likely among your favorites.

Netflix gets eight Writer's Guild of America nominationsAdapted Screenplay – Richard Linklater and Glen Powell for Hit Man

Linklater has been one of the most important independent filmmakers in the USA since writing and directing Slacker in 1990. His other credits include Dazed and Confused, the Before Sunrise trilogy, and Boyhood. His screenplays for Before Sunset, Before Midnight, and Boyhood were each previously nominated...

Last Updated on January 6, 2025

Well, Schmoes, as 2024 finally draws to a close, we reflect on a year full of ups and downs, box office shocks and surprises, and many unexpected hits and misses. If there is one thing for sure, there are always movies highly overrated and underrated by critics and fans alike. As the UnPopular Opinion Guy, I felt it was only fitting to issue my list of the movies I felt the masses got wrong. Some of these may shock you, and some may piss you off, but these are my honest-to-goodness perspective on the movies of 2024. If you disagree with any of the choices, please voice your opinion in the comments below. After all, the only opinion that really matters is yours, and I am just here to share mine.

The Most Underrated Films of 2024 Here

Robert Zemeckis has gotten a lot of flak for his use...

Our year-end coverage continues with a look at the best performances of 2024. Rather than divide categories into supporting or lead or by gender, we’ve written about our 30 favorites, period. Find our countdown below and start watching the ones you’ve missed here and here.

30. Deragh Campbell and Matt Johnson (Matt and Mara)

It isn’t Deragh Campbell or Matt Johnson taken individually that make Kazik Radwanski’s not-quite-romance Matt and Mara so special; it’s what’s between them. Campbell and Johnson spark in their improvised conversations and gaze at each other with sparkling eyes and unfurrowed brows––the comfort of innate feelings, perhaps. They’re believable friends on screen because they are so off-screen, drawing upon their real-life relationships and experiences to capture something present and resonant. What impresses is just how richly they portray emotional truths buried beneath a well-performed surface. In unguarded moments, glimmers shine through the cracks.

Green Room is one of A24's best releases despite its underwhelming performance at the box office. Sir Patrick Stewart's standout performance as a cold, calculating villain made this film a cult favorite.

Green Room joins Prime Video's streaming library this December. A24 Films' 2016 horror thriller is considered one of the escape room subgenre's best offerings, in league with the Cube and Saw series. Fans have compared Green Room to John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13; both featured siege scenarios with odds stacked against reluctant protagonists. Green Room stars Anton Yelchin (Thoroughbreds), Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development), Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders), and Callum Turner (Masters of the Air) as members of the punk band Ain't Rights; Patrick Stewart also appears in the second half as the film's main antagonist.

Related 15 Best Survival Horror Films Of All Time, Ranked

Horror movies come in many shapes and sizes, but some of the...

Many movie fans came to learn the name Jeremy Saulnier thanks to this years critically acclaimed action thriller Rebel Ridge, but the filmmaker has been crafting cinematic brilliance for a while now. You can soon discover one such slice of movie genius with Green Room, Saulniers A24, 2015 horror-thriller outing that has now found a new streaming home on Prime Video.

Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Green Room stars the late Anton Yelchin alongside Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, and Callum Turner. Another of the movies biggest draws is the inclusion of X-Men and Star Trek: The Next Generation star Patrick Stewart, who delivers a truly terrifying performance against type as the neo-Nazi villain of the piece. Green Room was met with acclaim upon release, scoring a rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to its powerful performances and unapologetic genre thrills. The horror outing lands on Prime Video on...

(Welcome to Under the Radar, a column where we spotlight specific movies, shows, trends, performances, or scenes that caught our eye and deserved more attention ... but otherwise flew under the radar. In this edition: Jeremy Saulnier's action flick "Rebel Ridge," the coming-of-age comedy "Snack Shack," and the wonderful Studio Ghibli documentary "Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron.")

Don't look now, but 2024 is almost completely in our rearview mirror and you, our loyal /Film readers, must know what that means. Putting the finishing touches on our top 10 lists, engaging in unnecessarily angry debates about the buzziest Oscar-worthy movies, and cramming multiple disparate holidays into one hazy, months-long exercise in stream of consciousness are what the autumn and winter seasons were made for! But as this year in film begins to wind to a close, let not a single film enthusiast forget their most sacred duty of all. Of the many benefits of this column,...

Ever feel like you’ve stumbled upon a treasure trove but have no map to find more of the gold? That’s exactly how fans of Rebel Ridge are feeling these days—absolutely smitten by Jeremy Saulnier’s Netflix gem, but stumped on what to watch next.

Don Johnson and Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge | Credit: Netflix

Is it the unique blend of legal conspiracy and payback action that makes Rebel Ridge so addictive? This film truly stands out as one of Netflix’s finest. It offers a fresh take on the classic revenge narrative, featuring a breakout performance from Pierre, and showcases the director’s talent for ramping up the tension like no one else.

If you’ve recently treated yourself to Rebel Ridge and are on the hunt for more cinematic gems with a similar vibe, you’re in luck! We’ve put together a list that’ll...

If you’ve recently watched Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, directed by Jeremy Saulnier, and found yourself captivated by its intense action, dark tone, and social commentary, you’re in for a treat. Saulnier is no stranger to crafting gripping narratives full of suspense, and his 2013 crime thriller Blue Ruin is a must-watch if you want more of the director’s signature style. Below, we’ll explore what makes Blue Ruin such a standout film and why fans of Rebel Ridge will appreciate it.

A Gripping Tale of Vengeance

In Rebel Ridge, Saulnier blends themes of violence and systemic corruption into an action-packed thriller. Similarly, Blue Ruin revolves around the story of revenge, but it takes a more intimate and personal approach. The film follows Dwight, a drifter whose life takes a dark turn after he discovers that the man responsible for murdering his parents is being released from prison.

Blue Ruin...

Stars: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Daniel H. Chung, Dana Lee | Written and Directed by Jeremy Saulnier

It has been a while since Jeremy Saulnier gifted audiences with a film. After the one-two punch of 2013’s tense Blue Ruin and 2015’s masterful Green Room, Saulnier was solidified as a director worth watching. Since then, he has made 2018’s Hold the Dark, and worked on season 3 of True Detective. With Rebel Ridge, the writer/director has delivered another work that shows why he remains one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.

The story opens with the sight of Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), a former Marine, cycling into the town of Shelby Springs. With Metallica blaring in his earbuds, this prominent character is shown to be singularly focused as he rides into town with $36,000 in cash, money intended to post bail for his cousin...

Set in the remote town of Ennis, Alaska, True Detective: Night Country is a gorgeous and achingly cold season of television. In stark contrast to the southern-baked heat of True Detective's first three seasons, Issa Lpez's addition to the popular HBO franchise was one of recent television's most original takes on the crime genre. In fact, to find a story with a similar setting and tone, one would have to search for not another television show but an underrated Netflix film called Hold the Dark.

Starring Jeffrey Wright as a writer who moonlights as a wolf expert who's been called to a small Alaskan town to investigate the disappearance of three young children, Hold the Dark is every bit as mysterious, supernatural, and, yes, cold as True Detective: Night Country. And much like that incredibly popular television series, as this haunting and violent suspense film twists and turns toward its climax,...

The thriller Rebel Ridge was announced back in 2019, but took five years to make its way out into the world because the production was delayed by the pandemic lockdowns, then by the departure of lead actor John Boyega a few weeks into filming, reportedly due to “family reasons.” Saulnier has said that the making of Rebel Ridge saw him “slamming right into the Hollywood I’ve tried to avoid,” and, “We came back three years in a row to make that movie.” But the troubles were worth it, because the finished film was well-received (you can read our 8/10 review Here) and a success on Netflix. Now, Saulnier is looking forward to his next movie – and he’s going back to his roots to tell a fun Halloween story.

Saulnier’s previous credits include Murder Party, Blue Ruin, Green Room, Hold the Dark, and episodes of True Detective season 3. During an interview on The Playlist podcast,...

Director Jeremy Saulnier, who has gone on to direct films like the revenge thriller Blue Ruin, the neo-Nazi horror film Green Room, the mystery thriller Hold the Dark, and the crime thriller Rebel Ridge, as well as episodes of True Detective season 3, made his feature debut back in 2007 with the awesome horror comedy Murder Party (watch it Here) – and now Murder Party, which was previously only available on DVD when it comes to physical media releases, is finally set to reach Blu-ray!

Variety reports that Ocn Distribution, sister company of the genre-centric home video label Vinegar Syndrome, has secured a deal with distributor Magnolia Pictures and their genre imprint Magnet Releasing to bring several of their titles on Blu-ray and 4K Uhd. Magnolia and Vinegar Syndrome previously teamed up to bring the 2021 British horror film Censor to Blu-ray, but the first movie to get a Blu-ray release as part of...

Green Lantern has had a rough history on film. In 2011, Warner Bros. bet on the hero being their Iron Man; a B-lister underdog who could kick off a blockbuster franchise. "Green Lantern" starring Ryan Reynolds did not fly high so the character was almost completely absent from the DC Extended Universe. (None of the major Green Lanterns show up in either cut of "Justice League.")

Now, James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Studios is again looking to make the Green Lantern Corps an early fixture of their DC Films. Nathan Fillion is playing Guy Gardner in 2025's "Superman" and a "Lanterns" TV series is currently in development at HBO. A "True Detective" style murder mystery, "Lanterns" will star the two most famous comic Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan and John Stewart (not the one from "The Daily Show").

Kyle Chandler has recently been cast as Hal Jordan, so what about John?...

Rebel Ridge features over 500 VFX shots, and VFX supervisor Chris Connolly now explains why they were needed and where to spot them. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Ridge stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine attempting to pay his cousin's bail who finds himself facing off against police Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and his crew of corrupt officers. The Netflix thriller was met with positive reviews from audiences and critics upon its release in early September, due in part to its tense, grounded action sequences.

Connolly now sits down for an interview with Art of VFX, revealing that there are 502 VFX shots in Rebel Ridge. Some obvious moments that include VFX include Terry's bike crash at the start of the film and various gunshots throughout, but there are plenty of far more invisible VFX shots as well. Connolly explains, for example, that VFX was used fairly heavily...

Jeremy Saulnier, the director responsible for Netflix's hit action thriller Rebel Ridge, has said that he's already working on his next film. Unfortunately, for those digging his latest feature, he isn't working on a sequel to Rebel Ridge, or something remotely touching on the same genre. Apparently, he has decided to go back to his less "sober" roots.

The director appeared on The Playlist podcast, where he expanded on the screenplay he's currently writing. Saulnier has decided to return to the tone of previous projects like Green Room and his first feature, Murder Party, and take a more fun approach to his unique storytelling style. Per Saulnier's statement:

"Im currently writing something thats 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 Ive kinda gone back. It has to...

As interesting as the idea of a Rebel Ridge sequel may sound after the Netflix action movie success, Jeremy Saulnier's next planned movie has the potential to be even better than Rebel Ridge 2. Serving as Jeremy Saulnier's fifth feature film, Rebel Ridge has performed incredibly well critically and commercially since its release. The film has stayed in Netflix's weekly top 10 for two weeks straight and boasts an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. With so much going on in its favor, Rebel Ridge's sequel seems inevitable.

Although Rebel Ridge's ending is fairly conclusive, its narrative can be expanded into a full-fledged franchise in more ways than one. Owing to this, it is hard not to hope that Netflix will greenlight its sequel and pave the way for it to become an action franchise. However, Jeremy Saulnier seems to have different plans for his next movie, and, from the looks of it,...

Can’t get enough of “Rebel Ridge”? You’re certainly not alone. Jeremy Saulnier’s Netflix hit has soared up the streaming charts, thanks to Saulnier’s tight script, toothsome filmmaking and one star-making performance from Aaron Pierre. But all the qualities that make it so special also make it hard to find more movies that will scratch the same itch.

For one thing, it’s distressingly difficult to find action movies (that aren’t Batman or Spider-Man) where the hero makes an active effort not to kill people. But “Rebel Ridge” also treads in unique cinematic waters, a hybrid neo-western legal conspiracy thriller by way of payback actioner that seamlessly blends vintage sensibilities with modern techniques and is led by just about the coolest movie character of the decade. There’s nothing quite like it, but if you’re looking for more movies like “Rebel Ridge,” here’s a...

Jeremy Saulnier's new film, Rebel Ridge, hit Netflix in September 2024 and became one of the streaming service's most critically acclaimed films of recent memory. At the time of this writing, it has an incredible 96% fresh rating and has spent weeks at the number one spot on Netflix's Top 10 movies. To say this was an unexpected result would be something of an understatement. Saulnier has made some incredible films before, but none have resonated as strongly as this.

To understand why Rebel Ridge has become one of the year's breakout hits, we've got to look at the gap created when audience expectations cultivated from a lifetime of watching movies are surprisingly upended, resulting in a unique viewing experience that feels fresh and new. That's the magic trick that Jeremy Saulnier performed here: taking what should have been your average everyday revenge thriller and turning it into something much more.

Related...

Rebel Ridge seemingly came out of nowhere to become the biggest thing on Netflix the last few weeks. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Ridge feels a lot like a modern Rambo, with Aaron Pierre playing Terry Richmond, a Marine out to save his cousin and expose the corrupt police force led by Chief Sandy Burne (Don Johnson). It was a star-making performance for Pierre, but it almost didn't happen. Another actor, one much more famous, was first cast to play Richmond. John Boyega was going to be the lead in Rebel Ridge, but during filming, Boyega left under mysterious circumstances, leading Saulnier to wonder if his film was done.

Jeremy Saulniers 2007 horror-comedy Murder Party is coming to Blu-ray and 4K Uhd, Variety reports. The announcement comes as Ocn Distribution, sister company of genre-centric home video label Vinegar Syndrome joins hands with Magnolia Pictures to re-release some of their iconic titles. Saulnier has emerged as one of the most exciting filmmakers who make genre films that do not pull any punches.

Jeremy Saulnier has proven to be one of the most exciting filmmakers to emerge within the last decade, as he has consistently provided the sorts of genre films that Hollywood studios dont seem interested in making anymore. There once was an era in which intelligent thrillers, gnarly horror films, and brutal action flicks could do responsibly well at the box office, even if they came at a fraction of the price of the standard blockbuster films that Hollywood often relies upon. While the last few decades have seen an inordinately high amount of superhero films and other projects based on previously existing intellectual property, Saulnier has refreshingly built a brand that is entirely dependent on original material.

Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge dominated Netflix’s Top 10 list for the second week this week and it has gained acclaim with a certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96% with an audience score of 69%. Our own Chris Bumbray says in his review, “But what makes Rebel Ridge such a must-watch movie are the action sequences, which are shot in a lean, mean, and realistic way. You see, in the film, Terry is a former close combat instructor, and those are the tactics he uses to take on his opponents, with Pierre thrillingly adept in the well-staged martial arts sequences. This kind of action role makes a guy like him a star, and one has to imagine that the suits at Marvel and DC will be keeping an eye on him.” The fights scenes are a standout for the film and one person who has ample experience with hardcore fighting is director Timo Tjahjanto.

It didn’t feel as though Rebel Ridge had a ton of buzz leading up to its premiere on Netflix, but Jeremy Saulnier’s action thriller is making up for that in a big way. For the second week in a row, Rebel Ridge is dominating Netflix’s Top 10 list, with 38.6 million views. Its closest competitor, the sci-fi movie Uglies, is lagging behind with 20.8 million views

Rebel Ridge stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine who “enters the town of Shelby Springs on a simple but urgent mission– post bail for his cousin and save him from imminent danger. But when Terry’s life’s savings is unjustly seized by law-enforcement, he’s forced to go head to head with local police chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and his combat-ready officers. Terry finds an unlikely ally in court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb) and the two become ensnared...

Renowned author Stephen King has praised the Netflix action thriller “Rebel Ridge” on social media. King called the film “one of the best” original movies on the streaming service.

Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, “Rebel Ridge” follows Terry Richmond, a former Marine embroiled in a conflict with corrupt local authorities. Aaron Pierre stars as Richmond, who aims to expose wrongdoing without using violence.

“Rebel Ridge” has attracted widespread attention since its release. On Netflix’s viewing chart, the movie has maintained the top spot for over a week. According to King, the film presents “a thinking man’s approach” to the action genre.

Though production faced challenges, Saulnier remained dedicated to the project. When lead actor John Boyega left for personal reasons, Saulnier took control of all aspects to complete the film. Critics note Saulnier skillfully addresses issues like racial injustice and policing through Richmond’s restraint.

King’s praise brings...

Throughout film history, there have been companies and, for certain stretches, whole studios notorious for churning out garbage. Obviously, American International Pictures had a rep for schlock, but they hit for a shockingly high average at their late 1950s and '60s peak. There's also Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus' Cannon Films, which sparkled with its constellation of B-list action stars like Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson, but Golan was a filmmaker himself with dreams of respectability who courted legit directors like Franco Zeffirelli, Jerry Schatzberg, and Andrei Konchalovsky to make Academy Awards-worthy movies for his exploitation factory.

One of the more outlandishly awful runs from any production entity was Hollywood Pictures, which was created by Disney to nurture fledgling executives and feed film-starved multiplexes — lacking in the wake of MGM/UA, Lorimar and Deg's financial difficulties — with new movies. Disney wasn't sending its best to Hollywood Pictures, so agents...

Stephen King loves nothing more than trawling Netflix for his next watch, and it seems that Rebel Ridge has unsurprisingly dropped onto the authors radar thanks to its dominance of the platform in the last week. Now it is getting another boost from the streamers ever-present, unofficial social media critic - as he calls it one of the best originals ever produced by Netflix.

Rebel Ridge 5/5 RActionCrimeDrama

A former Marine confronts corruption in a small town when local law enforcement unjustly seizes the bag of cash he needs to post his cousin's bail.

Release Date September 6, 2024Director Jeremy SaulnierCast Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Oscar Gale, Reid Williams, Steve ZissisRuntime 2h 12mMain Genre CrimeWriters Jeremy SaulnierStudio Filmscience, Bonneville PicturesDistributor(s) NetflixStreaming Service(s) NetflixCharacter(s) Terry Richmond, Chief Sandy Burnne, Summer McBride, Officer Evan Marston, Officer Steve Lann, Skinny Guard, Defendant, Elliot Expand

Considering the high praise received so far,...

Netflix’s latest action thriller Rebel Ridge has received positive reviews all around. The Aaron Pierre and Don Johnson starrer has been appreciated for its sensitive subject matter and visceral action sequences. The film received a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been getting rave reviews.

Filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier recently detailed how he conceived the innovative action sequences in the film. Preferring to keep the action real instead of over-the-top choreography, Saulnier reportedly pushed against polished sequences to capture the awkwardness of real-life fighting.

Why Do Rebel Ridge’s Action Sequences Feel So Real? Aaron Pierre in Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge | Credits: Netflix

The action thriller Rebel Ridge is not director Jeremy Saulnier’s first action rodeo. The filmmaker is possibly best known for the slasher film Green Room and the revenge thriller Blue Ruin. He is known for his gory action set-pieces which lean towards the horror genre than adrenaline-pumping action.

Quick Links Why John Boyega Walked Away From Rebel Ridge How Did Aaron Pierre Join Rebel Ridge? Would John Boyega Have Been a Better Terry Richmond?

The following contains minor spoilers for Rebel Ridge, now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix has been on a roll with action movies, most notably with major hits like Extraction and The Union. While critics might not be as into the films, the viewership is. They're simple and have high-octane plots. Now, Jeremy Saulnier's Rebel Ridge gets to elevate this sub-genre a bit for the streaming service.

It stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine instructor, who gets grafted into a racist scheme involving police brutality in the small town of Shelby Springs. While many are raving about Pierre's breakout performance, he wasn't originally slated to play the protagonist. Before Pierre, the role of Terry Richmond was originally going to go to Star Wars actor,...

“Rebel Ridge” is the #1 movie on Netflix right now.

In its first week of release the movie, which stars Aaron Pierre as a former Marine who heads to a small town to post bail for his cousin and finds himself in an increasingly labyrinthine conspiracy, amassed a whopping 31.2 million views (according to Netflix). It also won killer reviews, including our own review, which described the movie as “exciting, engaging, stimulating entertainment.” Plus, every cool kid you follow on Letterboxd is watching, rating and talking about it. Just look.

And this kind of universal acceptance and acclaim would be a feat for any movie, really, but it seems like even more of an accomplishment given the journey that “Rebel Ridge” has been on. This is a movie whose production weathered a Covid-19 shutdown, an abrupt change in the movie’s main cast and a prolonged post-production process.

For writer/director Jeremy Saulnier,...

After watching Jeremy Saulnier's Rebel Ridge, many viewers might look for similar action thrillers that feature badass protagonists. Fortunately, even though Rebel Ridge brings a unique spin on the action genre's tropes, audiences can find many films that revolve around similar themes. One of these films was even directed by Jeremy Saulnier himself almost a decade before Rebel Ridge.

Set in a fictional town, the Netflix action movie hooks viewers with its opening scene, where two police officers ram an ex-Marine's bicycle and seize his money via civil forfeiture. Since the former Marine, Terry Richmond, intended to use the money to bail his cousin out of prison, he sets out on a torrid legal journey to get his money back before resorting to extreme measures. Like Jeremy Saulnier's other movies, Rebel Ridge never leaves a dull moment with its action and drama. Not all filmmakers can match Saulnier's directorial forte,...

Early in his acting career, Aaron Pierre heard he was too tall to ever convincingly convey emotion onscreen. The passing remark stayed with Pierre, who, standing at 6 foot, 3 inches, has spent much of his career disproving that notion with memorable characters on stage and screen.

After starting out in London theater, Pierre broke out as an enslaved man fighting for freedom in Barry Jenkins’ historical limited series “The Underground Railroad” and as a rapper cheekily named “Mid-Sized Sedan” in M. Night Shyamalan’s existential horror film “Old.” But this year marks a new career-high for the 30-year-old English performer, who became the latest actor to reexamine the legacy of Malcolm X in the fourth season of National Geographic’s anthology series “Genius” and will debut as the rich baritone voice of Mufasa in Jenkins’ new “Lion King” prequel this December.

Pierre’s latest leading role, in Netflix’s “Rebel Ridge,...

Rebel Ridge director Jeremy Saulnier addresses Star Wars actor John Boyega's exit from the Netflix film. Marking his latest movie after 2018's Hold the Dark, Rebel Ridge stars Aaron Pierre as ex-Marine Terry Richmond, who finds himself in a showdown against corrupt, small-town cops as he attempts to post bail for his cousin. The film, which also stars Don Johnson, David Denman, AnnaSophia Robb, and Emory Cohen, had a rocky road during production due in part to the departure of Boyega, who was originally slated to play Terry, with "family reasons" being cited for the exit.

In a recent interview with Vulture, Saulnier is asked about Pierre's casting and how Rebel Ridge kept going after Boyega left the project. While the director doesn't go into detail regarding why exactly Boyega left and the speculation that it wasn't just due to family reasons, he does stress that it was...

In Jeremy Saulnier’s breakthrough films Blue Ruin and Green Room, the writer-director thrust protagonists into violent cacophonies they weren’t equipped to navigate. With his new Netflix actioner Rebel Ridge, Saulnier centers his story on a hero much more adept at meeting force with force. The film stars Aaron Pierre as a Marine hand-to-hand combat expert who comes to a small southern town to bail out his cousin. Before he can do so, his bail money is confiscated by the corrupt, militarized local police force (led by chief Don Johnson) via a bogus civil asset forfeiture claim. Confrontations—both verbal and physical—ensue. […]

The post “It Sounded Like a Good Title”: Jeremy Saulnier on Rebel Ridge first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

In Jeremy Saulnier’s breakthrough films Blue Ruin and Green Room, the writer-director thrust protagonists into violent cacophonies they weren’t equipped to navigate. With his new Netflix actioner Rebel Ridge, Saulnier centers his story on a hero much more adept at meeting force with force. The film stars Aaron Pierre as a Marine hand-to-hand combat expert who comes to a small southern town to bail out his cousin. Before he can do so, his bail money is confiscated by the corrupt, militarized local police force (led by chief Don Johnson) via a bogus civil asset forfeiture claim. Confrontations—both verbal and physical—ensue. […]

The post “It Sounded Like a Good Title”: Jeremy Saulnier on Rebel Ridge first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Netflix's new crime thriller, Rebel Ridge, has become the number one film on the platform in its debut weekend.

Per Deadline, Rebel Ridge has garnered 31.2 million views since dropping on Netflix on Sept. 6, placing it atop the platform's list of top 10 movies. Lee Daniels' new film, The Deliverance, comes in at second after dropping on Netflix on Aug. 30, bringing in 21.8 million views between Sept. 2 to Sept. 8. The action comedy, The Union, starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry is still performing well, ranking third on the list.

Related Rebel Ridge's Explosive Ending Explained

Netflix's Rebel Ridge has an intense finale that sees Terry and Summer falling into a dangerous game when they expose racist, corrupt police officers.

Rebel Ridge is a new crime thriller from director Jeremy Saulnier which follows Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), a former Marine who goes to a small town to post bail for his cousin,...

Since its premiere on Netflix on September 6, Rebel Ridge has been at the top of the streamer's charts, and for good reason. Its an explosive thriller that blends sociopolitical commentary with enough tense drama and action that its certain to be regarded as a classic in the years to come, akin to Rambo or Walking Tall. This gripping portrait of a Marine veteran dealing with small-town corruption could have been ripped from todays headlines which raises the question: Is Rebel Ridge based on a true story?

Sitting down to speak with Netflixs Tudum on the day Rebel Ridge premiered, director Jeremy Saulnier explained how much of his latest movie is based on real life. While some of the events depicted in the film are grounded in reality, such as the civil asset forfeiture that Aaron Pierres character Terry Richmond experiences at the start of the movie, the overall plot for...

My first tryst with Jeremy Saulnier was the 2015 punk vs. nazi thriller Green Room. I had no idea what I was walking into. But the barn burner of a movie, where late Anton Yelchin delivered one hell of a performance, and Sir Patrick Stewart played a very against-type Nazi cult leader, did more than enough for me to check out the director’s other work. So I immediately jumped onto Blue Ruin, Saulnier’s previous film, where he gave a whole new spin to the usual revenge drama genre. It was as anxiety-inducing as Green Room, but much more methodical and subdued in approach. Both films, however, managed to put the name of Jeremy Saulnier in my semi-pro-level cinema enthusiast head. But I eventually moved on. Saulnier did come back to the scene with Hold the Dark, arguably his biggest film, boasting of a stellar cast and the backing of Netflix,...

Watching a Jeremy Saulnier thriller is a unique experience. Each film offers an interesting yet differing take and viewpoint, all while chilling the audience to the bone. Blue Ruin explores revenge by way of a mysterious, unfurling plotline; Green Room is the best horror film about the Neo-Nazi punk rock scene ever made, ultimately curling back into subtle (hair-raising) satire, and Hold The Dark explores animalistic mythos and portrays Alaska as its never been seen on film before. In his new thriller Rebel Ridge, director Saulnier teams up with rising star Aaron Pierre to explore themes of law and corruption sure to keep the audience in maddening, spell-binding suspense from beginning to end.

This post contains spoilers for "Rebel Ridge."

"Green Room" director Jeremy Saulnier's latest movie, "Rebel Ridge," is currently sitting atop the Netflix charts just a few days after its debut. "Rebel Ridge" is a stellar action thriller with spectacular performances from Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, and AnnaSophia Robb, and although it takes some cues from films like "First Blood," Saulnier manages to make it feel distinctly modern.

I caught up with the director recently over Zoom and had a spoiler-filled conversation with him about how much "First Blood" inspired this project, the aspect of the movie Saulnier refers to as "career-defining," and much more. Specifically, I asked him about the ending, which, although I still love the film, I personally think undercuts the movie's strongest message. Did Saulnier change the story to appease Netflix, or were the final moments -- in which the cops of Shelby Springs end up coming...

Actors walk away from projects all the time, for all sorts of reasons. "Scheduling conflicts" and "creative differences" are two of the most-cited, but for the most part, when word comes out about an actor parting ways with a movie or TV show, they leave before filming has actually begun. Sometimes they walk away perilously close to the start of production, as was the case when Joaquin Phoenix bailed on a Todd Haynes' movie last month less than a week before cameras started rolling (and he could potentially face legal action because he cut it so close).

But in 2021, something even more unusual happened: Actor John Boyega left the production of writer/director Jeremy Saulnier's Netflix action thriller "Rebel Ridge" one month after the movie started filming. An exit like that is extremely rare in modern Hollywood, and it caused the film to shut down so Saulnier could find a new lead actor.

The revenge flick genre includes some of Hollywood's most celebrated films, from Kill Bill to John Wick, and more recent entries like the much-maligned remake of The Crow. That last example proves that it's just as easy to go off the tracks in this genre as it is to make a hit (if not more so), which is why it's so impressive that a novice filmmaker was able to make one of the 2010s most underrated revenge thrillers with the indie film, Blue Ruin.

Revenge seldom, if ever, solves anything, and few films do a better job of proving that point than Jeremy Saulnier's Blue Ruin. Instead, the film makes it a point to clarify that violence will only beget more violence, initiating an endless cycle that can only end in heartbreak. It's a nuanced point of view that Hollywood has avoided for years in favor of churning out...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Rebel Ridge!

Netflix's new action movie Rebel Ridge is inspired by a real-life altercation. Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Ridge features a strong cast led by Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, and Don Johnson. The film follows a tension-fueled premise of an ex-Marine getting framed by corrupt cops in a small town in southern America. Terry Richmond, the ex-Marine protagonist played by Pierre, ultimately gets into a showdown with Johnson's Chief Sandy Summers after having tens of thousands of dollars stolen from him. Terry was unethically detained by officers Evan Marston (Denman) and Steve Lann (Emory Cohen).

By the end of Rebel Ridge, Terry fights against corrupt local law enforcement to bring them to justice and find revenge using his highly advanced close combat skills. After being released on Netflix on September 6, 2024, Rebel Ridge has become the most popular movie on the streaming platform,...

There's a corner of the multiverse where Neon beat out Netflix to acquire "Hit Man" and turned the Glen Powell-Adria Arjona two-hander into the word-of-mouth theatrical hit it deserved to be. It's possible that same, better timeline is also where one of the streamer's rivals released "Rebel Ridge" in theaters instead of directly onto streaming, ensuring we would all be heralding Aaron Pierre as our next major movie star right about now.

Fortunately, Jeremy Saulnier's tension-ratcheting action-drama has managed to avoid being swallowed into the streaming void and is currently topping the Netflix charts in the U.S., which means the internet is actively in the process of fan-casting Pierre's next big project. With naught but a voice role as a young Mufasa in his "Underground Railroad" director Barry Jenkins' upcoming "Lion King" prequel on his docket, what do people have in mind for Pierre? Playing a superhero, of course!

Rebel Ridge director Jeremy Saulnier addresses whether the movie is based on a true story. Saulnier's latest Netflix production stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine who gets pulled over by the police and has his money seized from him despite being legitimately owned by him. A confrontation begins between the Marine officer and the police department, overseen by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson), who secretly leads a corrupt operation.

Speaking with Netflix's Tudum in the wake of the film's release, Saulnier clarifies if the movie is indeed based on a true story. Stating that it is not, the filmmaker also says that some aspects could certainly occur in real life, including how corrupt systems persist in our society. Check out what he said on the matter below:

This film is not based on a particular incident, but elements of it could certainly happen. Im interested in...

Jeremy Saulnier's latest movie, "Rebel Ridge," just debuted on Netflix — and critics are loving the newest project from the director of "Green Room."

According to FlixPatrol, the movie — which Saulnier wrote and edited as well — has been the most-watched Netflix film in the U.S. since it hit the streamer on September 6, 2024. It also has a pretty astounding Rotten Tomatoes rating of 95% (as of this writing). With Aaron Pierre in the lead role of Marine veteran Terry Richmond — a role that was originally played by "Star Wars" veteran John Boyega until the actor departed due to family commitments — the movie has a pretty impressive cast, with James Cromwell, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, and Emory Cohen flanking Pierre.

So, what is "Rebel Ridge" about? As the movie begins, Pierre's Terry is heading to post bail for his cousin Mike (C.J. LeBlanc) and plans to buy a truck afterwards...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Rebel Ridge.

Rebel Ridge director Jeremy Saulnier breaks down the film's ending action sequence. Saulnier's latest film after the likes of Green Room (2015) and Hold the Dark (2018) stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine who finds himself facing off against a crew of corrupt, small-town cops while trying to post bail for his cousin. The Rebel Ridge ending sees Terry's confrontation come to a head in a chaotic shootout, with Pierre's character ultimately saving the life of David Denman's honest Officer Evan Marston while taking down his corrupt colleagues.

In a recent interview with Netflix, Saulnier explains how that ending sequence in Rebel Ridge was pulled off. The director stresses that he wanted all the action to feel "grounded" and real, and Pierre himself played a large role in this. According to Saulnier, the scene in which Pierre quickly drags Denman to...

Rebel Ridge director Jeremy Saulnier teases his next movie, comparing it to his violent 2015 horror movie starring Patrick Stewart. Hitting Netflix this past weekend, Rebel Ridge stars Aaron Pierre as an ex-Marine who faces off against a small town police department while attempting to post bail for his cousin. Reviews for the action thriller have been glowing from critics, leading to questions regarding what Saulnier, who is also well known for movies like Green Room (2015) and Blue Ruin (2013) will do next.

In a recent interview with The Playlist, Saulnier is asked what he'll be tackling after Rebel Ridge, revealing that his next movie will be more in line with Green Room. The filmmaker says the project "is in the Green Room universe," though it's unclear if he means a literal extension of that film's story or more of a spiritual and tonal successor that adopts that film's darker tone and brutal violence.