Rebel Ridge is an American crime-action thriller film written, produced, directed, and edited by Jeremy Saulnier. The movie features Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine determined to post bail for his cousin, whose assets were wrongfully seized through civil forfeiture by a corrupt police department. The cast also includes Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Zsané Jhé, Dana Lee, and James Cromwell.
Cast
Aaron Pierre
Aaron Pierre stars as Terry Richmond, a former Marine who is determined to secure his cousin’s release from jail after their assets are unjustly seized.
Don Johnson
Don Johnson plays Chief Sandy Burnne, a corrupt police chief who is at the heart of the injustice Terry is fighting against.
AnnaSophia Robb
AnnaSophia Robb takes on the role of Summer McBride, a key figure whose interactions with Terry add depth to the story.
David Denman
David Denman portrays Officer Evan Marston, a member of the corrupt police force with a crucial role in the unfolding drama.
Emory Cohen
Emory Cohen plays Officer Steve Lann, another corrupt officer whose actions significantly impact the plot.
Steve Zissis
Steve Zissis appears as Elliot, a character who adds intrigue and complexity to the storyline.
Zsané Jhé
Zsané Jhé plays Officer Jessica Sims, an officer caught in the web of corruption that Terry is trying to expose.
James Cromwell
James Cromwell is cast as the Judge, whose decisions are pivotal to the story’s progression and climax.
Dana Lee
Dana Lee takes on the role of Mr. Liu, a character whose involvement adds a layer of depth to the unfolding narrative.
Plot
Terry Richmond, a former Marine, rolls into Shelby Springs with two goals in mind: to post bail for his cousin Mike Simmons and to buy a truck so they can start fresh. However, his plans hit a snag when he’s abruptly stopped and detained by police officers Evan Marston and Steve Lann. Despite the $36,000 being completely legitimate, the officers seize the cash through civil forfeiture, leaving Terry in a tough spot.
The courthouse clerk, Elliot, turns Terry away, offering no assistance. However, Summer McBride, another employee, steps in and agrees to prepare the necessary forms—on the condition that Terry can come up with the $10,000 needed before Mike’s transfer to state prison on Thursday. Mike’s life is at risk because he’s facing danger from a gangster for cooperating with the authorities.
Terry heads to the police station to report the missing cash as stolen, speaking with Officer Jessica Sims. However, he’s soon confronted by Lann and Police Chief Sandy Burnne. Trying to cut a deal, Terry offers to drop the whole thing in exchange for $10,000 to cover bail. He’s told to come back on Monday to settle the issue.
On Monday, Terry shows up at the station, only to learn that the bus transporting Mike has just left. Determined, he hops on his bike and races to catch up, telling Mike to hang in there until he can make bail. Desperate for help, Terry reaches out to his old business partner, Liu, but finds out that Liu can’t send any money—the police just raided the restaurant.
Terry heads back to the station, once again offering his deal, but despite calling it “reasonable,” Burnne refuses. Using his skills in close combat, Terry quickly takes down both Lann and Burnne. He then forces Officer Sims to hand over the bail money and assist in his escape. With Summer’s help, Terry successfully posts bail, but his victory is short-lived—he’s immediately taken into custody.
Terry is escorted to a hospital by Marston and Burnne, where Burnne breaks the news—Mike was stabbed after being processed. Burnne offers Terry $26,000, the truck he planned to buy, and a promise not to press charges, on one condition: Terry has to leave town. He agrees. Moments later, hospital staff inform him that Mike has died. That evening, while getting a ride out of town with Summer, she asks for his help investigating people being jailed for 90 days over minor misdemeanors. Terry, however, decides to pass on the offer.
Later that night, after picking up the truck, Terry gets a frantic call from Summer—she’s been drugged by the police. Without hesitation, he rushes back to help her. The next morning, Summer faces a serious challenge: she has to take a urine test after the court was notified of her drug use, putting her child custody at risk.
As Terry drives out of town, Lann suddenly flags him down, tosses a gun into his car, and shoots him. Wounded but determined, Terry manages to escape and reunites with Summer at Liu’s restaurant. Liu, a former Chinese medic from the Korean War, steps in and tends to Terry’s injuries.
That night, Summer and Terry confront Elliot and the judge, uncovering a massive cover-up. They admit the town is skirting transparency rules put in place after a legal settlement nearly drove them bankrupt. The scheme? Keeping people locked up for 90 days on minor charges so they can’t get public defenders in time to request dashcam footage of their arrests—footage that gets deleted once the data retention period ends.
Terry and Summer break into the courthouse basement, grabbing the SD cards just as the police arrive and set the place on fire. Terry manages to escape, but Summer is caught while trying to destroy her urine sample.
The next morning, Terry and Lann agree to swap Summer for the SD cards at Rebel Ridge. While Lann and the police wait at the exchange site, Terry storms the station using the truck, subdues Burnne, but is captured by Sims when the officers return. Lann destroys the cards and reveals that Summer is dangerously close to overdosing. Marston protests, but Burnne shoots him in the femur, leaving him to bleed out. Burnne orders the cops to kill Terry and frame him for Marston’s death, but Terry manages to overpower most of the officers, including Lann, in a fierce fight.
Marston instructs Terry to activate the police cruiser’s siren, which saves the last three minutes of dashcam footage. He then guides Terry through administering Narcan to revive Summer. The trio flee in the cruiser with the police hot on their trail. Ordered to perform a PIT maneuver, Sims takes a bold move and hits Burnne’s vehicle instead, arresting him on the spot. The remaining officers escort them to the hospital, reporting that state police are on their way. After Marston and Summer are admitted, Terry secures the crucial dashcam footage and waits in the hospital hallway.
Review
“In Pursuit of Justice” is a gripping thriller that expertly combines suspense, action, and social commentary. The film’s plot is both thrilling and thought-provoking, shedding light on systemic corruption and the personal toll of injustice. The performances are strong across the board, with each actor bringing depth to their roles and driving the narrative forward.
The film’s tension is palpable, from Terry’s high-octane escape sequences to the emotional weight of Summer’s struggle. The intense confrontation scenes are well-choreographed, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The revelation of the cover-up and the subsequent chase sequences are handled with precision, offering a satisfying mix of thrills and drama.
However, some viewers might find the pacing uneven at times, especially in moments where the plot shifts from high action to more introspective scenes. Nonetheless, these moments serve to deepen the characters and their motivations.
Overall, “In Pursuit of Justice” is a powerful and engaging film that delivers a compelling story with standout performances. It’s a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers and those interested in stories that challenge the status quo.
Where to watch Rebel Ridge: On Netflix
IMDb Ratings: 7/10
Metacritic: 78%
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