Ep1034: REBEL RIDGE (2024) - Movie Review

Kicking the Seat

Against all better judgment, David refuses to give up on Ian!

Yes, the guys are back to review another new movie that the persistent and persuasive Mr. Fowlie hopes will make a believer out of our resident sourpuss.

Unfortunately, the film at hand is the latest Netflix actioner, Rebel Ridge! Aaron Pierre stars as a stoic martial arts badass whose bike trip through Redneckville becomes a week-long gauntlet of extortion, corruption, revenge, and more tough-guy glowering than a thousand furrowed brows.

It's not surprising that Ian didn't respond to this one; what is shocking is that Rebel Ridge was directed by one of his favorite filmmakers, Jeremy Saulnier Blue Ruin, Green Room). The new movie represents a departure for the indie visionary, whose blood-drenched, off-the-wall crime operas made him one of the new century's most exciting young voices. Comparatively squeaky clean in its presentation, Rebel Ridge is so lacking in Saulnier's hallmarks as to be more of a dare than a sensical film.

Watch as the guys talk Rambo, rural Internet, "factoid screenwriting", and the inherent magical properties of coconut water!

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Show Links

• Watch the Rebel Ridge trailer.

• Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.

• Plus! Listen to Ian and David's other recent (and very raucous) reviews of:

  • Duchess (2024)

  • The Old Oak (2024)

  • What Remains (2024)

• Plus! Plus! Listen to previous Kicking the Seat reviews of Jeremy Saulnier's movies!

  • Murder Party and Blue Ruin

  • Green Room and Hold the Dark