Rebel Ridge reclaims the number one spot on Netflix’s global chart. Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, known previously for Blue Ruin and A24’s Green Room, Netflix’s new action film follows a former Marine who finds himself entangled in small-town corruption when his effort to post bail for his wrongfully accused cousin spirals into a deadly confrontation with the local police chief. Aaron Pierre leads the Rebel Ridge cast alongside Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Zsané Jhé, Dana Lee, and James Cromwell.

Now, Netflix‘s new action film with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score has reclaimed the number one spot on their global chart. Rebel Ridge ranked first on Netflix’s Global Top 10 for the week of September 23-29 with 8.9 million views and 19.5 million hours viewed. It ranked ahead of other new Netflix originals Uglies and Jailbreak: Love on the Run for the week.

Rebel Ridge Reviews Are Very Positive

The Intense & Intelligent Thriller Features A Breakout Performance

In a refreshing departure from many of the Netflix original movies that frequently top their charts, Rebel Ridge reviews are actually overwhelmingly positive. Critics are calling it a sharp and captivating showcase for actor Aaron Pierre in his breakout performance, who previously starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, while simultaneously setting a high standard for modern action thrillers with intensity and other standout performances. Rebel Ridge holds a strong 95% Rotten Tomatoes score with 108 reviews from critics.

Related

6 Reasons Rebel Ridge’s Reviews Are So Great

Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge is receiving incredible reviews from both viewers and critics, which is not surprising after considering seven reasons.

In addition to receiving critical acclaim, Rebel Ridge has spent several weeks atop Netflix’s global chart. Released on September 6, the action film ranked first on their Global Top 10 with 31.2 million views in just two days of streaming. It spent another week in first place with even more views, 38.6 million, before being briefly dethroned by Uglies, though it still scored 16.7 million views in second place. Now, Rebel Ridge has reclaimed the number-one spot, spending four weeks in the Top 10 so far.

Our Take On Rebel Ridge’s Netflix Success

It Deserves To Be No.1 Again

It’s refreshing to see Rebel Ridge, an action movie that’s actually being received positively, topping the streamer’s chart. Many Netflix original movies – such as Incoming, The Union, and Find Me Falling, just to name a few recent examples – have topped Netflix’s chart despite receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews. Rebel Ridge reclaiming the number one spot also shows that it has some staying power, as opposed to many of the aforementioned movies that have ranked first before being immediately forgotten forever.

Is Rebel Ridge’s Netflix’s Next Big Action Franchise?

It Already Sets Up A Sequel

Considering its critical and commercial success, Netflix may have found its next big action franchise in Rebel Ridge. The streaming service has experienced some success with its original action content in the past, including the Extraction franchise, starring Chris Hemsworth, which includes two movies and a third on the horizon. However, Netflix has also had some major misfires as well with Red Notice and The Gray Man, despite featuring starry casts that include Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, and Dwayne Johnson.

Red Notice and The Gray Man were reportedly intended to launch franchises, though they have yet to come to fruition due to their overwhelmingly negative critical responses. What sets Rebel Ridge apart is that it’s been received overwhelmingly positively by both critics and audiences. In Aaron Pierre, Netflix also has a breakout star who is already best known for his role as Terry Richmond in Rebel Ridge, and now the streamer can begin building and fleshing out an action franchise with him as the face.

It also helps that Rebel Ridge sets up a sequel, even if indirectly, with its intricate character dynamics and unresolved story arcs. The film features a few deeper relationships and alliances that could evolve in a sequel. Characters like Officer Jessica Sims, who eventually challenges Chief Sandy’s authority, and Officer Evan Marston, who supports Summer McBride, provide a robust foundation for a coalition against corruption. Their combined skills and moral compasses could lead them to confront larger criminal networks within law enforcement.

During Rebel Ridge‘s ending, police officers begin to recognize the corruption within their ranks, particularly Chief Sandy’s overreach. Instead of taking action against Terry Richmond, they escort him to the hospital, creating an environment ripe for further exploration. The crucial moment of Terry retrieving evidence from the camera signals potential legal consequences for both him and Chief Sandy, inviting a narrative that could delve into the aftermath of these events, including Richmond’s possible quest for justice while evading capture or facing retribution from those affected by his actions.

Source: Netflix

Former Marine Terry Richmond travels to Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin, only to find his savings unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force. With the help of court clerk Summer McBride, Terry uncovers a deep-seated conspiracy and vows to bring justice to the town.

Director

Jeremy Saulnier

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Writers

Jeremy Saulnier

Cast

Aaron Pierre , David Denman , Emory Cohen , Oscar Gale , AnnaSophia Robb , Reid Williams , Steve Zissis , Daniel H. Chung , Dana Lee , Zsane Jhe , Don Johnson , C.J. LeBlanc , Matthew Rimmer , Brannon Cross , Victor Eli Hugo , James Cromwell , Chelsea Bryan , Al Vicente , Terence Rosemore , Leslie Nipkow , Rhonda Johnson Dents , Charlie Talbert , Harlon Miller , Clayton Cooper , Caleb J. Thaggard , Jordan Thoma , Angela Griffitt

Character(s)

Terry Richmond , Officer Evan Marston , Officer Steve Lann , Skinny Guard , Summer McBride , Defendant , Elliot , Ken , Mr. Liu , Officer Jessica Sims , Chief Sandy Burnne , Mike Simmons , Foreman , Construction Worker , Bricklayer , Judge , Paramedic , Corrections Officer , Mariner , Victoria , Principal , Teacher , Scout Dad , Ben , Officer McGill , Officer Barnett , Nurse

Runtime

131 Minutes

Expand