Summary
- Netflix’s upcoming action film Rebel Ridge features an overpowered protagonist akin to Jack Reacher, waging war against corrupt local law enforcers.
- Rebel Ridge follows a familiar “mysterious stranger” trope, with the protagonist using military prowess to outsmart and defeat corrupt cops.
- With a framework similar to Reacher’s successful book adaptations, Rebel Ridge could become a potential action franchise on Netflix.
A new action movie, which is set to be released on Netflix in September, seems like the perfect watch for viewers who are eagerly waiting for Reacher season 3. Unlike Prime Video’s Reacher, which is based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series, this new film adopts an original storyline. However, its clear similarities with Reacher make it hard not to see it as a potential replacement for the Amazon show before the release of its next installment.
As reports have confirmed, Reacher season 3 is adapting Lee Child’s Persuader, which will likely make it more similar to season 1 than season 2. This is great news since most viewers enjoyed watching Jack Reacher as a solitary figure in season 1 rather than seeing him work with a team of military professionals in season 2. However, since Reacher season 3 will not be released anytime before 2025, audiences can fill the gap by watching one upcoming Netflix action film.
Related
All Jack Reacher Books In Order (Where To Start)
The Amazon Prime Video television show Reacher is based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books – read on for all the novels in the lengthy series.
Like Amazon’s Reacher, Netflix’s Rebel Ridge Features An Overpowered Protagonist
Rebel Ridge Also Riffs On The “Mysterious Stranger” Trope Like Reacher
Like Reacher, Netflix’s upcoming action film Rebel Ridge features an overpowered protagonist, Terry Richmond, who ends up in a small town. The purpose of his visit is to bail out his younger brother from prison. However, what initially seems like a brief visit takes a dire turn when some local cops steal the bail amount. Like Jack Reacher, Terry Richmond refuses to buckle in the face of a corrupt system. Instead of backing off when the local law enforcers threaten him, he sets out to wage a war on them without worrying about the consequences.
As Rebel Ridge‘s trailer suggests, the protagonist, like Jack Reacher, is presented as a mysterious stranger. Since his past and identity is initially shrouded, the corrupt cops who stole his money underestimate him. However, when he puts his military prowess and tactical experience to good use and single-handedly gives the law enforcers a run for their money, they look into his past and realize they messed with the wrong guy. With so many similarities between Reacher and Rebel Ridge, it would be fair to say the movie will resonate strongly with those who enjoyed the Amazon show.
Rebel Ridge’s Reacher Similarities Could Give Netflix A New Action Franchise
Reacher Has The Perfect Framework For Rebel Ridge To Follow
Since Reacher is adapting one Lee Child book per season, it already seems to have established the perfect framework. Like the books, every new installment of the show will unfold in a new town, where the titular character will get embroiled in a new set of crime-solving endeavors. If Rebel Ridge performs well on Netflix, the film could spawn more sequels that could follow Reacher‘s recipe by introducing a series of interconnected but self-contained stories with each new sequel.
…Rebel Ridge
is adopting several tried and tested storytelling tropes of the action genre, which have worked wonders for several movies and shows.
Or, the Rebel Ridge movies could take the John Wick route, where Terry Richmond’s actions in the first film could trigger a chain reaction of events that lead him to more dangerous conflict in each new installment. Regardless of its approach, Rebel Ridge is adopting several tried and tested storytelling tropes of the action genre, which have worked wonders for several movies and shows. This almost guarantees that, like Reacher, the Netflix film will perform well and potentially pave the way for a full-fledged franchise.
Rebel Ridge
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 , Don Johnson , AnnaSophia Robb , David Denman , Emory Cohen , Oscar Gale , Reid Williams , Steve Zissis
- Character(s)
- Terry Richmond , Chief Sandy Burnne , Summer McBride , Officer Evan Marston , Officer Steve Lann , Skinny Guard , Defendant , Elliot
- Runtime
- 131 Minutes
