A new thriller featuring a former EastEnders star has debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect 100% rating.
Jericho Ridge marks Zack Morris’ first project since leaving the role of Keegan Butcher-Baker in the BBC soap.
The film follows Deputy Sheriff Tabby Temple (Nikki Amuka-Bird), who is left alone in a remote sheriff’s office one night as her colleagues go on patrol. She soon finds herself in a fight for survival when she is pitted against a violent drug cartel, after it becomes clear the department has been set up.
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Available on digital now, the film has been highly praised and currently sits at a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from seven reviews so far.
The Guardian‘s review said: “Jericho Ridge has nothing especially profound to say, but it’s an impressive calling card, and hopefully proved a shot in the arm for the Kosovan film industry if nothing else.”
Eye For Film commended director Will Gilbey, writing: “This may be Will Gilbey’s first feature as director, but his background as an editor means he knows how to construct an action sequence, and he delivers one great set piece after another.”
Common Sense Media called Amuka-Bird’s performance a “triumph from start to finish” and added that “the atmosphere is reminiscent of John Carpenter”.
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Zack – who plays Deputy Temple’s son Monty – confirmed his involvement in the project back in 2022, telling Digital Spy it is a “really cool job and a really cool film”.
“It’s a survival thriller and there’s a lot of action, a lot of grit, there’s all kinds of stuff thrown into one,” he said. “It’s based in America and it’s really cool. I flew out here 10 days after finishing EastEnders, so when I tell you I’ve barely had any time to sleep, I mean it. I never expected this though.
“Of course, when you leave any long-running show like EastEnders, you have to get back out there and audition, so I’ve been doing that for a long while and fortunately one of them came off. I am really proud and really happy about it.”
Michael Socha, Simon Kunz, and Olivia Chenery are also among the cast.
Jericho Ridge is available on digital now.
Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specialises in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
