I’m a fan of filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier, have been since 2013’s Blue Ruin. Nobody else films violent confrontations like him. It’s not the blood, but the way things happen suddenly and are a lot messier than you expect from watching movies. People are confused and often end up acting wild to defend themselves. From Blue Ruin, I went forward with Green Room (2015) and back with Murder Party (2007), but currently Rebel Ridge is the best introduction to his work. It also introduced the world to Aaron Pierre, making him an instant movie star after John Boyega dropped out. (There are conflicting details about that and Boyega would’ve been great, but he’ll be great in something else.)
The thriller also stars Don Johnson in what may be the best movie role he’s ever had. It’s easy to describe him as the villain, but the more you think about it, the more you find going on behind his little empire where he’s also scared and feeling backed into a situation he’s unable to bluster out of. The script is so well-constructed and the direction so effortless you assume it’s based on a book. Then you wonder why with so many films you can see them sweating to entertain while this gives the impression that making a Great movie can be effortless.
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