Rebel Ridge (2024)

Terry is carrying a wad of cash intending to post bail for his cousin when small-town cops pull him over, harass him, and confiscate the cash -- assuring him that he's welcome to fight them in court. Since Terry is a black man, he's not surprised and remains as calm as possible for as long as possible. But when it's clear that no one's operating in good faith, he is forced to rely on his impressive combat skills to take back the power.

Though Aaron Pierre in the lead was compelling and the story makes quick work of getting us on his side, the plot doesn't have much depth to it. Terry's smart and we're handed plenty of opportunities to cheer and boo at his successes and setbacks respectively, but this goes on way longer than I think the police chief would've allowed. I think anyone with two brain cells would come to the quick conclusion that this is the wrong guy to mess with and walked away rather than continuing to posture.

C+