Rebel Ridgeis all about civil asset forfeiture, and the director has a lot to say about the controversial policy. Led by Aaron Pierre (Old), the movie follows a Marine who has his cousin’s bail money stolen by police officers under the guise of civil asset forfeiture.Rebel Ridgehas earned incredible reviews, which praise its relatable premise and its skilled performances. It was released on Netflix, where it remains available for streaming.
While speaking toNetflix, writer and director Jeremy Saulnier spoke out about the injustice of civil asset forfeiture. He confirmed thatthe policy is a real-world regulationthat has caused extreme injustice to actual people. He recognized that the policy could unify all viewers against it, and that is exactly why he decided to develop this movie. Check out his full response below:
It’s this insane loophole in anti-drug regulation that allows law enforcement to seize property from ordinary citizens without any proof of criminal activity. I thought it’d make a great premise for a movie because of how unifying it is —it pisseseveryoneoff.
What The Reality Of The Regulation Means For Rebel Ridge
Rebel Ridge Helps To Publicize The Existence Of Civil Asset Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture is a long-standing regulation that has been in place for hundreds of years. While the suspect typically commits no crime,police officers are free to confiscate their belongingsunder the suspicion that the belongings themselves are unlawful. It first took root with maritime policies, but it eventually grew to apply to regular civilians as well. In more recent years, relatively newly implemented drug laws have led to billions of dollars in seized assets.
That it is an actual policy only makes the movie more stunning for audiences.
As such,the policy is the entire basis forRebel Ridge’s existence. The idea of an innocent Marine having his cousin’s bail fund taken without committing any crime is an injustice that the movie takes pains to highlight. That it is an actual policy,though not a true story, only makes the movie more stunning. Its existence allows for a higher level of engagement, as viewers can stop to research the regulations during and after the movie’s run. The real world influence also adds to the stakes, as it could be something that happens to anyone watching the movie.
The reaction has been a near-universally positive reception among critics, as it earned a 95% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences have been less approving, affording a 70% score. Both sides have offered praise, even if not to the same extent, which speaks to the movie’s relatability.
Our Take On Rebel Ridge’s Realism
The Accuracy Makes The Movie More Compelling
Corruption is a constant trope in thriller movies, especially when it comes to action-packed adventures. Many thrillers feature vague conspiracies that involve characters breaking laws while scheming against innocents.Rebel Ridgetakes it a step further by featuring officers who are, by law, potentially doing nothing wrong. It makes its star’s journey feel somewhat hopeless, which only makes its stakes higher. Without the realistic horror of civil asset forfeiture, the movie might not work quite so well.
What MCMAP & PACE Mean In Rebel Ridge
Rebel Ridge presents several intriguing acronyms, like MCMAP & PACE, throughout its runtime, which hold immense significance in its overarching story.
Rebel Ridge
Cast
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.
