Netflix's new action thriller is out today – and has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

When you purchase through links in our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Longtime Netflix subscribers may have noticed a lack of standout original films of late. While titles like Hit Man and Baby Reindeer have generated plenty of buzz this year, few other releases have garnered the same attention. But Netflix's new action thriller Rebel Ridge looks set to be the next big hit on the streaming service.

With rave initial reactions and a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Rebel Ridge is set to deliver the kind of thrills audiences have been waiting for. In the film, Aaron Pierre plays Terry Richmond, a former Marine with exceptional martial arts and survival skills. When he encounters a ruthless police chief, he must put his impressive skills to the ultimate test. Critics have called this film a “knockout,” with some claiming Pierre will be the next “big action star.”

If these positive reviews have piqued your interest and you're looking for something new to watch on Netflix this week, be sure to add Rebel Ridge to your watchlist. Here's everything you need to know about this action thriller…

What is “Rebel Ridge” about?

Rebel Ridge is a tense action thriller that follows Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) as he comes to the small town of Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin. However, his plans are thwarted when the local police wrongfully confiscate his life savings. This act of corruption puts Terry on a collision course with the local police chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy in the town.

With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), Terry must navigate a deadly conflict to bring justice to his family and protect his new ally, while simultaneously uncovering his own mysterious past.

Reviews of “Rebel Ridge” – Critics love this Netflix film

“Rebel Ridge” earned 98% on Rotten tomatoes from 40 sample reviews (as of September 6). Of course, this rating could change as more people see the film, but having these positive reactions early on is a very good sign.

William Bibbiani of The Wrap said, “A film like Rebel Ridge reminds us that you can lose yourself in thrilling, engaging and thought-provoking entertainment while still keeping your brain busy.”

Brian Tallerico (Roger Ebert), meanwhile, was very impressed by the thriller's visual style: “Rebel Ridge is a reminder of how exciting it can be to watch a genre piece with this artistic level.”

Ultimately, though, the reviews are down to Pierre's incredible performance. Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth said, “Aaron Pierre is effortlessly cool, refusing to show any signs of dehumanization even when he's thrown into humiliating situations. He also has a simmering, intimidating IT factor that brings a thrilling catharsis to the climactic showdown.”

Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies put it simply: “Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond is one of my favorite performances of the year.”

Stream “Rebel Ridge” now on Netflix

By now, you've probably realized that Rebel Ridge is 100% worth watching. And you can experience this action thriller now that it's available on Netflix (6 September). I'm definitely excited to see this film on the world's most popular streaming service, especially given the high praise it's already receiving.

Our senior editor at Tom's Guide (AU), Stephen Lambrechts, even said Rebel Ridge is one of his most anticipated Netflix movies of 2024 (Rambo for the modern times).

Need more after Rebel Ridge? Check out this incredible war film, available to stream for free. Prime Video also just got one of the best action thrillers of all time if you're in the mood for a cool dystopian story.

Stream “Rebel Ridge” on Netflix Now.

BEST TV OFFER NOW

LG 48″ B4 Series 4K OLED TV: was $1,499, now $799 at Best Buy
SAVE $700! If you want to watch movies with the best picture quality at a great price, the LG B4 is currently available at a huge discount. This OLED TV supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and offers improved picture quality thanks to LG's A8 processor. You also get four HDMI 2.1 ports and a 120Hz refresh rate. The 48-inch model is available exclusively at Best Buy. View Deal

More from Tom's Guide