In his review for Netflix’sRebel Ridge,Stephen Kingcompared the action movie with Sylvester Stallone’sRambo. While it is understandable where his opinions about both films come from, it is hard not to notice how his review underscores thatRambohas often been misunderstood.Directed by Jeremy Saulnier,Rebel Ridgewas trapped in development hell for several years because of production delays. However, despite the setbacks, the film has finally hit the small screen and is being hailed by viewers and critics as one of the best offerings of the action genre in 2024.
Even beforeRebel Ridgelanded on Netflix, many could not help but notice its narrative similarities with the firstRambomovie,First Blood. Owing to this, when it finally premiered, viewers and critics further drew parallels and comparisons between the two. Since Stephen King usually stays up to date with movie and TV trends, he, too, watched the film and shared his insights on it. He also made a solid comparison betweenRebel RidgeandRambo, which seemingly forgets what theSylvester Stallone moviewas really like.
Stephen King’s Rebel Ridge Review: Why He Calls It The “Thinking Man’s Rambo”
Stephen King’s Refers To The Thematic Depth Behind Rebel Ridge’s Action & Drama
After quoting thatRebel Ridgeis one of Netflix’s best original movies, Stephen King called it “A thinking man’s RAMBO.” Given how the thought ofallRambomoviesconjures a mental image of Sylvester Stallone’s titular character mindlessly duking it out with enemy forces, it is understandable where Stephen King’s statement comes from. Compared toFirst Blood,Rebel Ridgeis also far less violent and more cerebral because its main character, Terry Richmond, uses the least amount of force against the police officers who harm.
AlthoughRambo, too, fights back only to defend himself from law enforcers, his journey gradually takes an extreme turn where violence becomes his primary means of survival. Terry Richmond, in contrast, settles for deescalation midway through the film even after realizing that the police officers were responsible for his cousin’s death. Owing to these differences between the two films, one can see eye-to-eye with what Stephen King is trying to imply in his review.
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However, callingRebel Ridge"a thinking man’s RAMBO" seems unfair. The Stallone film is far deeper than it gets credit for, and, as Stephen King’s review establishes, many have forgotten a crucial thematic element that drivesFirst Blood’s overarching story. While there is nothing about comparing the two films, one is simply not more thought-provoking than the other because both dabble with serious themes.
Stephen King’s Rebel Ridge Review Ignores What First Blood Was Like
First Blood Is Far From Being A Regular Action Popcorn Flick
SinceRebel Ridgebarely has a handful full of action sequences,First Bloodundoubtedly features more action set pieces and badass protagonist moments than the Jeremy Saulnier film. However,First Blood’s action, likeRebel Ridge’s, is always driven by a solid purpose. Both films open with scenes that highlight how veterans are often mistreated. While Terry gets rammed off-road by a police vehicle, and two officers seize his money via civil asset forfeiture, Rambo learns that his friend and teammate from war passed away from cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange.
TheRambomovies draw inspiration from the true story of an American soldier, Audie Murphy, who even played a version of himself in a movie adaptation of his book,To Hell and Back.
The police officers inRebel Ridgeundermine Terry’s well-being because they only care about fulfilling their own agenda and normalizing corruption. Sheriff Will Teasle targets Rambo because he looks down on the new generation of soldiers and fails to empathize with everything they have been through during the Vietnam War. Rambo and Teasle’s conflict escalates relatively faster, butthe villains in both films are also veterans who have been warped by their own experiences.
…the two films are not too different in terms of nuance and thematic depth, proving how King’s review missesFirst Blood’s commentary on trauma and police brutality.
Rebel Ridgehighlights Terry Richmond’s powerlessness against the law by showing how, despite being an incredibly skilled fighter, he has to be careful about not taking things too far with the police.First Bloodachieves the same by underscoring that even though Rambo does not want to resort to violence, his powerlessness against his PTSD forces him to take extreme measures when the police officers attack him. The Stallone movie certainly features more bloodshed and lethal weaponry.
The True Story Inspiration Behind Netflix’s Rebel Ridge
Netflix’s action thriller Rebel Ridge exposes a lesser-known real-life injustice as Terry fights to get his money back from corrupt local cops.
However, the two films are not too different in terms of nuance and thematic depth, proving how King’s review missesFirst Blood’s commentary on trauma and police brutality. This is perfectly captured in both movies' final arcs, where one empathizes with the two leading characters and fears what will happen to them. Terry Richmond’s future remains uncertain inRebel Ridge’s endingmoments even after he gathers evidence of Chief Sandy’s wrongdoings. Meanwhile, Rambo breaks down and surrenders,realizing how war veterans like him are not supported despite their sacrifices.
Rebel Ridge 2 Should Avoid Becoming More Like The Rambo Franchise
The Rebel Ridge Franchise Must Etch Its Own Identity
Given howRebel Ridgeetches its own identity in the genre instead of coming off as anotherRamborip-off, it seems likely that even its potential sequel will continue to carve its own unique space.First Blood’s sequels gradually dipped in quality because they seemingly forgot what made the first film emotionally stimulating and focused more on spectacle through action.Rebel Ridge2should avoid treading the same path and, asStephen Kingquoted,continue being a thinking man’s action movieinstead of conforming to the tried-and-tested tropes of the action genre.
Rebel Ridge
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.
