After an impressive breakout turn in Rebel Ridge, could Aaron Pierre become cinema’s next big action hero?
One of the most high-profile Netflix originals hit the streaming service earlier in September accompanied by excellent reviews and shot straight to the top of the streamer’s charts. There was a pretty firm consensus from critics and fans alike, who felt Aaron Pierre’s performance and presence were a real standout in Jeremy Saulnier’s latest film.
Right now cinema from big screen to the streaming specials, seems to favour tried and true veterans like Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves, alongside younger established action heroes like Chris Hemsworth and Glen “is in every film” Powell. It would seem to be the case that when a film becomes a financially all-consuming success these days, it’s most likely to be a genre film and predominantly action or horror. A pre-existing IP usually helps, but it is often a ball and chain that hampers the chances of a film’s success (as generally they’re churned out as little more than disposable content). In reality, when people tune in or turn up to watch an action film, they need a hero worth rooting for and that requires an actor capable of being physically believable, having presence and, whilst it was never a pre-requisite among some 80s action men, acting chops is a bonus.
Step forward Mr. Aaron Pierre who hasn’t exactly come out of the blue but his previous more high-profile roles came in films that didn’t quite hit the wider mainstream quite like Rebel Ridge. Excellent in Clement Virgo’s engrossing drama, Brother, Aaron Pierre’s sizeable physical presence (standing at around 6’3) was countered with enigmatic depth and a quiet sensitivity. Not necessarily screaming an immediate jump to action despite the clear man-hours spent in the gym. As it transpired, his casting in Rebel Ridge came very late after John Boyega dropped out (allegedly twice in fact). Fate in cinema can often result in a replacement coming in and smashing a part so well you can’t quite imagine how the original would have come close to it (Fox for Stoltz, Plummer for Spacey, Travolta for Madsen to name a few).
Luckily for Pierre, another in a line of fine British exports sailing straight into American mainstream cinema, he could benefit from the Auteur’s gaze of Saulnier who has already shown a great talent for drawing impressive performances from his casts. The film wastes no time setting up the story, with Pierre’s Richmond (a man with a particular set of skills) knocked from his bicycle by a patrolman whilst zoning out to Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden (always a good way to grab this Irons fan by putting them on the soundtrack). After being questioned and searched the cops retrieve a bag of cash from Richmond, intended to bail out his cousin with no real prospects of him ever likely to see the cash again. As he tries to exercise restraint and use the legal channels to retrieve it, tensions increasingly simmer with the local PD, headed by Don Johnson (in top form).
Rebel Ridge isn’t an all-out action extravaganza, more a considered and occasionally nuanced thriller with standout blasts of action as Richmond always opts for de-escalation over carnage, in a film where, unlike most actioners, none of the “bad guys” meet a grisly end. In truth, the film is almost great but for a slightly sagging middle third and ultimately a run time that should have been clipped under two hours rather than sprawling comfortably over. Still, Pierre is never less than compelling. It might even be a disservice to say he could be pigeon-holed into the action genre as the brooding charisma and range might well bely that. He’s absolutely got the range to dance between genres, but for him to star in more compelling indie work like Brother, having some credit in the bank from starring in successful mainstream stuff (likely to be mostly action) would certainly help.
Like Brit ass kickers before him such as Jason Statham and Scott Adkins, Pierre is blessed with the physique to be believable as the next Wick-esque hero who might take out the trash (with more acting range than the aforementioned). In fairness, the continuing misadventures of Terry Richmond also wouldn’t go amiss given the character’s unquestionable parallels with Jack Reacher. Many fans have also pitched the idea of Pierre as Spawn in the forever-in-development reboot. It’s not even simply the physique he possesses either but a prowess to perform adeptly in the film’s action sequences. He balances power with agility and a semblance of grace that is captured in the right direction and great work from the camera op. So yeah, this guy can kick butt.
Pierre’s next major role is voicing Mufasa in the upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. What comes next in front of the camera as far as feature films is still to be confirmed but the overwhelmingly positive response to his performance in Rebel Ridge will stand him in good stead. The hope is he won’t get funnelled into just becoming a new stalwart in comic book films with two-dimensional roles, but will hopefully get some interesting and dare I even say, original roles in films not reliant on pre-existing IP.
If there was one major reason to bemoan Rebel Ridge at all, one which was unfortunate given the gravitas Pierre displayed, it’s that the film went straight to streaming and wasn’t given the big screen release it deserved. Whether that impact on streaming might have translated to impressive box office numbers is difficult to say but a simultaneous day and date release would at least have given cinephiles and big-screen lovers the option to see the film in the best possible way.
What did you think of Rebel Ridge? Is Aaron Pierre the next big action star? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Tom Jolliffe
Originally published September 29, 2024. Updated April 17, 2025.
