The #1 Movie on Netflix Right Now Is an Underrated Thriller (& The Trailer Is Wild)

I'm not the biggest action thriller fan, but there are rare instances where I'll stumble upon a movie that genuinely piques my interest. Especially if it explores thought-provoking themes. Lucky for me, I found one of those exceptions—and it happens to be the most-watched movie on Netflix right now.

Allow me to introduce Rebel Ridge, which recently hit the streaming service. And while it's been just three days since its release, it has already soared to the number one spot on Netflix's top ten list, surpassing titles like Edge of Tomorrow and The Deliverance. The film revolves around Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre), who visits a small town on an urgent mission to post bail for his cousin. Unfortunately, his plan falls apart when he's confronted by a pair of officers who seize his life’s savings. Determined to bring justice to his family, he enlists the help of a court clerk (Anna Sophia Robb) and learns that it's all part of a deep-rooted conspiracy.

Critics are already raving about the film, which boasts a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and it features a talented cast. But by the looks of this trailer, it also tackles themes like institutional corruption and systemic racism, which makes it all the more fascinating.

As seen in the video, there's no shortage of wild car chases, intense stand-offs and bloody fight sequences—but there's more to it than the spectacle. In fact, as someone who has lived through real-life cases of Black men who were targeted by police (like Ahmaud Arbery or George Floyd), I can't help but think of this film as a reflection of reality.

Pierre told Entertainment Weekly, "Terry Richmond is a Black man experiencing the intensity and severity, and in this particular case, the injustice of civil asset forfeiture." But when it comes to how the main characters respond to this injustice, he adds, “It highlights our abilities as individuals to make a change. It highlights our ability as individuals to actively not be complicit and to make a choice."

Robb also addressed the power of being an ally while discussing her character. She told EW, “It takes place in a small town, but it really speaks to a larger audience. When you’re taking care of yourself, trying to put one foot in front of the other, and there’s a situation that comes along and you’re able to alter your course to do the right thing, that action will have a domino effect.”