Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Rebel Ridge – Netflix
4 being best.
Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) was riding a bike to Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin when he was hit by a police car. Officer Marston said that he had been following Terry for two miles trying to pull him over, but Terry had headphones on and had no idea. Officer Marston handcuffed Terry saying he fled, then searched his backpack and found $36,000 cash which was confiscated.
Terry explained he sold his vehicle because he needed to get $10,000 bail for his cousin to the courthouse by 5pm to and the rest was for them to start a new life together. Officer Marston said that he would let Terry off with a warning, but they would keep the cash, stating they concluded it was drug currency and Terry would have to appear in court to get it back. Terry explained it was legally obtained through the sale of his vehicle and cashing out his share in a restaurant.
Terry went to the courthouse to explain the situation to a public defender, who said he couldn’t help but the conversation was overheard by Summer (AnnaSophia Robb), a woman who worked in the courthouse. She took Terry to the local diner to explain what was happening and that he most likely would never get the money back. Terry explained that his cousin was a witness in a capital murder case and that if he was not bailed out and transferred, that his life was at risk.
Terry went to report the money stolen, but was met by Police Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) who told Terry he needed to leave. Terry felt his only option was to ask Chief Burnne to use $10,000 for his cousin’s bail and they could keep the rest. He agreed and told Terry to come back Monday to see his cousin. Terry showed, but Chief Burnne said he was late so Terry chased the transfer bus on his bike and told his cousin they were on to him and to seek protective custody.
Terry contacted his ex-business partner to loan him the $10,000 for the bail, but he said the police were searching his restaurant and took his safe. Terry went to ask Summer for help, but she was concerned about her job and asked him to leave, though met him outside saying she had found some cases similar to Terry’s cousin that didn’t seem right. Back at the station, Chief Burnne was investigating Terry’s background and learned he had been a Marine Corps martial arts specialist.
It was at that moment that Terry arrived at the police station and Chief Burnne met him outside, followed shortly by Officer Lann which both pulled guns on him. Terry quickly disarmed them both and grabbed Chief Burnne to make his way into the station. Inside he cuffed Chief Burnne and Officer Lann together, then asked Officer Sims (Zsané Jhé) to retrieve his money from the evidence locker, telling her to seperate $10,000 for the bail and left the rest to honor his deal.
Terry returned to the courthouse to post the bail and Summer tried to help when numerous police officers showed up to arrest him, with his hope of ending up where his cousin was held. Officer Marston put Terry in a police car and picked up Chief Burnne who explained to Terry that all the guns and cash he saw at the station was legal. He gave Terry his $26,000 back and explained that they were at a hospital where his cousin was being medivaced after being attacked.
Chief Burnne apologized telling Terry he bought his truck for him but he had to leave town permanently and unfortunately his cousin also passed away. Summer showed Terry proof of the chief’s corruption and helped him to leave town, but helping Terry would cost Summer in being drugged to frame her. She was able to call Terry who came back to rescue her, but his return would bring a world of trouble to both of them that only Terry’s special skills could resolve.
Runtime: 2h 11m
