Jeremy Saulnier's latest thriller Rebel Ridge is a perfect blend of personal struggles, and engaging action scenes based in a small town. The film has arrived on Netflix and is being praised by viewers for the director's unique style of filmmaking.
Rebel Ridge follows the titular character Terry Richmond (played by Aaron Pierre) who constantly finds himself in a conflict with the police as the government officials make situations worse for him in Shelby Springs.
He's a man who tried hard not to be led by anger, and his constant struggles kept fans on the edge.
Apart from the thrilling plot, the filming locations of Rebel Ridge have also contributed to the visually compelling storyline, as it took almost two years from 2021 to 2023 for Saulnier's project to see the dawn of the day.
The filming of Rebel Ridge mainly took place in various locations in Louisiana, along with New Orleans, Leesville, Lacombe, and even some spots in Los Angeles, California. These locations helped the production team to build authenticity and maximum geographical diversity.
Exploring the filming locations of Jeremy Saulnier's Rebel Ridge
Without further delay, let's delve deep into the places used by the production team while filming:
1) New Orleans, Louisiana
If you've been wondering about the fictional town of Shelby Springs here is where your curiosity ends. The filming was extensively done in New Orleans, Louisiana, where most of the crucial parts of the film were captured.
While talking about the filming location, Pierre told Decider:
"We filmed in several locations within the state of Louisiana, all of which embraced us, and provided us with everything we needed."
The actor also spoke highly of the food, weather, and culture of New Orleans, further sharing that the director and writer Jeremy Saulnier even rented a warehouse where the actor was able to gain expertise in fight scenes.
The location's lively atmosphere and diverse architecture significantly contributed to the production of the film.
2) Leesville, Louisiana
The Shelby Springs Post Office that fans witnessed in the film, was actually the Senior Circle in Leesville which was transformed into the fictional town's post office to add depth and advance the plot.
The city's calm and appealing outlook was used while creating the illusion of a small town, making Leesville an important filming location.
3) Lacombe, Louisiana
The rural environment and filming of the forests and roads in Rebel Ridge took place in Lacombe, as the Census-designated place in Louisiana is known for its beautiful environment and appealing look.
The old buildings, its community, and scenic outlook made this location a prominent spot to capture various sequences of the thriller.
4) Los Angeles, California
While most of the filming of the town was wrapped up in Louisiana, some of the scenes were also shot in Los Angeles, California. There's absolutely no doubt that L.A. is the heart of the American industry which has been serving as a prominent location for most of the acclaimed films and TV series.
While exact details about the scenes filmed in Los Angeles remain untold, the city was reportedly utilized to capture the backdrops for Rebel Ridge.
What is the story of Aaron Pierre's Rebel Ridge?
There's a big reason why viewers are commending the plot of Pierre's film, and it goes beyond the acting skills or perfect representation of a thriller. Rebel Ridge hit Netflix on September 6, 2024, and impressively represents the corrupt system that many thrillers often try to avoid.
Pierre's Terry Richmod is a former marine who started working in a restaurant just to keep himself away from violence. He's trying to get his cousin Mike (played by C.J. LeBlanc) out of prison, but little does Terry know that he is about to discover the corrupt side of the police and other official workers.
According to Netflix Tudum, the director shared his interest in exploring corruption and said:
"I’m interested in examining corrupt systems — not so much how they’re built, but how they persist."
The finale of Rebel Ridge was undeniably intense as the protagonist almost died before Officer Marston rescued him on time. In the final battle, viewers will see engaging hand-to-hand combat which is one of the highlights of the film.
Rebel Ridge is available on Netflix.
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