As a film enthusiast who appreciates both the art and the grit that goes into bringing stories to life, I can’t help but be captivated by the journey of this talented actress. Her dedication to her craft, as shown in shaving her head for roles, mirrors the relentless pursuit of justice portrayed in “Rebel Ridge.
[This story contains spoilers for Rebel Ridge.]
Actress AnnaSophia Robb from Rebel Ridge knows full well that nobody could craft a fairy tale conclusion for the backstage tale of Jeremy Saulnier’s newest critically praised movie.
The suspenseful movie, filmed over several stages before its completion in 2022, has been dominating Netflix’s top ten and numerous other streaming service charts for the past two and a half weeks since its release. This film follows Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond and Robb as Summer McBride as they bravely attempt to dismantle a corrupt police department in a small Louisiana town, putting their lives on the line in the process.
Following the halt of the movie’s planned production due to the pandemic in 2020, Robb joined the cast before the spring shoot of 2021, stepping into the role previously held by another actor. Just a month into filming, John Boyega unexpectedly departed from the project due to personal matters, leaving the mid-budget film in a delicate state. Luckily for Robb, she didn’t have to worry much about whether she was up to the task of delivering one of her best performances yet, given that this role is now widely regarded as exceptional.
Robb shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he spent approximately a month in Louisiana and was in limbo, waiting to learn what would transpire. Once the wait ended and everything became clear, he knew he’d return the following year. Consequently, the project started, paused, and then resumed again. In total, Robb was there for around two months, with the work continuing at the same time in 2022.
When the Colorado native uses the phrase “figured out,” she’s talking about Pierre transforming into Terry Richmond. He joined the team not long after the second shutdown, but they didn’t get to share their story until the spring of 2022. Given that there were two previous obstacles in place, there was a lot of tension as everyone resumed work on set in 2022.
Robb stated that there was a general consensus about producing the movie, which soon became clear that it was indeed happening and was the correct narrative to share from the start. He likened this period leading up to 2021 as an extended rehearsal process.
Robb is determined to become a lawyer while simultaneously fighting to reclaim custody of her child after serving time for a felony. Sadly, Summer’s struggle with prescription drug abuse led her to pawn her ex-father-in-law’s lawnmower without success, ultimately leading to her divorce and loss of custody. Now, she risks losing everything once more by assisting Richmond in uncovering the corrupt civil asset forfeiture practices within the Shelby Springs Police Department.
However, a part of Summer’s past was left out of the movie, which would have shed light on the origin of her addiction.
Robb mentions that Summer’s past involves battling cancer and becoming dependent on painkiller lollipops. Unfortunately, there aren’t many resources available to help people wean off these drugs, so she eventually resorted to acquiring them illegally before selling her father-in-law’s ride-on mower. This part of the story is not shown in the movie, but Robb was aware of it and conducted thorough research.
In a more recent discussion with THR, Robb talks about which moments from the shortened 2021 shooting that ultimately found their way into the movie’s final edit.
It’s quite interesting to observe that Joey King is actively promoting Rebel Ridge. It’s even more exciting to notice that both of her latest films are currently leading on Netflix’s charts simultaneously.
It’s fantastic! One of my dearest friends, Joey, was featured on the Netflix billboard alongside me. The moment felt extraordinary, like, “Yippee! What a unique experience!” Such instances don’t happen often, and I stood there, marveling at it for a bit, thinking, “Wow, this is truly exceptional. I’m so proud of her.” This field certainly has its perks.
Previously, I had a discussion with Jeremy Saulnier about the production issues Rebel Ridge faced. Despite these challenges, things have remarkably turned out for the better. You joined during the second phase of filming, which was halted midway through 2021 after a month or so. During that waiting period, were you anxiously wondering about the movie’s destiny?
For approximately a month, we stayed put in Louisiana, caught in a holding pattern as we tried to determine our next move. After this waiting period ended and all matters were settled, I became certain that I would return the following year. Consequently, we began and then took a break, with my total stay there amounting to around two months. We resumed our activities at the same time in 2022.
Did you and Aaron start reading together over Zoom once Aaron became part of the cast, seeing as Terry and Summer make a great team?
I didn’t have any prior involvement with Aaron before, but Jeremy informed me about him, and I was already acquainted with his work from “The Underground Railroad”. Additionally, my acting coach, Miranda Harcourt, who had collaborated with him on “Foe”, shared that he was truly wonderful. This made me eager to collaborate with him myself. Upon meeting Aaron, there was a palpable sense of tranquility. I could tell instantly that he was more than capable of tackling this role. He approached it with a profound understanding, appreciating the nuances of Terry’s character. What makes this film unique is that it combines elements of thriller and action genres, but as Aaron frequently emphasizes, it revolves around an action hero who possesses a high level of emotional intelligence.
What originally piqued your interest?
What initially attracted me to this venture was the captivating dialogue. Upon receiving the audition script, I recognized Jeremy Saulnier’s name and couldn’t help but think, “This is awesome! I adore his work.” As I delved into the scripts, I found myself eager to dive in and recite the lines, rehearse, because crafting a fantastic, flavorful scene is quite challenging. There’s so much depth and character development that occurs within a single scene; it’s rich material, yet the characters remain relatable and authentic. Thus, reading the script was enjoyable, performing was satisfying, and watching my fellow actors deliver their lines was rewarding too.
When you came back in the spring of 2022, did you notice an initial tension among everyone since the film production had previously failed twice?
Absolutely, there was consensus among everyone involved: “Shall we produce this film?” It didn’t take long to realize that indeed we would, and that this particular narrative was the one that should be shared from the start. With that decision made, everyone dived headfirst into the project, making it a genuinely enjoyable experience. For me, it felt like I had an extended rehearsal period [starting in 2021]. When I returned to set, I could confidently say, “Now I’ve got this figured out.
Working on a film set is quite intriguing. This production, in particular, was exceptionally challenging as we filmed in Louisiana during hurricane season. The heat was intense, the workdays were lengthy, and there were numerous takes, but there was an overwhelming passion for this tale among the cast and crew. Many members of our team joined us multiple times from 2020 to 2022, drawn by their desire to contribute. Despite the long hours, they were always eager to be involved.
In your words, Aaron had garnered attention in backing roles, like those in Old and The Underground Railroad. Yet, he remained largely unrecognized by many. Did the cast and crew buzz with excitement after witnessing his early work? Standing opposite him during his “afterlife” scene certainly took you aback, didn’t it?
I recall vividly the moment you’re referring to, and it holds a special place in my heart. During the Chinese restaurant sequence, one of our seasoned cameramen approached Aaron and me, expressing his excitement to be part of it. This sense of enthusiasm from the crew members was palpable, demonstrating their dedication to this story.
As far as you’re aware, was any of the footage from round two that was shot in 2021 included in the final version, which primarily features clips from 2022?
Indeed, some scenes I filmed with James Cromwell in 2021 ended up being included in the final edit. We shot scenes at his office and the school, and I must commend Jennifer Serio, our head of hair department, for flawlessly replicating my hairstyle from 2021 in 2022. If you observe the back of my head in two different shots, they were taken a year apart, and she managed to make them look as if they were filmed on the same day.
Being an actor, I understand that it’s part of the job to deal with ups and downs. But if I had to walk away from a project for any reason and the end result was fantastic, I would find it unbearably hard to accept. It just so happens that things went well for you in this instance, but does the nature of our profession demand constant readiness for both good and bad outcomes? The financial aspects, actor commitments, and scheduling are all so precarious.
In simpler terms, during a film project, everyone contributes their best efforts, and it’s the director’s role to combine these contributions into a cohesive whole. In this case, Jeremy excelled at this task by having a clear vision for the film and setting everyone up for success. As an actor, I could see that he was dedicated to making the movie the best it could be. I’m incredibly proud of the final product and grateful to Jeremy for telling his unique story in such an impressive way.
Why might Summer be willing to assist Terry with his child custody issue, considering the potential risks involved for her? Could it be that she’s empathetic due to her own experiences with systemic injustice and wants to offer support? This is a question he also poses to her.
Absolutely, Summer embodies a sense of compassion and integrity for me. Despite her own struggles with getting her life back together, she always finds room to help those in need. When she encounters someone facing hardships, she empathizes, knowing well the pain of injustice and the value of a second chance. This compassion sometimes leads her to make difficult choices, often questioning whether to do the right thing or turn away. What I admire most about Summer is her unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, a choice that has become a guiding principle for me even today. If you decide to stand up for what is right and be an ally, it can be a risky path, but Summer takes it without hesitation. By the time we reach the Chinese restaurant scene, she’s already committed to this virtuous journey, with only two options left: either retreat or dig deeper to uncover the truth and defend herself and Terry effectively. With Terry by her side, she’s taking a calculated risk at that point.
Given that Jeremy is meticulous about research, it’s likely that the heroin injections scenes portrayed accurately reflect what might have occurred in real life.
Jeremy placed an immense amount of faith in me during that situation. I was exposed to a significant amount of extremely troubling videos, which has brought me closer to understanding the opioid crisis. The background story for Summer is that she developed cancer and became addicted to painkiller lollipops. Unfortunately, there are few resources available to help individuals wean themselves off painkillers, so she eventually resorted to obtaining drugs illegally before selling her father-in-law’s lawnmower. This entire backstory isn’t depicted in the film, but I researched extensively and was aware of it. I watched various documentaries exploring the physiological effects of opioids and personal accounts from users, which is heartbreakingly real. In an effort to make the movie as authentic as possible and to portray Summer’s genuine struggle, I aimed to capture that same raw emotion on camera.
Initially, when I laid eyes on her unique hairstyle, it seemed like a typical Southern style to me. But after learning about her courageous fight against cancer, I can see now that she’s emerged victorious from her chemotherapy journey.
Indeed, I was part of Mary Harron’s directed series titled “The Expecting,” which required me to shave my head. When it came to taping for “Rebel Ridge”, I was already bald. This apparently impressed Jeremy, who requested that I shave my head once more. However, I pointed out that in the South, people wouldn’t have a shaved head; they would stand out. So we opted for a mom haircut that blends better, although it was suggested that her character had undergone chemotherapy.
It’s now clearer why you and Joey King are friends. You both had the shared experience of shaving your heads for your respective roles.
I chuckled as I shared with Joey that I was considering shaving my head. I asked her if she thought I should, since she had suggested it before on a few occasions. To my delight, she replied affirmatively!
I love the final scene so much because most heroes would get their friend to the hospital and then rest easy. But Terry’s mistrust of the system runs so deep that he doesn’t take any chances. He immediately finds the nearest ax to remove the cop’s harddrive from the trunk, and then he holds on to it for dear life.
Absolutely, he completes the task at hand. Reading the script brought me a sense of fulfillment as he obtains crucial information, but what’s truly impactful is that it’s a victory amidst great loss and destruction. Aaron delivers an exceptional performance in conveying Terry’s uncertainty about his own safety. He still needs to fight for his cousin’s cause. David Gallego, our talented cinematographer, does a marvelous job with the tracking shot. It was delightful watching Jeremy and David work together to discover those captivating images, and I believe that’s one Steadicam shot we practiced. There remains an undercurrent of pulsating energy and tension. Everything continues to move, giving the impression it could lead somewhere else. Terry is pausing for a moment, then he will undoubtedly take action to bring about change and seek justice.
As a gamer, I’ve been flooded with reactions to my latest Letterboxd tale about Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love and my first pack of smokes. I can’t help but wonder if Aaron eventually decided to give Letterboxd a try after hearing my enthusiastic pitch.
I’ll send him a message, yet I feel he might do it already. Boy, I adore Letterboxd! If only they incorporated television shows too, it would be perfect. I understand the debate, but there’s so much quality content and I yearn for a single platform to access it all.
Yeah, they make exceptions for the “8 to 10-hour movie,” but I agree with you overall.
Indeed, their offerings are somewhat restricted. Now, understanding that some folks might not agree with me, but let’s remember it’s the year 2024. It’s time for us to adapt to the media we have available. (
Finally, which day would you associate most strongly with Rebel Ridge in your mind? Which day do you imagine yourself reminiscing about, years down the line?
Stepping onto set for the first time with Aaron was like stepping into a new world, albeit one where I had filmed some scenes before – a dimly-lit court hallway late at night. It was a working courthouse, so our filming took place in the evenings, and there’s an eerie tranquility that comes with shooting after dark. The crew was fully focused, eager, and it was electrifying to witness such dedication.
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Rebel Ridge is now available on Netflix.
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2024-09-25 02:56