The Lost Alan Ritchson Western No One Can Watch

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Over the years, action star Alan Ritchson has made a significant transition, from ‘Rex’ to ‘Reacher’. It’s not unusual for actors to start their careers in low-budget films before achieving stardom, but Ritchson’s early work is hard to find. A nearly forgotten neo-western named ‘Rex‘ is one of his earliest roles. Today, it’s almost impossible to track down, rent, or stream this movie anywhere. In fact, its scarcity leaves us wondering if the film actually exists. If it does, it’s unlikely that fans of Ritchson will ever get a chance to watch it.

As Reacher Season 3 on Prime Video keeps being propelled to the top by Ritchson’s stellar performance, there’s an irresistible curiosity about the elusive movie, Rex. The focus now shifts towards uncovering whether such a film truly exists, what transpired with it, why accessing it proves challenging, and the part Ritchson plays in this enigma. Gathering all available information, let’s delve into the mysteries surrounding Rex and assess if its mysterious aura has impacted or boosted Ritchson’s career path.

What Is ‘Rex’ About?

The movie “Rex” is a neo-western action thriller penned and helmed by Christopher L. Miller. In this story, we follow Chase (played by Ritchson), a resident of Rex, Georgia, who finds himself compelled to protect his family’s farm from a malevolent small-town sheriff named Bobby (portrayed by Daniel Roebuck). Twenty years prior, Bobby had falsely accused Chase’s father of murder and now aims to seize their land.

In the story, Chase finds himself entangled in a passionate love affair with Dee, who happens to be Bobby’s girlfriend. Simultaneously, he attempts to keep Bobby and his Deputy Sheriff at bay. As if this love triangle isn’t complex enough, complications arise when Chase starts manufacturing methamphetamine in his own basement, making the situation volatile. This becomes even more dangerous when drug dealer Luca appears on the scene.

The situation becomes more complicated as Chase’s ailing, bedridden mother Leanne (Natalie Canerday), who requires his care during her final days, puts pressure on the family farm that remains at risk. In an attempt to protect themselves against Bobby and his followers, Rex seeks help from family friend Marcus Cotter (Duane Whitaker) to devise a self-defense strategy. Regrettably, Rex‘s plan never came to fruition.

What Happened to ‘Rex’?

Christopher L. Miller launched his first feature film, titled “Rex“, on a budget that’s thought to be around $100,000. This extremely low-budget production was filmed on location near Atlanta, Georgia, approximately 15 miles from Rex, Georgia (also known as Hollingsworth). Despite the fact that “Rex” failed to secure a distributor for either a wide or limited release, Miller persisted in directing low-budget projects, but with minimal success.

Although Miller achieved acclaim in the camera/electrical sector, he was unsuccessful in securing distribution for Rex in 2008. The film has been gathering dust on a shelf for almost 17 years since then. Even diehard Ritchson fans have struggled to find it, let alone watch the entire production. With Ritchson’s current star power burning brightly, many question whether Rex truly exists or will ever see the light of day again.

Does Rex Even Exist?

Alright, let me clarify – it’s evident that “Rex” is a genuine film that can be found stored away on a USB drive or similar place. There’s a promotional video for this movie, showcasing a young Ritchson going head-to-head with Roebuck’s menacing sheriff. The fact that it’s an indie, low-budget production is hinted at by the grainy and somewhat unclear trailer. Ritchson’s background in Florida seems to have contributed to his convincing portrayal of an American Southerner entangled in criminal matters. In the trailer for “Rex”, Ritchson’s athletic build and commanding presence are highlighted.

As a movie enthusiast, I can attest to the fact that the film titled “Rex” did not just make an impression through its trailer; it truly shone during its festival run from 2008-09. It won over audiences and judges alike, taking home the Audience Choice Award for Drama at the Long Island Film Festival. Additionally, Robin Anne Phipps, who played a remarkable role in the film, was honored with a Jury Prize for Best Breakout Performance. The accolades didn’t stop there for Phipps, as she also received the Spirit Award for Best Actress at the 2008 Queens Film Festival. To top it all off, Eric Rosenberg, who brought the character Luca to life on screen, was recognized as Best Actor at the same event.

Rex additionally bagged the Audience Award at the 2008 Staten Island Film Festival, an accolade that was collected by Miller and producer Sam Borowski. Contrary to being a work of fantasy, a commenter on Rex’s YouTube trailer remarked:

I was fortunate enough to catch this film at the Staten Island Film Festival, where it earned the audience’s favorite award. Kudos to the team behind it!

Given that Ritchson’s fame from ‘Reacher’ has made him a familiar name, should we consider unearthing Rex in 2025 to ride on his Hollywood wave? Or is it more prudent to keep Rex in its current resting place? After all, a comment from two years ago under the YouTube trailer suggests:

I absolutely adore Alan Ritchson, but there’s one of his movies I haven’t seen yet. Does anyone know where I might be able to watch it?

Being Unable To Watch ‘Rex’ Is a Positive

As a movie critic, I must confess that, while die-hard fans of Steve Ritchson might find enjoyment in watching the film “Rex“, it’s advisable to keep this production hidden from the general public. Although it has garnered awards at local film festivals, a quick glance at the trailer suggests a woefully low-budget effort with an exaggerated performance by Roebuck that borders on the absurd. This is a stark contrast to the compelling acting displayed by him in the classic “River’s Edge“, which remains a chilling masterpiece in my book.

It seems reasonable to conclude that, while Ritchson may shine in some aspects such as charisma and physical presence, his delivery of lines can appear surprisingly amateurish. This might suggest that his performance, showcased only in the trailer, may not hold up throughout the entire film runtime. Considering this is only his third movie, he might rather have “Rex” remain unseen, as it could bring more embarrassment than pride at this stage of his career.

Although you can’t watch, rent, or find Rex anywhere online nowadays, even though YouTubers are asking for the entire movie from someone who posted the trailer. Frankly, it’s probably a good thing because since 2008, Ritchson has significantly improved his acting skills and fans don’t need a harsh reminder of his low-budget beginnings. In 2025, however, Reacher, starring Ritchson, will sit on the action throne, just as King (Rex in Latin) does for Amazon.

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2025-04-06 05:03