Terry Richmond, a former Marine with a strong sense of justice, arrives in the small town of Shelby Springs with a clear purpose. The character played by Aaron Pierre is the central figure in Netflix’s thriller film ‘Rebel Ridge,’ directed by Jeremy Saulnier. He travels to the eponymous town to bail out his cousin, Mike, only to face unexpected challenges from corrupt local police. The officers seize his bail money under false pretenses, setting Terry on a quest to navigate a deeply flawed and unjust system. As he attempts to free his cousin, he becomes entangled in the town’s widespread corruption. Terry’s journey reflects a struggle against systemic injustice, making him a relatable and compelling character despite his fictional nature.

Trivia/Facts

• Introduction to Terry Richmond: Terry Richmond is a former Marine who is the main character in Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge,’ a film created by Jeremy Saulnier. He arrives in a town called Rebel Ridge with the aim of bailing out his cousin, Mike. However, his plans hit a snag when police officers Evan Marston and Steve Lann stop him and seize his $36,000. Despite the money being legitimate, the officers use civil forfeiture to take it.
• The courthouse clerk, Elliot, refuses to assist Terry in getting his money back. Another employee, Summer McBride, offers to help by preparing the necessary paperwork if Terry can come up with $10,000 by Thursday. This is crucial because Mike is scheduled to transfer to state prison, where he will be in danger for cooperating with the authorities. Terry tries to report the stolen money to Officer Jessica Sims but is confronted by Lann and police chief Sandy Burnne.
• On Monday, Terry finds out that the bus transporting Mike has already left. He quickly catches up to the bus and advises Mike to stay safe until Terry can post bail. Terry attempts to contact his former business partner Liu for financial help, but Liu informs him that he can no longer send money due to a police raid. Returning to the station, Terry makes his offer again, but Burnne rejects it, leading Terry to use his combat skills to subdue Lann and Burnne.
• Terry manages to retrieve the bail money with Summer’s assistance but is then detained by the police. He is taken to the hospital by Marston and Burnne, where Burnne informs him that Mike was stabbed after his processing. To prevent Terry from pursuing further action, Burnne offers him the remaining $26,000, the truck, and a promise not to press charges if he leaves town. Terry accepts but soon learns from hospital staff that Mike has died.

Don Johnson and Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge (2024)

• That evening, Summer gives Terry a ride out of town, but he learns she has been drugged by the police. Terry decides to help her, leading to further complications as Summer faces a urine test that threatens her child custody. As Terry tries to leave town, Lann ambushes him, throwing a gun into his car and shooting him. Terry manages to escape and seeks medical help from Liu, a former medic.
• Terry and Summer uncover a corruption scheme involving the town’s judicial system. They discover that people are held for 90 days on minor charges to prevent them from obtaining public defenders and accessing dashcam footage. Terry and Summer break into the courthouse to retrieve the incriminating SD cards, but a fire starts as the police arrive. Summer is captured while trying to destroy her urine sample.
• Terry and Lann agree to a trade: Summer for the SD cards, at Rebel Ridge the next morning. Terry breaks into the police station, subdues Burnne, but is captured by Officer Sims. Lann destroys the cards and threatens Summer’s life, causing Marston to protest. Burnne orders Terry’s death, but Terry fights off the officers, including Lann.
• Marston advises Terry to activate the police cruiser’s siren to save the dashcam footage. He also helps Terry administer Narcan to Summer. Terry, with Marston and Summer, escapes in the cruiser, evading the police. Sims takes out Burnne’s vehicle, and they head to the hospital, where Marston and Summer are admitted.
• Inspiration Behind Terry Richmond: Terry Richmond’s character draws inspiration from real-life instances of civil asset forfeiture, a controversial legal practice. Jeremy Saulnier, the film’s writer and director, discovered that this practice is often abused by law enforcement to seize property without proper legal justification. The real-life examples of innocent people losing their assets due to such abuses influenced the creation of Terry’s story. Although Terry’s experiences are fictional, they reflect real-life injustices faced by many people.
• Character Development and Western Influence: Saulnier crafted Terry Richmond with elements reminiscent of classic Western heroes like those in ‘First Blood’ and Clint Eastwood’s The Man with No Name. While Saulnier initially didn’t intend to create a Western character, the influence became evident during the filming process. Terry’s bike, which serves as his primary mode of transport, symbolizes the traditional Western horse. This design choice helps to reinforce Terry’s lone warrior persona fighting against corruption.
• Mystery and Non-Confrontational Nature: Saulnier intentionally kept Terry’s past shrouded in mystery, revealing information about him primarily through interactions with other characters. Unlike the more confrontational John Rambo, Terry is portrayed as a non-confrontational individual who prefers non-lethal methods in his struggle. Saulnier also explored the dynamics of Terry as a military veteran experiencing combat on American soil for the first time. This choice aimed to ground Terry’s character in a more relatable and realistic setting.

Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge (2024)

Relationship with other characters in Rebel Ridge

• Mike Simmons: Terry’s cousin, whom he wants to bail out of jail. Terry’s main goal is to help Mike and give him a fresh start.
• Summer McBride: A courthouse worker who initially helps Terry with the bail paperwork. She becomes an important ally as they fight against corruption together.
• Elliot: The courthouse clerk who refuses to help Terry. His refusal adds to the obstacles Terry faces in trying to get his money back.
• Officer Jessica Sims: A police officer who Terry tries to report his stolen money to. Their interactions show the difficulties of dealing with corrupt law enforcement.
• Evan Marston: A police officer who initially detains Terry but later helps him. Their relationship changes from adversarial to cooperative.
• Steve Lann: A corrupt police officer who seizes Terry’s money and creates many of his problems. Terry and Lann have a confrontational relationship.
• Sandy Burnne: The police chief involved in the corruption. He makes things harder for Terry and causes many of his troubles.
• Liu: Terry’s former business partner who tries to help but is unable to due to a police raid. Liu’s inability to provide support adds to Terry’s challenges.