In Jeremy Saulnier's action-thriller Rebel Ridge, Aaron Pierre portrays Terry Richmond, an ex-marine who finds himself at odds with local law enforcement in the fictional small town of Shelby Springs.

This expression gets thrown around a lot, but Aaron Pierre’s performance in Rebel Ridge was a revelation. The actor’s work not only made Jeremy Saulnier’s latest thriller one of the best movies on Netflix in recent memory,

Aaron Pierre is a star in the making, and Jeremy Saulnier's new Netflix thriller, “Rebel Ridge," shows you why

Saulnier, the writer-director of “Green Room” and “Blue Ruin,” is one of the most gifted genre craftsmen in Hollywood. “Rebel Ridge” is his first film in seven years, but it’s a reminder of his prowess in lending thrillers earthy authenticity and rich atmosphere.

Standing 6’ 3’’ without an ounce of fat on his enormous frame, Aaron Pierre (Foe, The Underground Railroad) is a ferociously imposing presence in Rebel Ridge. That’s augmented by the calmness and politeness with which his character confronts his enemies.

Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge is, hands down, one of the best movies on Netflix thanks to its take on the classic revenge story premise, a star-making performance by lead Aaron Pierre, and the director’s knack for building tension.

Although Rebel Ridge seems to have a fairly well-rounded story that ends on a conclusive note, the Jeremy Saulnier film sets up a sequel in 6 ways.