Alan Ritchson has become a bona fide action star thanks in large part to his starring role in the Prime Video series Reacher. However, he has been missing a signature, leading man role on the big screen.
While he’s had memorable supporting roles in big movies like Fast X and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, as well as being a standout in the fan-favorite TV series Blue Mountain State, Ritchson has that leading man opportunity with a new crime thriller. All without saying a word.
After screening at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, Ritchson’s Motor City has earned a solid batch of initial reviews. As of this writing, Motor City has a 77% Rotten Tomatoes score. That number is likely to change as more come in, but it’s a good jumping off point.
What Have Critics Said About Motor City
Motor City stars Ritchson as a man framed for a crime, losing everything as he’s sent off to prison. Once released, he sets about delivering his own kind of justice to the gangsters that set him up. Joining Ritchson in the Potsy Ponciroli-directed movie are Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Amar Chadha-Patel, Ben McKenzie, Lionel Boyce, Pablo Schreiber, and Rafael Cebrian.
The key sticking point for many of the critics is whether the no-dialogue gimmick and actions scenes are enough; the majority are saying yes. Ritchson also receives a number of shout-outs for his performance. While the reviews aren’t over the moon, they are positive enough that Motor City should be on the radar for fans of the action and crime genres.
What Motor City Rotten Tomatoes Score Means For The Movie
Ritchson’s involvement alone may have done that already, as the actor has become a recognizable draw. Add on the premise that the movie is told with no audible dialogue until the very end, as well as Ritchson teasing the movie’s extreme brutality, and there’s a good bit of built-in intrigue.
Perhaps that will translate to Motor City receiving a general release sooner rather than later. As of writing, there is no release date attached to the movie following its film festival run. A solid Rotten Tomatoes score and any subsequent word of mouth could be the kick needed to bring the movie to audiences in the near future.
A number of these non-traditional, non-studio action movies have been making waves in the last couple of years. Josh Hartnett’s Fight or Flight came out of left field but got people’s attention. As did another silent protagonist back in 2023, when Sisu came out, earning good reviews and becoming a favorite of audiences. Motor City could be next.
