The Rider

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The Rider

R

Released Apr 13, 2018

1h 44m

Drama

Western

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After a riding accident leaves him unable to compete on the rodeo circuit, a young cowboy searches for a new purpose.

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Critics Consensus

The Rider's hard-hitting drama is only made more effective through writer-director Chloé Zhao's use of untrained actors to tell the movie's fact-based tale.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

An extraordinary translation of life into art.

Mar 5, 2020

Full Review

Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Bold, heartfelt and, most importantly, unafraid, this is a remarkable film.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 5, 2019

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Sight & Sound

The Rider reshapes the traditional cowboy narrative in a way that both embraces and challenges western tropes.

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Populated by untrained actors and inspired by true events of these rookie performers, Zhao’s sophomore feature film stands on that determination only to slowly reveal the internal aches underneath the grizzled exteriors of hat brims, denim, and vices.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2025

Full Review

Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

The Rider is simply the most moving and authentic film I’ve seen in 2018, a reinterpretation of the term ‘docudrama”, and a seamless blend between fiction and nonfiction.

Jul 2, 2024

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

I love how Chloe Zhao makes this film almost feel like a bio-pic/documentary within this narrative structure, it’s as real as it could get and feels like something that is personal...

Apr 4, 2024

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Stephen D

A 'documentary' style of film (think Mike Leigh) using non-professional actors. It is not likely to engage anyone who is not interested in the 'working class' lives of rodeo riders, in this case one adjusting to serious injury in the ring.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

Full Review

Jim P

Y'know, life is like a Rodeo. You ride it, and it bucks you up, down, left, right. Then you fall off... Sometimes you gotta get back on. But if you're wise, it might be better to walk away...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

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Nicole H

This is one of my favorite films. It's so moving.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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Viviana G

Highly, very highly recommeded! Everything is superb, run to watch this fantastic film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

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Danilo P

It is truly a masterpiece, simple but profound.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

eric g

After a 3rd viewing, I can comfortably call this one of my favorite movies of all time. I put this movie into the "brutally realistic" movie alongside some of my all time favorites like Columbus, Shithouse, Sound of Metal and The Florida Project. The Rider might be the most tender and sincere movie I've ever watched. How badly it must hurt to face obstacles you can never overcome when the body breaks long before the mind does.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

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The Rider: Trailer 2

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The Rider: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After a riding accident leaves him unable to compete on the rodeo circuit, a young cowboy searches for a new purpose.

Director: Chloé Zhao
Producer: Mollye Asher, Sacha Ben Harroche, Bert Hamelinck, Chloé Zhao
Screenwriter: Chloé Zhao
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Highwayman Films, Caviar
Rating: R (Language and Drug Use)
Genre: Drama, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 13, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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