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The Rider

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for The Rider R 2018 1h 44m Drama Western Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer 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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The Rider

The Rider

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/05/2020
An extraordinary translation of life into art. Go to Full Review Linda Marric HeyUGuys 06/05/2019
4/5
Bold, heartfelt and, most importantly, unafraid, this is a remarkable film. Go to Full Review Nikki Baughan Sight & Sound 12/07/2018
The Rider reshapes the traditional cowboy narrative in a way that both embraces and challenges western tropes. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 28
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film 07/02/2024
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. Go to Full Review Ryan McQuade InSession Film 04/04/2024
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... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen D @sjhdearden May 24 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. See more Jim P Mar 30 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... See more Nicole H Mar 24 This is one of my favorite films. It's so moving. See more Viviana G Feb 22 Highly, very highly recommeded! Everything is superb, run to watch this fantastic film. See more Danilo P Feb 12 It is truly a masterpiece, simple but profound. See more eric g 09/01/2024 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. See more Read all reviews
The Rider

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Chloé Zhao

Director

Brady Jandreau

Brady Blackburn

Tim Jandreau

Wayne Blackburn

Lilly Jandreau

Lilly Blackburn

Lane Scott

Self

Cat Clifford

Self

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The Rider

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The Rider

The Rider (2017) The Rider (2017) The Rider (2017) A scene from "The Rider." A scene from "The Rider." A scene from "The Rider." A scene from "The Rider." A scene from "The Rider." View more photos

Movie Info

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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