An extraordinary translation of life into art.

| Mar 5, 2020

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 5, 2019

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

| Dec 7, 2018

A hugely impressive slice of prairie naturalism.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 18, 2018

Working with non-professional actors from the Pine Ridge community, Zhao tells the fictionalised true story of bareback bronc rider Brady Blackburn.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 16, 2018

Jandreau proves a charismatic draw, even if some of the supporting non-actors struggle with naturalistic performances.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 14, 2018

A remarkable film in many respects, and Zhao works wonders with a non-professional cast.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 13, 2018

What is most startling here is the sensitivity with which [director Chloé] Zhao tackles such a downbeat tale.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 12, 2018

The Rider could easily have been pitying or patronising but it is suffused instead with warmth, understanding and insightful detail

| Sep 12, 2018

Not fiction; not documentary. Instead, a story standing under a chimerical moon while fate, laconic and inarticulate like its victims, growls from far off.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 12, 2018

A thoughtful and thought-provoking look at identity, aspiration and a precarious way of life, this is anchored by a stunning performance by Brady Jundreau and inspired direction by Chloé Zhao.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 10, 2018

There is minimalistic elegance to this film that couldn't help but blow me away.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 15, 2018

Brady, rarely raising his voice above a murmur, takes us on an emotional journey, figuring out his own way forward. The plains go on forever; so, we hope, does hope.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 11, 2018

My my, what a ride.

| Original Score: A- | May 18, 2018

Cinema that's challenging and offbeat is always in danger of being overlooked. But "The Rider" deserves to be seen.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 10, 2018

Jandreau, acting opposite his real-life family members and friends, disappears into a role largely based on his own experiences, oozing empathy from his pores.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Apr 27, 2018

You can almost feel the wind and smell the dust of the South Dakota plains, so deeply is Chlo Zhao's new film steeped in the reality of its environment.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 26, 2018

[Chloe] Zhao lyrically frames the characters within the shots, making them seem part of the landscape. Everything and everyone are natural parts of the images...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 26, 2018

It's just plain excellent.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Apr 26, 2018

You will want to be there, pulling for Brady, no matter what choices he makes. More importantly, you will care about those choices, and about him.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Apr 26, 2018