‘Motor City’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Reveals Alan Ritchson’s Silent Action Gamble

Alan Ritchson has been establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most dependable action stars, primarily due to his role as Jack Reacher on Prime Video. Fans have seen him bulk up, engage in intense brawls, and showcase his brooding demeanor through numerous episodes, but a leading role in a feature film has eluded him until now. That changes with ‘Motor City,’ a gritty crime thriller that finally places him in the spotlight.

Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, the film is set in 1970s Detroit and follows John Miller, a working-class romantic portrayed by Ritchson, who is framed by a ruthless gangster after falling for the criminal’s girlfriend. After spending years in prison, Miller returns to seek revenge, with the story built around a unique gimmick that has sparked considerable discussion: the film features almost no spoken dialogue.

Critics have now weighed in, and the verdict is in. As of the latest update, ‘Motor City’ holds a 65% rating on the Tomatometer based on 54 reviews, a notably lower score compared to its festival run last year.

Initially, the film premiered to a warmer reception, debuting with scores in the high 70s after its screening at the Venice Spotlight section and later at the Toronto International Film Festival, where only a limited number of reviews were available. However, as more critics contributed their opinions leading up to its theatrical release, the score began to decline, first dipping into the mid-70s and then further as the review pool expanded.

The divide in opinions appears to stem from critics’ reactions to the film’s nearly silent approach. Some have embraced it as a bold stylistic choice, with one outlet praising the film as a nostalgic throwback that delivers the promised blood-soaked spectacle. Others, however, argue that the lack of dialogue sometimes undermines the emotional impact of the story.

‘Motor City’ also features a strong supporting cast that enhances its revenge narrative set in Detroit, including Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Lionel Boyce, Ben McKenzie, and Shailene Woodley, who plays the woman at the heart of Miller’s downfall. The soundtrack, curated by Jack White, has received acclaim, adding a rock and roll vibe that critics say helps maintain the film’s tone despite its minimal dialogue.

As the Tomatometer continues to fluctuate with the growing number of reviews, ‘Motor City’ seems poised to land in the mixed to positive range rather than achieving runaway critical acclaim. Whether this will dampen general audience interest or cultivate a passionate cult following will become clear once the film hits wider theaters.

Does a nearly silent performance from Alan Ritchson sound like a bold choice worth experiencing in theaters, or does ‘Motor City’ require more than an impressive soundtrack to win you over?