Jeremy Saulnierhas proven to be one of the most exciting filmmakers to emerge within the last decade, as he has consistently provided the sorts of genre films that Hollywood studios don’t seem interested in making anymore. There once was an era in which intelligent thrillers, gnarly horror films, and brutal action flicks could do responsibly well at the box office, even if they came at a fraction of the price of the standard blockbuster films that Hollywood often relies upon. While the last few decades have seenan inordinately high amount of superhero filmsand other projects based on previously existing intellectual property, Saulnier has refreshingly built a brand that is entirely dependent on original material.
Saulnier’s films don’t pull any punches, as he has managed to incorporate some truly shocking moments of violence and depravity within each of his films. However, Saulnier also isn’t interested in making B-movies that are only intended to entertain their viewers on a superficial level; his work thus far has delved into critical themes such as race relations, the class divide,and the inherently predatory nature of capitalism.While he briefly stepped into the prestige television world to direct several episodes of the acclaimed HBO drama seriesTrue Detective, cinema will truly be in a better place if Saulnier continues to make films. Here is every Jeremy Saulnier movie, ranked.
5‘Murder Party’ (2017)
Starring Macon Blair and Chris Sharp
Murder Partyis pretty accomplished as a first feature,as it only really suffers in comparison to the films that Saulnier would make once his skills became a little bit more finely tuned. His breakthrough first feature starred breakout actorChris Sharpas a maninvited to a murder mystery party,only to discover that he is the one expected to be killed. While the inversion of the typical “whodunit” premise makes for a fun homage to noir films,Murder Partyalso includes enough graphic dismemberment and shocking moments of torture to land it squarely within the horror genre.
Murder Partydoes a fairly good job at balancing the gore with the dark humor, as Saulnier has a great knack for writing dialogue that often does not earn him enough credit; notably, his films rarely include extended moments of exposition that feel like they are talking down to the viewer, as Saulnier clearly has enough respect for the audience to let them draw their own conclusions about what is going on. With all that being said,Murder Partyis a little too short to leave a real impression, and essentially serves as a highlight reel for what Saulnier would be able to accomplish with his subsequent work.
Murder Party
A man’s decision to attend a Halloween party based on a random invitation leads him into a dangerous encounter with a group of eccentric individuals. The unexpected gathering quickly devolves into chaos, as the attendees' sinister intentions unfold, resulting in a night filled with misadventure and dark comedy.
Watch on Tubi
4‘Hold the Dark’ (2018)
Starring Jeffrey Wright and Riley Keough
Hold the Darkwas the first project that Saulnier made with Netflix, and does suffer as a result of some of the recurring issues that the streamer has had with its original properties.Hold the Darkis uncompromising, bleakand so unconcerned with appearing mainstream audiences that at times it feels as if Saulnier is tempting the viewers with how uncomfortable he is able to make the material. It’s certainly a very well shot film with some unspeakably tense sequences, but Saulnier’s resistance to giving any real warmth to any of the characters does make it less engaging on an emotional level than some of his later work. A confusing narrative structure also makesHold the Darka little more haphazard than it necessarily needed to be, as a more streamlined revenge storyline may have been more effective.
Any gaps thatHold the Darkhas in its cohesion are made up by its performances, asJeffrey Wrightdelivers an incredible performance as a rogue vigilante sent on a desperate mission to return a young boy to his mother (Riley Keough). Equally compelling isAlexander Skarsgård, who sheds any ounce of his inherent charisma to play a grizzled soldier with an abusive perspective towards his family.Hold the Darkisn’t going to be for everyone, but for those interested in prolonged instances of suspense and some interesting commentary on Bush-era politics, it is the real deal.
Hold the Dark
After the deaths of three children suspected to be killed by wolves, writer Russell Core is hired by the mother of a missing six-year-old boy to track down and locate her son in the Alaskan wilderness.
Watch on Netflix
3‘Blue Ruin’ (2013)
Starring Macon Blair and Devin Ratray
Blue Ruinwas a passion project for Saulnier, who helped to finance the film through a kickstarter with his best friendMacon Blair, who also starred in the film. To callBlue Ruina revenge thriller is in some ways a disservice, as it couldn’t be any more different than action-packed thrillers likeJohn WickorKill Bill. Rather,Blue Ruinis a chilling examination of how the cyclical nature of violence never leaves anyone satisfied. Blair, who has always been an underrated actor worthy of receiving more substantial roles, gives what is without a doubt the best performance of his career as a disheveled homeless man desperate to earn revenge on the man responsible for killing his family.
Visceral doesn’t even begin to describeBlue Ruin, as Saulnier does an amazing job at exploring the horrific process in which an average person tries to unleash their dark side, often leading to disastrous results. Blair does a great job at inverting what a traditional vigilante looks like in a revenge thriller, as it has a lack of confidence and uncertainty on the actions that he is taking that makes the performance so stark and terrifying.Blue Ruinis beautifully inconclusive, allowing Saulnier to leave his audience up to make their own conclusions on what would logically happen next in the chronology of the story. Although it doesn’t quite have the same political and social foresight that some of his next few films would perfect, Saulnier’s work onBlue Ruinproved just how much he could accomplish on a limited budget, indicating that any further expenses spent on his work would be put to good use.
2‘Rebel Ridge’ (2023)
Starring Aaron Pierre and Don Johnson
Rebel Ridgeis a rousing examination of police brutality and race relations in the United States, andhas much more in common with the conspiracy thrillersof the 1970s than it does with most of the forgettable action films that Netflix releases on a yearly basis. While it is unfortunate that the streamer did not move forward with a theatrical rollout forRebel Ridge, as there are more than a few brilliantly staged setpieces that would have looked terrific on a big screen, there’s a value in letting as many people seeRebel Ridgeas possible. While the film more than does enough to satisfy those looking for genre thrillers, it’s also a work of activism;Rebel Ridgeshines a spotlight on the legal loopholes that allows for police officers to seize cash suspected of being involved in crimes, and examines how the justice system essentially allows for these issues to be caught up in courtroom procedures without anyone ever being held responsible.
By far the most impressive aspect ofRebel Ridgeis the incredible performance by Aaron Pierre, who stars as a former veteran who is determined to set his brother free from prison, which puts him into a bitter conflict with a racist police captain (Don Johnsonin a magnificently evil role). Pierre’s physical presence is overwhelming, but he also plays a more sensitive character who even breaks down and cries in one scene.Rebel Ridgeditches the gunplay for creative action scenes involving hand-to-hand combat and different forms of weaponry. While it spent several years in development and production (as the original starJohn Boyegadropped out in the midst of shooting),Rebel Ridgeproved to be an instant classic that was well worth the wait.
Rebel Ridge
In Rebel Ridge, a man with a mysterious past embarks on a mission to seek justice against those who wronged him. Set in a small town, the film explores themes of vengeance and redemption, as the protagonist navigates a dangerous path that tests his resolve and challenges the status quo.
1‘Green Room’ (2016)
Starring Anton Yelchin and Patrick Stewart
Green Roomis one of the best thrillers of the 2010s, even if the sheer amount of suspense and violence may land it in the horror genre by some estimations. With another great premise that essentially takes place “in the middle of nowhere,”Green Roomcenters on a group of punk rockers who find themselves trapped in a bar filled with neo-Nazi skinheads after they bear witness to a murder.Green Roomis nauseating because it’s one of the few horror films in recent years that truly sells the idea of isolation; Saulnier makes it abundantly clear that there is no help to be found, and that the fight for survival will come down to which side is able to outmaneuver the other and get away.
Green Roomfeatures some of the best acting in any of Saulnier’s films, with the late greatAnton Yelchingiving a career best performance as the punk leader who desperately tries to lead his bandmates to safety. However,the film’s scene stealer is certainlyPatrick Stewart, who inverts any inherent warmth he may have earned with his work in theStar TrekandX-Menfranchise with a terrifying role as the neo-Nazi leader; in a more just world, Stewart would have earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.Green Roomis certainly not for the faint of heart, but for those that enjoy Saulnier’s abrasive style, there’s no better entry in his filmography.
Green Room
A punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar.
