Overview
A young cowboy grapples with the harsh realities of life after a devastating injury threatens his passion for rodeo.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- lyrical
- intimate
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a hard-hitting, poetic, fact-based drama made more powerful by its naturalistic nonprofessional performances and luminous landscapes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story draws directly on Brady Jandreau's real injury and life, with Jandreau and other nonprofessional performers playing closely related versions of themselves.
Brady's struggle to continue rodeo life also evokes the fragility of a contemporary cowboy identity and community.
Brady rejects being treated delicately while confronting medical limits that challenge his identity as a cowboy and provider of his own worth.
The South Dakota plains, horses, and open skies receive patient, poetic attention while remaining grounded in everyday labor.
Films like The Rider, and why
Brokeback Mountain
shared contemplative western atmosphere, intimate character study, and themes of masculinity and emotional isolation
Nomadland
shared lyrical landscapes, working-class realism, and quietly devastating examination of identity and family responsibility
Winter's Bone
shared slow-burn drama, rural American setting, and protagonists confronting lives narrowed by economic and physical limits
Lean on Pete
shared naturalistic performances, equestrian culture, and emotionally restrained portrait of damaged masculinity
Movie Details
- Director
- Chloé Zhao
- Release Date
- 2018-03-28
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (577)
Cast
- Brady Jandreau
- Tim Jandreau
- Lilly Jandreau
- Cat Clifford
- Terri Dawn Pourier
- Lane Scott
- Tanner Langdeau
- James Calhoon
- Derrick Janis
- Greg Barber
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Rider about?
- After a devastating rodeo injury, a young South Dakota cowboy must choose between the dangerous life that defines him and an uncertain future beyond it.
- What is The Rider like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Rider as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Rider violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Rider as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Rider?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a hard-hitting, poetic, fact-based drama made more powerful by its naturalistic nonprofessional performances and luminous landscapes.
- Which films are like The Rider?
- Films with a similar feel include Brokeback Mountain, Nomadland, Winter's Bone, and Lean on Pete.
- How long is The Rider?
- The Rider runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Rider?
- In United States, The Rider is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
