The ‘Reacher’ star unleashes a fury of vengeance—with almost no words.
Let’s just get this out of the way: five lines of dialogue. That’s all Motor City gives its leading man. Five lines. And honestly? That might be all Alan Ritchson needs.
Thanks to Reacher, Ritchson has bulked, brawled, and brooded his way into Hollywood’s top tier of modern action stars. Now, he’s ditching the tactical gear and stepping into something more raw, more retro, more… unhinged. In the newly revealed first look at Motor City, he’s barely recognizable—hair long, beard biblical, eyes smoldering behind prison bars. Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, his character John Miller doesn’t cry, beg, or deliver monologues. He waits. And then, he burns it all down.
A ‘70s Revenge Trip With the Volume Turned Way Down
Directed by Old Henry’s Potsy Ponciroli and written by Chad St. John (London Has Fallen), Motor City is an unapologetically stylized revenge thriller. The kind of film that leans into aesthetic with no shame: gritty camera moves, aggressive editing, muscle cars that feel pulled straight from a Springsteen track. And yes—Jack White is doing the score. Detroit’s own. That’s not just a music credit. That’s a mission statement.
TIFF insiders, who’ve slotted Motor City as a buzzworthy Fall entry, describe the experience as “an opera, a music video, and an action movie” all rolled into one. You can practically hear the guitar distortion just from reading that.
No release date yet—but it’s TIFF-bound this September.
No Words, Just Wreckage
This isn’t your typical action flick. And that’s not marketing speak—it’s actually not. Star Ben Foster described the project to Collider as “virtually a silent film.” Five lines. That’s not hyperbole. That’s the whole thing. Ritchson will punch, stomp, and destroy his way through betrayal and bloodshed without ever once giving a speech about justice.
It’s the kind of risk you just don’t see much anymore in mainstream cinema. A modern revenge thriller with the confidence to shut up and let the chaos speak. And let’s be clear—this isn’t arthouse subtlety. This is graphic-novel-level brutality with a vintage lens flare. A violent ballet with grease-stained knuckles.
The Cast Packs Heat Too
Motor City doesn’t ride on Ritchson alone. The cast reads like a gritty genre dream team:
- Shailene Woodley
- Ben Foster (who seems to be everywhere lately)
- Pablo Schreiber
- Zoë Kravitz
- Ben McKenzie
- Natasha McElhone
That’s not a cast list. That’s a lineup of people who look like they’ve all lost something and are about to make someone pay.
Oh, and let’s not skip over the crew. Jon Berg at Stampede Ventures is calling this one a “propulsive” sensory ride. Dynamic camera work. Surround-sound carnage. All signs point to this being the kind of midnight screening that leaves your ears ringing and your soul just a little scorched.
Ritchson’s Post-Reacher Era Begins
Alan Ritchson is clearly not waiting around to get typecast. In addition to Season 4 of Reacher and a cameo in the upcoming spinoff Neagley, he’s also leading War Machine, another gritty action project that’s already drawing buzz.
But Motor City feels different. It’s less about expanding his brand and more about breaking it. No one expects this guy to go silent. Which is exactly why he’s doing it.
What happens when you strip away the macho speeches and let the sound design, the score, and the rage tell the story?
Apparently… something pretty explosive.
🎬 What Makes ‘Motor City’ Worth Watching in a Noisy Action Landscape
Almost No Dialogue
The film reportedly includes just five spoken lines—putting all narrative weight on visuals, performances, and sound.
Jack White’s Signature Soundtrack
Detroit’s own Jack White curates the score, blending rock and disco into a propulsive revenge opera.
A Cast of Grit and Gravitas
With Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Zoë Kravitz, and more, the ensemble leans into tension, silence, and fury.
A Stylistic Swing for the Fences
From director Potsy Ponciroli and writer Chad St. John, the film plays like a graphic novel adapted into pure, unfiltered motion.
TIFF Debut This September
Motor City is set to premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival—expect midnight mayhem.
Do we need more talky action movies right now? Or is this kind of brutal minimalism exactly what the genre’s been missing?
Let us know what you think. Would you watch a near-silent revenge thriller in a theater—or stream it with the volume cranked up?
