The Rider

The Rider is a 2018 American drama western film directed by Chloé Zhao. The movie follows the story of Brady Blackburn, a young cowboy who suffers a near-fatal head injury in a rodeo accident. As he struggles to recover, Brady is told that his riding days are over, and he must find a new identity outside of the rodeo world. The film takes place in the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and features an all-Native American cast playing fictionalized versions of themselves. The movie explores themes of identity, family, and the struggles of living in poverty on a reservation. Brady's journey is one of self-discovery as he tries to come to terms with his new reality and find meaning in his life without rodeo. He takes on various jobs, including working at a local grocery store and breaking in horses, but his love for riding never fades away. Despite the doctors' warnings, Brady decides to participate in one last rodeo competition before ultimately deciding to walk away from that life for good. The Rider received critical acclaim for its poetic storytelling, stunning cinematography, and authentic portrayal of Native American life on a reservation. Chloé Zhao's direction was praised for its subtlety and sensitivity towards the characters and their stories. The film offers a fresh perspective on the western genre while exploring universal themes that resonate with audiences worldwide.

You can stream The Rider on: Apple TV Amazon Store Fandango at Home

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as The Rider include Killers of the Flower Moon, Hell or High Water, The Hateful Eight, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Dressmaker, Bone Tomahawk.

The Rider was released in theaters on April 13, 2018.

The Rider was released for streaming on August 7, 2018.