Motor City (2025)

Almost nobody talks in Motor City, and it turns out a revenge movie still needs somebody to say something. Alan Ritchson plays John Miller, a Vietnam vet in 1977 Detroit who gets framed by a crooked detective the very night his girlfriend Sophia says yes, and from there the story runs on rock songs, hard stares and engines. It looks great and sounds even better. But with so little said, the plot stalls out fast, and Shailene Woodley’s Sophia is treated as a prize to fight over instead of a person. Ben Foster plays Reynolds, the jealous mobster pulling the strings, and Pablo Schreiber is the detective he pays off. The prison breakout, set up with a coded letter from John’s old army buddies, is the best stretch. It made $3.05 million worldwide on a reported $30M. A 4.6 because it’s a slick music video that forgot to end. $139.77 says you try to communicate only by turning up the car radio on your next drive and your passenger turns it right back down.

What works: The rock soundtrack and stylish 1970s look are a blast, and the prison breakout is a fun stretch.

What doesn’t: The near-silent approach backfires, leaving the story thin and Sophia barely a character at all.

Who it’s for: Fans of muscle cars and classic rock who are happy to let the playlist do the talking.