Alan Ritchson’s new action thriller, Motor City, is making waves after debuting at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals. In fact, the film directed by Potsy Ponciroli has already bagged a solid 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While that number could shift as more critics weigh in, it’s still a strong start.
So far, Motor City has grabbed attention for its bold storytelling style with minimal dialogue and action-packed scenes. And this iconic film is being brought to life by an ensemble cast that includes Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, and Ben McKenzie, giving this crime thriller extra star power.
The table contains details about Motor City:
| Movie | Motor City |
| Director | Potsy Ponciroli |
| Cast | Alan Ritchson, Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, and Ben McKenzie |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score (so far) | 79% |
| Runtime | 1h 43m |
| Release Date | Aug 30 (Italy) TBA (USA) |
Alan Ritchson’s Motor City Channels John Wick’s Sparse Dialogue and Brutal Action
In Motor City, Alan Ritchson steps into the shoes of a man who has lost everything after being wrongly imprisoned. But once he’s released, his only mission becomes revenge against the gangsters who framed him. And the best part is, the film majorly focuses on action-rich scenes with barely any dialogue, offering fans what they want.
However, the familiarity of the plot surrounding a broken man who rises again with nothing left to lose reminded many fans (including us) of Keanu Reeves’ John Wick
The gritty 1970s Detroit setting of Ritchson’s movie also creates a similar dark backdrop, perfect for raw, violent action, much like John Wick. Herein, every scene pushes forward through atmosphere, music, and brutal fights instead of characters talking everything out. Plus, the film also seems to borrow the theme of retribution from Reeves’ films.
Through silence and physical performance, Motor City seems to honor classics like John Wick films, while carving its own style. So even though Alan Ritchson’s movie isn’t part of the Keanu Reeves’ John Wick universe, it carries the same energy: high-stakes combat, a strong but quiet hero, and a world where violence speaks louder than words.
Alan Ritchson Opens Up About the Challenges of Starring in a Film with Minimal Dialogue
Meanwhile, even though the film reminded people of John Wick and immediately drew comparisons to the action franchise, for Alan Ritchson, Motor City wasn’t just another action role. Speaking with Variety, the actor mentioned how it was a test of how much an actor can say without actually speaking.
Ritchson admitted that the lack of dialogue was both terrifying and exciting for him. Explaining the process, Ritchson compared words to a tool that helps convey emotion and clarity; only this time, that tool was taken away. So, Ritchson had to instead rely on expressions, body language, and sheer presence to carry the film.
There’s just nothing like it. It’s a super-unique and super-artistic film. Obviously, it’s a huge choice to not rely on dialogue, but I want this to be commercial, I want everybody to enjoy this and it not just to be for a tiny niche audience. And I think we did it.
He further added,
It’s really tricky. I love the tool that language provides us in conveying emotion. I guess sometimes we use it as a bit of a crutch. Sometimes we overuse it for exposition. But it’s such a reliable, trusty tool and to not have that in the toolkit is a little scary.
However, despite the challenge, Alan Ritchson mentioned that it was “exhilarating” to try and keep audiences engaged without the safety net of spoken lines. He also hopes this choice makes the film stand out in the crowded action-thriller space. Basically, he wants Motor City to feel unique but still commercial enough for everyone to enjoy.
Share your opinions on and expectations of watching Alan Ritchson in a film with minimal dialogue.
Motor City does not yet have a release date in the United States.
