Alan Ritchson is out of prison and out for blood in “Motor City,” a 1970s-set revenge thriller that looks built around old-school action, bruising physicality, and a whole lot of noise.
Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, best known for the Tim Blake Nelson western “Old Henry” and the dark comedy “Greedy People,” the film stars Ritchson as a working-class romantic in Detroit who is framed by a ruthless gangster after falling for his girlfriend. After years behind bars, he returns with one mission: revenge. Ponciroli’s recent filmography has leaned into genre with a muscular, throwback sensibility, and “Motor City” appears to push that even further.
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Written by Chad St. John, the film co-stars Shailene Woodley, Pablo Schreiber, Lionel Boyce, Ben Foster, Ben McKenzie, and Amar Chadha-Patel. Adding to the throwback-rock grit, the film also features a score by Jack White of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In 1970s Detroit, a working-class romantic is framed by a ruthless gangster after falling for his girlfriend. After years in prison, he returns with only one mission: revenge.
The official materials describe the film as “a thunderous, high-octane revenge saga” built around brutal action, magnetic performances, striking imagery, a thunderous rock score, precision-crafted action, and immersive sound design. In other words, this one is very much being sold as a big-screen bruiser.
“Motor City” opens exclusively in theaters on July 24. Watch the new trailer below.
