Sometimes the best action movies let their fists do the talking. That's exactly the case with Motor City, the upcoming revenge thriller starring Alan Ritchson that's already shaping up to be one of the most distinctive action entries of 2026. Collider has debuted an exclusive first-look image from the film, and it's clear Ritchson is channeling pure fury.
Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, Motor City follows John Miller (Ritchson), a working-class romantic in 1970s Detroit who gets framed by a ruthless gangster after falling for the wrong woman. After years behind bars, Miller returns home with a singular goal: brutal, prolonged revenge. The image shows Ritchson looking absolutely livid, and given the film's unique approach, that expression says more than any dialogue could.
A Nearly Silent Revenge Saga
What sets Motor City apart is its commitment to minimalism. The film reportedly contains only a handful of spoken lines across its 103-minute runtime. While that might sound like a gimmick, it's a perfect fit for Ritchson, whose imposing physicality and expressive body language carry the narrative. For fans who loved watching him batter through enemies in Reacher, this is the follow-up they've been waiting for.
The cast is stacked with talent. Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) plays Sophia, while Ben Foster (Hell or High Water) takes on the role of Reynolds. Pablo Schreiber (Halo), Ben McKenzie (Gotham), Stephen Dorff (Blade), and Amar Chadha-Patel (Willow) round out the ensemble. The script comes from Chad St. John, and the music is being handled by Jack White, who described the film as a "rock disco revenge" experience.
Ben Foster, who worked closely with Ritchson, shared some insights during the Toronto International Film Festival. "He's very tall and very muscular, and he's very handsome," Foster joked before praising Ritchson's ambition. "He's terrific as a mover. I think he wants to do some deeper work, or rather different kinds of work than he's been doing, and that's a joy." Foster added that the film feels "like a graphic novel" and called it a "rock disco revenge film."
For those who enjoy a good cat-and-mouse thriller, Motor City promises a fresh take on the genre. If you're looking for something similar to stream now, check out Netflix Thriller 'I Came By' Delivers a Sinister Cat-and-Mouse Game with a Killer Twist.
Independent Film Company will release Motor City in theaters on July 24. Stay tuned for more from our exclusive summer preview series.
