The Best Free 88-Minute Watch Right Now Is a John Carpenter-Inspired Neo-Western Thriller (original) (raw)

Nikki Amuka-Bird and Simon Kunz in Jericho Ridge

Image via DLNQNT

Published May 2, 2026, 6:03 AM EDT

Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features, reviews, recaps, and conducts interviews. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His novella, The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain,was released in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.

If you're looking for a quick but effective Western watch that's action-packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further than this neo-Western police thriller that stars Nikki Amuka-Bird. Written and directed by British filmmaker Will Gilbey, Jericho Ridge pulls from some of the best like-minded features out there — especially the work of veteran film directors John Carpenter and Howard Hawks — to compile a new tale of suspense that may just appeal to action-oriented modern audiences. If you haven't yet seen Jericho Ridge, here's your call to give this 88-minute action thriller the old college try for free on Tubi.

'Jericho Ridge' Is a Neo-Western Similar to 'Assault on Precinct 13'

Originally released on BET+, Jericho Ridge is set in rural Clay County, Washington as wounded police deputy Tammy Temple (Amuka-Bird) returns to the job after a short-term absence. Although Sheriff Eddie Reynolds (Simon Kunz) and Chief Deputy Dennis Bailey (Chris Reilly) are elated to have her back in uniform, Tammy picks the wrong day to return to active duty — and to leave her service weapon at home. When the police station is infiltrated by an agent of the local crime magnet, Tap Shannon (Aiden Kelly), things get out of hand as Tammy and her contemporaries are brutally attacked, resulting in more death and destruction than she's prepared to handle solo. With tensions high and her fears regarding her derelict son, Monty (Zack Morris), manifesting before her, the stakes speak for themselves. Even on a low budget, there's a lot of thought and care that goes into an action flick like this.

In many respects, Jerico Ridge is quite reminiscent of John Carpenter's original Assault on Precinct 13, an indie action-thriller that helped kick off his career and pushed the boundaries of the MPAA rating system at the time. Both films follow lone law enforcers stationed in a building condemned by encroaching criminal forces, stuck inside with an outlaw of sorts who may or may not aid them. Of course, just as it inspired Carpenter's picture, so too does Jericho Ridge invoke the spirit of Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo. While Amuka-Bird may not be as charismatic as John Wayne, we can see how the classic Western had its steady hand in guiding this modern attempt at the familiar tale — indeed, it's inspired even some of the best filmmakers out there. Influences aside, Jericho Ridge largely stands on its own as an entertaining thrill that will keep you guessing until the very end.

But while Gilbey writes a competent action-thriller set in the far reaches of the modern West, Jericho Ridge is ultimately held together by Amuka-Bird. A solid leading lady, she carries the picture just as relentlessly as Tammy carries her bum leg, with a determined enthusiasm that will see her through. Speaking of, the addition of the leg injury only emphasizes the danger, raising the stakes as the lack of immediate resources pushes Tammy to make hard split-of-the-moment decisions that may or may not come back to haunt her. The action itself is well above average for a low-budget made-for-streaming picture, and the production value is top-notch for a feature that wasn't even filmed in the U.S. (it was actually shot in the Republic of Kosovo).

Audiences Will Love the Simplicity of the Neo-Western 'Jericho Ridge'

What really works about a film like Jerico Ridge is that it keeps things simple. The plot isn't terribly convoluted and the characters, while complex and emotionally engaging, aren't pretending to be anything they're not. This is an action movie at heart with neo-Western window dressing and survivalist overtones that recycles what works about Assault on Precinct 13 and Rio Bravo for just under 90 minutes of pure entertainment. Considering the quick runtime (which will just fly by), there's no reason not to give Jericho Ridge a chance. Sure, it's no high-profile Hollywood action thriller, but it's perfect evening viewing.