Ricky (2025) | Rotten Tomatoes (original) (raw)
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Critics Consensus
Anchored by Stephan James' soulful performance and Rashad Frett's assured direction, Ricky is a raw, empathetic, and quietly powerful parable that delivers a moving gut punch through its realistic portrayal of life after incarceration.
Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Mar 19 James gives a phenomenal performance that will shatter you. Go to Full Review Dwight Brown DwightBrownInk.com 02/26/2025 Inobtrusive directing. Like you’re hanging out with the good and bad angels on Ricky’s shoulder. Go to Full Review Jacob Oller AV Club 01/31/2025 A blunt film that’s best when investing in the day-to-day textures and pain points experienced by someone in Ricky’s shoes. Go to Full Review Marlon Wallace The M Report (WBOC.com) Jun 29 This film isn't nonfiction, but it's clear that Frett utilizes a lot of nonfiction or documentary-style techniques in the filmmaking here... an intimacy to the cinematography that places us into the shoes and head of the protagonist so extremely well. Go to Full Review Nagier Chambers Big Gold Belt Media Jun 22 Stephan James delivers a career-best performance, balancing a prison-learned defense mechanism with the fragile innocence of a teenager who missed his entire youth Go to Full Review Norman Gidney MUSE TV Jun 22 A solid piece of filmmaking to be sure but it plays it safe by not charting any new territory. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Dream May 1 This movie was so good. Didnt want it to end. See more MSV Apr 30 The film was spectacular, blending laughter, tears, and suspense into a total drama with consistently credible and gripping performances that stand out, especially from the leads, whose naturality and chemistry shine while supporting characters add depth and relief when appropriate. The direction is effective, maintaining a rhythm that shifts between intense scenes and quiet moments, and the production—cinematography, sound design, and key scenes—intensifies the emotions. The tone achieves a notable balance between comedy, drama, and suspense, with well-timed humorous beats to keep the dramatic weight from feeling overwhelming and well-executed twists that sustain the intrigue. All told, it moves and entertains, delivering memorable moments and a cinematic experience worth recommending with enthusiasm if you enjoyed this mix of humor, drama, and tension, you’re likely to enjoy it on a second viewing and to share it with friends seeking a complete and impactful story. See more Clarissa Cherie Apr 25 Outstanding film! Very real! Gut-wrenching performances! See more Jim O. Apr 25 Gripping story of a young man adjusting to the outside after a lengthy jail sentence. Stephan James in intense as the lead Ricky and he drives the story with his authentic performance. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Titus Welliver are excellent as authority figures in Ricky's new world. Simbi Khali as Ricky's mother almost steals the show, a superb performance among many others. Director Rashad Frett won the Best Director at Sundance and it was well deserved. See more B.R. Apr 25 The production of the movie was great. Good movie overall! Definitely check it out. See more Jamal H @RT39596951 Jul 1 The most authentic and cinematically profound films I've seen all year! AN ABSOLUTE MUST SEE! See more Read all reviews
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Synopsis After spending half his life behind bars, 30-year-old Ricky struggles to adjust to a world that's moved on without him. As he searches for purpose, old patterns resurface that threaten a future that once felt out of reach.
Director
Rashad Frett
Producer
Pierre M. Coleman, Simon Taufique, Rashad Frett, Sterling Brim, D.C. Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Josh Peters, Mark Steele
Screenwriter
Lin Que Ayoung, Rashad Frett
Distributor
Blue Harbor Entertainment
Production Co
Silver Brim Media, The deNovo Initiative, Parliament of Owls, Spark Features, Bay Mills Studios, Good Gravy Films, Ossetra Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 49m