Early reviews for Alan Ritchson‘s upcoming R-rated revenge thriller have surfaced on Rotten Tomatoes. Most are positive, signaling a decent start for the critical reception.
What critics are saying about Motor City in reviews
Most critics have praised Motor City’s action and visual storytelling in reviews. The Jam Report‘s Doug Jamieson described it as a mix of American Hustle and Sin City. He also called it “a pulpy revenge thriller that doesn’t care much for subtlety but absolutely thrives on mood and texture.” Furthermore, he shared that it is a “stylish, often exhilarating experience” that focuses on “rhythm and attitude” in addition to the story.
He also praised Alan Ritchson’s performance, deeming the Reacher star “an ideal fit” for the movie’s creative direction. Jamieson also highlighted the supporting cast members, labeling them “archetypal but memorable.”
Meanwhile, Sarah Manvel of Movies We Texted About praised the film’s skillful use of sound and image to tell its story. She wrote, “If more movies are this smart about how they use sound and image to tell a story without words, we might get a revival of so-called silent cinema after all.”
Steve Pond of TheWrap said in his review, “It shouldn’t work but it pretty much does, at least for those who are big enough pulp fans to go along with this wacky thrill ride.”
Richard Valero of FandomWire shared that while it may not appeal to everyone, it will certainly captivate fans of intense action. He wrote, “This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want to see high-octane action with great performances from Alan Ritchson and Ben Foster, check out Motor City on the big screen.”
However, not everyone enjoyed what it had to offer. Lucas Moore of Big Gold Belt Media shared in his review that while the action stood out, its choice to go nearly dialogue-free left a poor taste.
Motor City’s Rotten Tomatoes score is good enough
Motor City has secured a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 23 reviews, which is neither disappointing nor remarkable. Moreover, this is expected to change as more reviews come in.
The film premieres in theaters on July 24, 2026. Potsy Ponciroli directed from Chad St. John’s screenplay. In addition to Ritchson, also a producer, the movie features Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Ben McKenzie, Amar Chadha-Patel, and Lionel Boyce.