Alan Ritchson is set to captivate audiences again with his latest R-rated thriller.
Ritchson has recently gained significant recognition for his role as the lead in Prime Video’s Reacher, adapted from Lee Child’s novels. While he’s set to return in the fourth season of Reacher this month, Ritchson’s film career has also been flourishing. He starred in the 2026 Netflix hit War Machine, and featured in Fast X (2023), The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), and Playdate (2025). Additionally, this year has seen him in another intense action film.
After its initial theatrical debut on July 24, Motor City is confirmed for digital release on August 25. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, the film will be available for rental and purchase across major digital platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
The screenplay for Motor City, crafted by Chad St. John, could be Ritchson’s most raw and intense film yet. In this film, Ritchson plays John Miller, a man who seeks vengeance after being wrongly accused and imprisoned due to his relationship with a local mob boss’s girlfriend.
Motor City offers a unique cinematic experience, mostly devoid of dialogue, set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s Detroit. The film, featuring Ben Foster, Shailene Woodley, Lionel Boyce, and Pablo Schreiber, is laden with harsh R-rated action scenes.
Despite its distinctive narrative style and heavy stylization, Motor City received mixed reviews from critics, holding a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have lauded its soundtrack, action sequences, and visual flair, although the sparse dialogue has occasionally been viewed as a drawback.
The review from ScreenRant‘s Alex Harrison rated Motor City a mere four out of 10. Harrison commended the “grounded and brutal” action scenes but criticized the script and performances, particularly the decision to minimize dialogue, noting:
The film is regrettably thin on character development, exacerbated by the scant dialogue. The characters perform predictable actions that more often serve the plot rather than reveal deeper insights into their personas, resulting in performances that feel somewhat uninspired and lack significant non-verbal acting.
Following a disappointing box office performance, where Motor City earned just $2.8 million against a $30 million budget, the film is set for its digital release.
Amid a busy year, Ritchson’s Motor City hits digital platforms. Besides his ongoing role in Reacher, Ritchson is slated to appear in the forthcoming Neagley series spinoff. On the film front, he will be seen in Runner, an action thriller, Groove Tails, an animated feature, and The Man with the Bag, a holiday film, all scheduled for release later this year.
It’s uncertain how Motor City will perform on digital platforms, yet there is potential for it to attract a larger audience than it did in cinemas. While Ritchson has faced challenges in theatrical leads, his appeal on streaming and VOD platforms is on the rise.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
