Ride On
Plot
As the sun sets over the dusty streets of a small town, Jack (played by John Cena), a once-celebrated stuntman, finds himself struggling to make ends meet. His iconic daredevil stunts have given way to humiliating commercial gigs, and his trusty horse, Luna, has become more of a burden than a partner. With debt collectors closing in on their small farmhouse, Jack's desperation reaches new heights. One fateful day, as they're trying to fend off the relentless creditors, a heated argument turns into an impromptu fight between Jack and the collectors. The chaos is caught on camera by a passing drone, and before long, the grainy footage goes viral on social media. The world can't get enough of the "Washed-Up Stuntman vs. Debt Collectors" brawl. Overnight, Jack and Luna become an unlikely sensation, with memes and GIFs flooding the internet. As their notoriety grows, so do the opportunities. Suddenly, Jack is fielding offers from reality TV shows, talk shows, and even a few high-profile endorsement deals. As Jack's fame reaches new heights, he's forced to confront the harsh realities of his newfound stardom. His relationships with loved ones begin to fray, and the pressure to maintain his new image takes its toll on Luna as well. Amidst the chaos, Jack must find a way to reconcile his true self with the persona he's become – all while keeping his debt collectors at bay. Will Jack be able to tame the beast that is his newfound fame, or will it consume him entirely? Can he and Luna ride out this whirlwind of social media madness, or will they get bucked off the bandwagon altogether?
Reviews
Catalina
Jackie Chan's Native American look instantly brings back memories of "Who Am I?". In the film, we see glimpses of him reading the script for "New Police Story" on set, and references to his most serious injury during the filming of "Armour of God." The montage of flashback action sequences, performed without a stunt double, feels like a heartfelt tribute from Jackie himself. Similar to Andy Lau's song "Seventeen," this movie is a retrospective and homage to Jackie Chan's acting career. "If there are no real falls, what will the audience watch... paying tribute means doing it exactly like before: keeping it real!" Choosing to do this is a lifetime commitment, and their era will never truly be over.
Jace
Attended an early screening of Ride On, and they say life imitates art. I was moved to tears several times by the connection between Jackie Chan, his horse, and his daughter. However, knowing how Jackie Chan handled the "Little Dragon Girl" incident in real life, the contrast felt somewhat ironic. Liu Haocun is everywhere; it's quite off-putting! In the end, a salute to all those who have dedicated themselves silently to the film industry.
Lincoln
Undeniably, Jackie Chan's dedication is admirable. However, watching him put on a show of deep father-daughter affection feels incredibly forced and jarring. One can't help but wonder what his real-life estranged daughter, "Little Dragon Girl," might think when seeing this "deeply moving" bond between a father and Liu Haocun on screen. Frankly, it's stomach-churning. The movie attempts to grab attention by piling on various comedians and exploiting "Stuntmen" nostalgia, but the jokes fall flat, and the sentimentality feels contrived and insincere. (The combination of Yang Zi, Jackie Chan, and the Deyun She's Young Master was a red flag for a bad movie. It was my fault for having any expectations!)
Bonnie
If the story focused solely on the bond between Dragon and his horse, it would be even more powerful and resonant.
Caleb
"When a washed-up stuntman and his horse become viral sensations, you know the plot is wilder than any of their stunts!"
Isla
The story of a washed-up stuntman and his horse turning viral after a real-life debt clash feels like a wild ride of both luck and consequences. It’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, blending humor with a sharp critique of modern life.
