Netflix released a movie called “Rebel Ridge” earlier in September, and it is currently trending as one of the most-watched films. It is unique in that it is a revenge thriller centered around a government practice that largely flies under the radar: Civil asset forfeiture.
The film has all the hallmarks of a classic action movie in which the protagonist enters a small town and immediately clashes with corrupt authorities. However, “Rebel Ridge” is different as it brings to light a serious problem without being over-the-top preachy.
The movie begins with a former U.S. marine traveling to a fictional Louisana town carrying $30,000 to bail out his brother. He is soon confronted by police officers who steal his money under civil asset forfeiture when one of the officers “suspected” that it was being used to fund drug enterprises.
The officers had no evidence of wrongdoing on…
