Performance & Direction: The Ridge Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Ridge (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 3.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Ridge features a noteworthy lineup led by Brett Haley . Supported by the likes of Neal Bledsoe and Lydia Hyslop , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Ridge (2005) is negative. With an audience rating of 3.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Ridge
Quick Plot Summary: The Ridge is a Thriller, Horror film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Ridge
Ending Breakdown: The Ridge attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Ridge reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Ridge?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Ridge
All Cast & Crew →
The Ridge Parents Guide & Age Rating
2005 AdvisoryWondering about The Ridge age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Ridge is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 3.6/10, and global collection metrics, The Ridge stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2005 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ridge worth watching?
The Ridge is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 3.6/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Ridge parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Ridge identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Ridge?
The total duration of The Ridge is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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How The Ridge Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Ridge
_**When a horror legend suddenly becomes REALITY**_ Five college youths take a getaway to a luxurious vacation home on a scenic ridge and somehow incur the wrath of the legendary Ridge Runner, a murderous woodsman. "The Ridge" (2005) is a micro-budge film (costing just $2400) written and directed by Brett Haley, who also stars as the semi-pathetic Blake who's rejected by the woman he craves and disrespected by his brother (Neal Bledsoe) and another dude before going off to brood. Will his suppressed rage conjure up a beast from his Id that will give birth to the rash, murderous actions he could only daydream about with his conscious mind à la "Forbidden Planet"? I was wondering if that was how the film would pan out, but I'm not going to say. Anyway, "The Ridge" begins with all the hallmarks of spare change budget fare, like poor sound, hand-held cams, less-than-stellar acting and dull dialogue/drama. The entire first half of the movie (43 minutes) is like this, which will tempt some viewers to tune out, but that would be a mistake because everything kicks into gear at the halfway point and Hayley's talent is showcased from there out. Seriously, the change in quality is so great that "The Ridge" is almost like two movies. Drama obviously isn't Haley's forte, but suspense/horror definitely is. The quality score by Austin Donohue accentuates the suspense. Lydia Hyslop as Cara is a highlight; she's sweet & beautiful and (almost) worth the price of admission. Neal Bledsoe plays the main dude; I hear he went on to greater things. Someone compared "The Ridge" to the Friday the 13th movies and said that it was better than some of the sequels. While it's true that it's a taken from the Friday the 13th mold, it lacks the budget of any of those films and is therefore one-dimensional and amateurish by comparison (the first half, at least). It also lacks the humor of some of the sequels of that franchise. It's totally serious, particular once the killer is revealed. Speaking of which, I like the fact that the Ridge Runner is presented as a mysterious killing machine with zero attempt to explain his (or her) insane actions, except for the legends spoken about him, but only in hushed tones late at night when the fires burn low. THE FILM RUNS 87 minutes and was shot on a ridge in Iron Mountain, Michigan, which is located in the northwestern part of the state near the border of Wisconsin. GRADE: First half C- and second half A for a balanced grade of B-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
