Alan Ritchson Joins DC Star In New 'Reacher Meets John Wick' Action Movie

Any movie that brings Alan Ritchson together with a DC star and places them within a Reacher-meets-John Wick environment is bound to be worth watching. Of course, there's little denying that anything Ritchson does will pack a punch. The actor is known for his hulking presence and gravitas, making him absolutely perfect for the action genre. He's made his mark as the titular character in Prime Video's massively successful action series, Reacher, and we are always eager to see what he will take on next.

That brings us to Ritchson's most recent film, Motor City, which is set to hit US theaters on July 24, 2026. On the surface, this movie is a traditional high-octane revenge flick. Motor City follows Ritchson's John Miller, an '70s ex-con who loses his fiancée after being incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit. Once out of prison, this character can think of nothing else but getting even with those who framed him. This is where that John Wick DNA comes in, while the central character's status as an unstoppable force of nature makes him Reacher comparable.

In addition to Ritchson, Motor City stars Shailene Woodley as John's fiancée, Sophie, while Ben Foster and Pablo Schreiber take on the antagonistic roles of Reynolds and Savick. Then, there's actor Ben McKenzie, best known for starring as Jim Gordon in the DC crime drama Gotham (2014 - 2019). This cast leaves little to guess at in the way of action, as many of these figures have a long history in the genre. Still, Motor City must have been a challenge for everyone involved, since this is no ordinary action movie.

How Alan Ritchson's Motor City Puts A Twist On John Wick-Style Action

Just like John Wick, Ritchson's Motor City is hyper-violent and gruesomely personal. Each and every moment of this film is pure action, and seeing Ritchson charge through his enemies as an imposing and seemingly unstoppable force makes this film every bit as satisfying as Reacher. Still, while Motor City smoothly adopts all the standard tropes of the genre, it goes about things a bit differently.

There is hardly any dialogue in Motor City. Richston's character, especially, is a man of very few words. Instead, this film is dominated by an intense, unending soundtrack featuring songs from David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Bill Withers, Donna Summer, The Moody Blues, and more. It's these voices that provide the auditory backdrop of the film, while the visual elements are meticulously orchestrated with phenomenal fight choreography. Critics have compared Motor City to a sort of feature-length music video—a dance decorated in blood and gunfire.

This also means that Motor City is about as campy as it can get. The 1970s setting only adds to it, while the silent-film angle further suggests that this is a unique work of art scrounged up from the past. The Detroit-set film holds a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that this sort of intense brutality is excellent for some, but it has the potential to turn others away. However, solid action enthusiasts who are looking for something a bit different are sure to be pleased.

Motor City Holds Nothing Back With Its Excellent Action Stars

As a dialogue-free Indie film, Motor City might have gone under the radar. However, stars like Ritchson make this project difficult to ignore. There's also no question that a DC star like McKenzie fits right in, though his role as the corrupt cop named Kent is secondary to the other antagonists. Foster has just as powerful a presence in the action genre, with his prior projects including The Punisher and X-Men: The Last Stand. Then there is Schreiber, known for The Wire, American Gods, Orange is the New Black, and the live-action Halo series.

Action takes a heavy toll on actors, and a film that relies entirely on music and visuals, with no real dialogue, would only turn up the pressure. It's something these stars were apparently ready and eager to face. As Motor City officially hits theaters in the US, audiences can decide for themselves if it was worth it.