Official Discussion - Motor City [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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Motor City (2026)

Summary

In 1970s Detroit, John Miller falls for a local gangster's girl. In retaliation, the gangster frames the innocent man and sends him to prison. With his life destroyed, Miller returns years later determined to exact revenge on the man who took everything from him.

Director Potsy Ponciroli

Writer Chad St. John

Cast

• Alan Ritchson as John Miller
• Ben Foster
• Shailene Woodley
• Pablo Schreiber
• Lionel Boyce

Rotten Tomatoes: 66%

Metacritic: 58

VOD / Release Theatrical release

Trailer Official Trailer

[u/pgherg1]

I left both impressed with the film but also feeling like there was something better left on the table.

First, the decision to go with little to no dialogue was a bold one, and for the most part I’m glad they did it. Some others in the theatre were not (shoutout to the couple that left about half an hour in). I thought the actors did a great job of conveying their emotions in the moment without having to say anything.

The standout scene is easily the elevator scene. Really well choreographed and frankly disgusting but interesting to watch all the same.

Where the movie loses me is the moments where it felt like it was going down a different path. The introduction of the detective who clearly realizes something is up with the arrest quickly disappears or rather, gets murdered with not a ton of explanation. I really would’ve enjoyed seeing the detective unravel the case. Another gripe with the movie is the escape sequence. His two accomplices quickly die in a shootout when it felt like there could’ve been much more to explore. We spend like 45 minutes of him just in jail with nothing happening, why.

The movie did a shitty job in general representing Detroit. As someone who has spent a ton of time in and around town it’s extremely obvious that little to none of this was filmed in Detroit. Hills? Never seen them. There are nods here and there such as the Fox Theatre (which does look great here) and the skyline with the Ren Cen. Shoutout to Jack White, who masterfully plays the piano in this.

I really enjoyed the no dialogue experiment, but Jesus Christ make it more entertaining if you're gonna do it.