The Rider
dir. Chloé Zhao · 2018
Finding one's identity and purpose can be a painful journey that challenges our understanding of strength and vulnerability.
Plot
Once a rising star of the rodeo circuit, and a gifted horse trainer, young cowboy Brady is warned that his riding days are over after a horse crushed his skull at a rodeo. In an attempt to regain control of his own fate, Brady undertakes a search for a new identity and what it means to be a man in the heartland of the United States.
Why watch
"The Rider" is a poignant exploration of identity and purpose set against the rugged backdrop of the American West, masterfully blending personal struggle with the beauty of the natural world. This contemplative film invites viewers to reflect on what it truly means to be a man in a time when traditional roles are shifting.
Talking points
- the evolution of masculinity in contemporary America
- the role of animals in human identity
- the intersection of dreams and reality
- the impact of trauma on self-perception