Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Ricky

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Ricky Now Playing 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 36 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Newly released after being locked up in his teens, 30-year-old Ricky navigates the challenging realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the first time as an adult.

Where to Watch

Ricky

Ricky

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Anchored by Stephan James' soulful performance and Rashad Frett's assured direction, Ricky is a raw, empathetic, and quietly powerful parable that delivers a moving gut punch through its realistic portrayal of life after incarceration.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Mar 19
3/4
James gives a phenomenal performance that will shatter you. Go to Full Review
Dwight Brown DwightBrownInk.com 02/26/2025
2.5/4
Inobtrusive directing. Like you’re hanging out with the good and bad angels on Ricky’s shoulder. Go to Full Review
Jacob Oller AV Club 01/31/2025
C
A blunt film that’s best when investing in the day-to-day textures and pain points experienced by someone in Ricky’s shoes. Go to Full Review
Beandrea July FilmWeek (LAist) 1d
It's a movie that really makes you think, but also makes you really feel for someone who clearly was on the wrong path, and you hope he can make it onto a better one. Go to Full Review
Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht Apr 30
Ricky is a thought-provoking movie about what happens when a man gets out, never having known freedom as an adult. Go to Full Review
Carla Hay Culture Mix Apr 25
The last 15 minutes of the gritty drama Ricky are a little too rushed and oversimplified. However, Stephan James gives a talented performance as a 30-year-old man who spent half of his life in prison and is adjusting to life after prison. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Dream May 1 This movie was so good. Didnt want it to end. See more MSV Apr 30 The film was spectacular, blending laughter, tears, and suspense into a total drama with consistently credible and gripping performances that stand out, especially from the leads, whose naturality and chemistry shine while supporting characters add depth and relief when appropriate. The direction is effective, maintaining a rhythm that shifts between intense scenes and quiet moments, and the production—cinematography, sound design, and key scenes—intensifies the emotions. The tone achieves a notable balance between comedy, drama, and suspense, with well-timed humorous beats to keep the dramatic weight from feeling overwhelming and well-executed twists that sustain the intrigue. All told, it moves and entertains, delivering memorable moments and a cinematic experience worth recommending with enthusiasm if you enjoyed this mix of humor, drama, and tension, you’re likely to enjoy it on a second viewing and to share it with friends seeking a complete and impactful story. See more Clarissa Cherie Apr 25 Very raw! Very real! Unfortunately, a story that is relatable to many families. Gut-wrenching performances! A must-see film! See more Jim O. Apr 25 Gripping story of a young man adjusting to the outside after a lengthy jail sentence. Stephan James in intense as the lead Ricky and he drives the story with his authentic performance. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Titus Welliver are excellent as authority figures in Ricky's new world. Simbi Khali as Ricky's mother almost steals the show, a superb performance among many others. Director Rashad Frett won the Best Director at Sundance and it was well deserved. See more B.R. Apr 25 The production of the movie was great. Good movie overall! Definitely check it out. See more Barry H @RT56243865 5d Holy Wow! This must go to the Oscars! A must see! See more Read all reviews
Ricky

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Treading Water % % Treading Water Watchlist TRAILER for Treading Water Aftersun 96% 82% Aftersun Watchlist TRAILER for Aftersun The Father 98% 88% The Father Watchlist TRAILER for The Father Riley % % Riley Watchlist TRAILER for Riley Living 96% 91% Living Watchlist TRAILER for Living Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Newly released after being locked up in his teens, 30-year-old Ricky navigates the challenging realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the first time as an adult.
Director
Rashad Frett
Producer
Pierre M. Coleman, Simon Taufique, Rashad Frett, Sterling Brim, D.C. Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Josh Peters, Mark Steele
Screenwriter
Lin Que Ayoung, Rashad Frett
Distributor
Blue Harbor Entertainment
Production Co
Silver Brim Media, The deNovo Initiative, Parliament of Owls, Spark Features, Bay Mills Studios, Good Gravy Films, Ossetra Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 49m