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Comedy drama

Ride the Eagle (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Ride the Eagle (2021) movie poster

Ride the Eagle is a 2021 comedy drama directed by Trent O'Donnell, starring Susan Sarandon as Honey, D'Arcy Carden and J.K. Simmons. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $235,209 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$235.2K
Echo Score
53
Ride the Eagle (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Trent O'Donnell
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
DECAL
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ride the Eagle About?

The premise of Ride the Eagle without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Leif, a man grappling with a complex relationship with his mother, must complete a series of unusual challenges outlined in her eccentric will. Accompanied by his devoted dog, Nora, he journeys through a vibrant and unconventional world, confronting past conflicts and seeking a renewed sense of connection. The journey tests his resolve as he attempts to fulfill his mother's final wishes and ultimately finds a path toward forgiveness and belonging.

Ride the Eagle Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • cabin in the woods
  • fishing
  • dead mother
  • living will
  • dog
  • mother son relationship
  • table tennis
  • vhs tape
  • overalls
  • hiking
  • yosemite national park
  • lake
+24 more
  • plaid shirt
  • to do list
  • human ashes
  • scattering ashes
  • ex girlfriend
  • lost dog
  • bongos
  • text written by character appears onscreen
  • telephone conversation
  • van
  • no opening credits
  • inheritance
  • co written by cast member
  • canoe
  • phone sex
  • baseball bat used as a weapon
  • reference to global warming
  • tree
  • eulogy
  • scattering cremated ashes
  • co written by director
  • deceased mother
  • mother
  • death of mother
Where to watch

Where to Watch Ride the Eagle

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Ride the Eagle Cast & Characters

Susan Sarandon leads the cast as Honey, with D'Arcy Carden as Audrey and J.K. Simmons as Carl. Directed by Trent O'Donnell; 4 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Ride the Eagle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ride the Eagle 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (45).

53 /100

Ride the Eagle Echo Score Breakdown

Ride the Eagle delivers a low‑key, character‑driven indie experience that offers occasional warmth and humor, but its uneven pacing and familiar narrative limits overall impact. Critics acknowledge a pleasant tone and competent performances, while many viewers find the story flat and the emotional core hard to connect with. The film’s modest craftsmanship and restrained ambition result in a mixed reception that neither fully succeeds nor completely fails.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a restrained visual style characteristic of modest indie productions. Critics note a gentle, low‑key presentation and adequate production values, though no standout cinematography or design is highlighted. User comments are largely silent on visual aspects, suggesting an unremarkable but competent execution. Overall, the technical components support the narrative without elevating it.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When assessing character and emotion, reviewers frequently praise Jake Johnson’s watchability and the chemistry between leads, describing performances as sweet and engaging. However, some critics point out limited screen time for main characters together, and several users report difficulty connecting with the protagonists. The mixed feedback indicates competent acting that occasionally falls short of deeper resonance, yielding a moderate character rating.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is described by critics as sluggish, contrived, and reliant on familiar clichés, offering little novelty. Users echo these concerns, citing a lack of compelling events and uneven pacing that hinder engagement. While a few comments acknowledge an introspective tone, the prevailing sentiment highlights a weak plot structure that diminishes overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    The sensory experience—soundtrack, sound design, and visual cohesion—receives limited direct commentary. Critics reference a low‑key charm and a granola indie feel, implying an understated auditory and visual palette. User reviews do not address sensory elements, suggesting they are neither notably impressive nor distracting. Consequently, the sensory score reflects a neutral, serviceable level that aligns with the film’s modest ambitions.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor appears mixed; some critics label the film pleasant and sweet, hinting at modest repeat value, while others call it forgettable and lacking memorable moments. User feedback ranges from brief enjoyment to remarks of flatness and limited appeal. The combination of occasional charm and overall narrative modesty results in a middling replay potential.

Plot

Ride the Eagle Plot Summary

What happens in Ride the Eagle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Leif, a man in his forties struggling with perpetual adolescence, barely scrapes by as a percussionist in a failing rock band. Living in a run-down shed on the outskirts of Los Angeles, he finds solace in the company of his loyal black Labrador, Nora. His life revolves around a continuous cycle of stagnation and apathy, lacking any real emotional ties.

Full summary

The whole story of Ride the Eagle, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Ride the Eagle Box Office

Ride the Eagle grossed $235,209 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$235.2K

International
$235.2K
Videos

Ride the Eagle Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ride the Eagle.

Ride The Eagle - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ride the Eagle?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What instrument does Leif play?

Cars

Cars in Ride the Eagle

4 cars on screen, including the 1983 Ford Econoline and the International Harvester S-Series.

  • 1983 Ford Econoline in Ride the Eagle 1983 Ford Econoline Main role
  • International Harvester S-Series in Ride the Eagle International Harvester S-Series Background role
  • 2018 Tesla Model 3 in Ride the Eagle 2018 Tesla Model 3 Background role
  • 2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country in Ride the Eagle 2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country Background role
Details

Ride the Eagle Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Una herencia peliaguda” and “Una herència complicada”.

Also known as
  • Una herencia peliaguda
  • Una herència complicada
  • Оседлать орла
  • 驾上雄鹰
  • Kochaj życie
  • Ant erelio sparnų
  • Voe com a Águia
  • Vuela como el Aguila
  • 라이드 디 이글
  • Kartalın Kanatlarında
  • ركوب النسر
  • 駕上雄鷹
+1 more
  • Una herència enrevessada

Seen Ride the Eagle?

FAQ

Ride the Eagle FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Ride the Eagle, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ride the Eagle?

Ride the Eagle runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was Ride the Eagle released?

Ride the Eagle was released on July 30, 2021.

Who directed Ride the Eagle?

Ride the Eagle was directed by Trent O'Donnell.

More films by Trent O'Donnell

Who is in the cast of Ride the Eagle?

Ride the Eagle stars Susan Sarandon as Honey, D'Arcy Carden as Audrey and J.K. Simmons as Carl, among 4 credited actors.

Where can I watch Ride the Eagle?

In the US, Ride the Eagle is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Ride the Eagle make at the box office?

Ride the Eagle grossed $235,209 worldwide.

How is Ride the Eagle rated?

Ride the Eagle has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Ride the Eagle have a post-credit scene?

No. Ride the Eagle has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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