Ride On (2023)

Ride On is a film that operates on two simultaneous levels: as a tribute to artisanal action cinema and as a narrative of personal reconciliation. Jackie Chan, in an exercise of artistic honesty, portrays a man who mirrors his own trajectory: a stuntman whose craft has been supplanted by digital technology. The synopsis points to a generational conflict — man versus algorithm — but the heart of the story beats elsewhere: the second chance to set a life straight. The relationship between Lao Luo and his horse Pegasus is the backbone of the film, and functions as a metaphor for loyalty and faithfulness when all else crumbles. The family reconciliation announced by the synopsis promises to be the central emotional arc, and knowing Chan's cinema, it will likely resolve without cheap sentimentality, opting instead for physical action as the language of forgiveness. For parents, it is a work that invites reflection on the value of work well done, the dignity of those who persevere in their craft when the world changes, and the importance of enduring bonds. The violence is typical of Chan: spectacular choreographies devoid of cruelty or graphic realism. The emotional tone suggests that the film trusts that the audience can be moved without artifice or cynicism. A solid choice for family viewing.