Sundance Review: Ricky is a Depiction of a Gentle Soul in a Brutal Environment

      Ricky (Stephen James) has only been out of prison for a few weeks, but he's already overwhelmed by the outside world. His parole officer Joanne (Sheryl Lee Ralph) frequently visits him at home to criticize him. His mother Winsome (Simbi Kali) treats him as though he’s already a lost cause. He just lost a job that was meant to be secured by his childhood friend Terrence (Sean Nelson). Fifteen years prior, Terrence persuaded Ricky to join him in a robbery; when things went south, Terrence abandoned him, leaving Ricky to face the fallout. Having spent the majority of his life behind bars, Ricky struggles to interact with others, having difficulties with communication and maintaining eye contact. Though physically imposing with strength and a muscular build, he remains that frightened teenager arrested years ago on the inside. Unsure of how to move forward, Ricky has one asset: his talent for cutting hair. With aspirations of opening a barbershop someday, he attempts to create a life for himself.

      Unfortunately, those around him aren't as supportive as they could be, often treating Ricky as a nuisance. Imprisoned since he was a teenager, Ricky never had the opportunity to learn to drive. He needs transportation to meet with his parole officer and attend a court-mandated support group, but his younger brother James (Maliq Johnson) is inconsistent in helping him. With his mother often busy at work, Ricky struggles to meet his obligations as someone who isn’t quite free. He connects with Cheryl (Andrene Ward-Hammond) in group, but she doesn't seem to fully comprehend his situation. Jaded by life, she sometimes takes her frustrations out on him, and although Ricky feels he doesn’t deserve it—having yet to experience a true adult life—he endures her harshness. However, not everything is bleak; single mother Jaz (Imani Lewis) shows interest in Ricky and is more understanding than Cheryl. He offers to cut her son’s hair for free, motivated by a genuine concern for the child and a desire to show Jaz the kind of person he is.

      In his debut as a writer and director, Rashad Frett presents a sensitive portrayal of a man navigating a challenging world, imprisoned for much of his life due to desperate choices. Ricky has never had the opportunity to express his true self, as he hasn't had the time or support to learn how to do so. This reflects a reality where society often views felons as lesser beings, deemed too primitive and uncivilized to mix with the rest of us. The act of incarceration is a form of dehumanization, with the free world encouraging the stigmatization of “criminals,” even when they resemble those around them. Throughout the film, Ricky rarely makes morally wrong decisions; his actions stem from a lack of choices and a society eager to send him back to prison. To others, he hasn’t truly completed his time; his sentence seems to persist endlessly.

      James delivers a career-best performance as Ricky, who is a frightened boy trapped in a strong man's body. Despite his formidable appearance, Ricky poses no real threat nor desires conflict; his goal is to care for himself, earn an honest living, and not burden his mother. Local resident Leslie Torino (Titus Welliver) recognizes Ricky's potential and promises to save a car he’s been repairing for him. Their interactions are some of the film’s most heartfelt, showcasing a unique form of masculine mentorship. However, it’s Ralph who ultimately shines as Joanne, a parole officer who genuinely cares for those she supervises. Although she is tough on Ricky, her sternness has purpose: she believes he doesn’t belong in prison and that the best way to keep him out is through constant encouragement. While her methods may not be ideal, they are the only ones she knows. Ricky is filled with characters like this: all desperately seeking to break the cycle that keeps them trapped, yet unsure how to do so. At its core, Ricky addresses the cycles that govern our existence and the elusive Hollywood endings that don’t reflect reality.

      Ricky premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

      Grade: B