The Rider (2018) — Screenplay
A young cowboy, recovering from a near-fatal head injury, must redefine his identity and manhood in the American heartland.
- Written by
- Chloé Zhao
- Genre
- Drama, Western
- Length
- 80 pages
This screenplay is a masterclass in quiet storytelling, where the vast South Dakota plains mirror the internal landscape of its protagonist. Zhao's sparse dialogue and use of non-professional actors create an authentic, documentary-like immersion. The narrative structure deliberately avoids melodrama, focusing on the incremental steps of a man rebuilding his sense of self, making it a profound study in character-driven drama.
Read the full The Rider (2018) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Chloé Zhao’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.