Get Your Fix Before 'Reacher' Season 3: Tom Cruise's Action Thrillers Now on Netflix
For fans eagerly awaiting the return of "Reacher" season 3 on Prime Video, a pair of Tom Cruise films recently added to Netflix offer a pre-season treat. While the 2022 series adaptation of Lee Child's popular "Jack Reacher" novels was a hit for Prime Video, with Alan Ritchson embodying the burly hero with aplomb, "Reacher" season 2 didn't quite reach the same heights. Despite this, the series remains a beloved guilty pleasure, leaving viewers hungry for more of the super-intelligent, super-strong former military policeman and drifter.
With "Reacher" season 3 one of the most anticipated TV returns, viewers seeking their fix before its arrival will find plenty to keep them occupied. The expansive "Jack Reacher" universe, with 27 novels spanning from 1997's "The Killing Floor" to 2023's "The Secret," offers ample reading material. The latest book, "In Too Deep", is due for release in October 2024, with a collection of short stories starring the character also available. However, for viewers who prefer screen time, a different "Jack Reacher" adventure awaits. Netflix has just added two underrated action thrillers featuring a distinct interpretation of the iconic character.
These films, 2012's "Jack Reacher" and 2016's "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", star Tom Cruise in the titular role. While they may not be as critically acclaimed as the Prime Video series, the differences stem largely from the casting choice. Cruise's physique doesn't quite match the physical description of the character in the novels. Despite these limitations, Tom Cruise's "Jack Reacher" movies offer a fun watch for fans of the franchise.
"Jack Reacher", based on the 2005 novel "One Shot", is the stronger of the two films. The film boasts a compelling cast, with Werner Herzog as a chilling villain, Robert Duvall delivering a memorable supporting performance, and Rosamund Pike, as always, excellent as Reacher's love interest. While Cruise may not perfectly embody Reacher's imposing physique, he convincingly portrays a sharp-witted soldier of fortune with a unique skillset. Director Christopher McQuarrie, later renowned for his work on the "Mission: Impossible" franchise with Cruise, brings his signature fast pace, sharp wit, and innovative action sequences to the film, making it a thrilling watch.
"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", the sequel based on the 2013 novel of the same name, didn't quite achieve the same success as its predecessor, despite the novel's decent reception. Prime Video's "Reacher" series has yet to adapt either of these films, and with such a vast pool of source material, it may not reach them for some time, even after the conclusion of "Reacher" season 3.
However, for viewers seeking an entertaining "Reacher" fix before the new season, Tom Cruise's "Jack Reacher" films offer a unique and thrilling take on the character, proving an enjoyable watch even with their differences from the source material and the Prime Video adaptation.
