(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 8.1/8.0/7.6
Creator: Nick Santora
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Maria Sten, Willa Fitzgerald
Douban Comments: “I once bought eight of Jack’s novels on Amazon in one go and couldn’t put the series down. The TV adaptation is much closer to the original books than the movies. Jack isn’t a Batman-style detective; when it’s time to kill, he doesn’t hesitate. With a cold exterior but a warm heart, the sharp mind of a former military investigator, and a strong sense of justice, he’s the perfect hardboiled detective hero. The actor in the series really looks the part – tall, strong, and with smooth, stylish fight scenes.”
“This hardboiled detective series follows Jack Reacher, a 1.95-meter-tall ex-soldier with exceptional intelligence and combat skills – a classic ‘man of few words’. The story revolves around a series of murders in a small town, and Reacher teams up with Chief Finlay and Officer Roscoe to investigate.
Beyond the gripping plot, the show excels in its portrayal of Reacher’s character. Through flashbacks and parallel storytelling, it reveals that this ‘ruthless’ hero is, deep down, a kind-hearted person. His ‘eye for an eye’ approach stems from a deep hatred of evil.”
“This show exceeded expectations – I binged it in one go. It’s a classic tough-guy series with some refreshing twists. The protagonist, drawn to the small town of Margrave by his love for blues music, finds himself entangled in a conspiracy. As the plot unfolds, the tip of a nationwide counterfeit money scheme is revealed.
The screenplay flows smoothly, with each episode aligning with its title and meticulously laying out the clues. Dialogue-driven recaps and planning keep the narrative tight and focused. Every character is decisive and action-oriented – when it’s time to act, they do so without unnecessary chatter. Officer Roscoe stands out as more than just a token ‘female sidekick’ common in hardboiled stories; she has a vibe reminiscent of Judy from Zootopia. Chief Finlay and Reacher share a love-hate dynamic that’s lighter and more humorous than the brooding partnerships in True Detective.
Reacher’s relationship with Neagley – somewhere between comradeship and an ‘old married couple’ vibe – is enviable. Even the supporting characters are given distinctive traits. Reacher’s encyclopedic knowledge, eye for detail, and no-nonsense attitude add to his appeal.
The one downside might be that the main villain feels underwhelming, and the step-by-step investigation lacks some deductive intrigue.”
“A clever detective duo – one rash, one grumpy – work together to solve a case. The story moves from a corrupt cop in a small town to a rural capitalist and finally to the real mastermind. The plot unfolds step by step, clearly and quickly. The action scenes are intense and deadly, similar to John Wick, but even more brutal and violent, full of that over-the-top masculine energy from ’80s and ’90s action films.
It’s designed like an old-school action movie, and that’s part of the charm. What’s even more appreciated is that everyone in the show sticks to their own roles – white characters do white characters’ things, black characters do black characters’ things, men do men’s jobs, women do women’s jobs. There’s no forced diversity or political correctness. The focus is purely on making the show enjoyable and exciting, without any unnecessary fluff.
The main actor has the perfect look and build to take over from the classic action stars, and he could even fit right into the DC superhero world.”
