Prime Video’s 3-Part Action Thriller Series Is Worth A Weekend Binge

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Streaming services, including Prime Video, have plenty of action thriller series. It’s a common formula: put a well-known actor against a villain, and you often get a fast-paced show that keeps viewers hooked. But truly exceptional action thrillers are rare because they take risks and aren’t afraid to be different.

Currently, Reacher is the leading action thriller on streaming services. It’s been a massive hit for Prime Video, earning high praise from critics – every season has received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90% or higher. Reacher is really setting the standard for the genre, consistently delivering gripping action, compelling characters, and well-written storylines.

Alan Ritchson Delivered The Definitive Version Of Jack Reacher

What really proves how good the Reacher series is isn’t just how many people watch it or the positive reviews – it’s how well it stays true to the original books. While Prime Video’s show is based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, it’s not the first adaptation; Tom Cruise starred in two movies based on the books back in the 2010s.

While the Jack Reacher movies from 2012 and 2016 delivered standard action fare, they disappointed many book fans. The biggest complaint centered on Tom Cruise’s casting; he didn’t physically resemble the character as described in the novels, and lacked the imposing presence of Lee Child’s Reacher. Many felt Cruise portrayed a weaker version of the character, and this affected the quality of the stories and how they were brought to life.

Look, I always liked Tom Cruise, but Alan Ritchson is Jack Reacher. It’s not just that he’s physically imposing – though that definitely helps! – it’s how completely he becomes the character. Every little thing, from the way he speaks to the way he looks at people, just feels right. Cruise’s Reacher felt like a generic action star, but Ritchson? He’s exactly how I pictured Lee Child’s Reacher when I was reading the books. He truly brings the character to life.

While Ritchson’s version of the character talks more than he does in the book – something the TV show needed – the actor does a good job of making audiences not notice this difference too much.

Comparing the TV series Reacher to the movies isn’t really a fair fight. In fact, it’s difficult to find much fault with how Prime Video has adapted the books. While there are a few minor things that could be tweaked, the show generally does an excellent job of staying true to the source material while also being a compelling television series. Some of the changes made, like making Frances Neagley a main character, actually enhance the story.

Reacher’s Standalone Seasons Make It Perfect For A Weekend Binge

With three seasons of eight episodes each, Reacher seems like a lot to watch in just a weekend. Even a dedicated fan would find it tough to get through all 24 episodes – each around 40 to 60 minutes long – in two days without getting seriously tired.

One of the best things about the Reacher series is that each season adapts a different book by Lee Child, meaning each one tells its own complete story. Because of this, you can watch the three seasons in any order you like. You don’t need to watch season 1 or 2 before starting with season 3, unlike many other action-thriller shows.

The show’s self-contained stories make Reacher incredibly easy to binge-watch. You can easily watch four episodes on Saturday and another four on Sunday, finishing a whole season on Prime Video in just one weekend. And with two seasons available, you’ll have your next few weekends covered!

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2026-02-14 19:38