The Night Agent is often seen as Netflix‘s answer to Prime Video’s Reacher, but a better Reacher replacement on Netflix would be a TV sequel to a brilliant Neo-Western movie.
Prime Video is undoubtedly the leader among all streaming services when it comes to “dad shows.” It not only has prestige crime thrillers like Bosch under its belt but is also the home for critically and commercially successful action thriller shows like Reacher, Cross, and Ballard.
Netflix seems far behind Prime Video in the “dad show” race, but the streamer’s The Night Agent easily ranks among the better action thrillers of modern times. This is why The Night Agent is considered a decent alternative to Reacher. However, Netflix has the opportunity to have its perfect Reacher replacement by turning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes movie into a TV franchise.
Netflix’s Best Reacher Replacement Would Be Rebel Ridge’s TV Sequel
Rebel Ridge is easily one of the best action thrillers on Netflix right now. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, the movie features a Jack Reacher-esque lone-wolf protagonist, Terry Richmond, who arrives in a new town, hoping to bail his brother out of prison. Things, however, soon take a dark turn when local law enforcers unjustly seize his bail money.
Like Jack Reacher, Terry initially shows patience and tries to avoid trouble. Despite having a solid background in the Marines, he holds himself back from using force against corrupt law enforcement. When they keep pushing him, though, he decides to take things into his own hands and gives the local cops a taste of their own medicine.
Like Jack Reacher, Terry Richmond carries himself with a stoic demeanor and does not let his circumstances affect him. When things get rough, he calmly sets out to find the truth about what the local law enforcers are hiding instead of jumping right into action. Aaron Pierre also does a brilliant job of capturing Terry’s calm intensity throughout the film.
Rebel Ridge‘s ending is also fairly ambiguous, leaving viewers asking for more. The movie can perfectly be translated to the TV format, where, like Reacher, Terry could arrive in a new town in each season and face off against corrupt criminal or legal forces that run them. A Rebel Ridge TV show would be Netflix’s perfect answer to Prime Video’s Reacher.
Rebel Ridge’s Terry Richmond Is As Fascinating As Jack Reacher (If Not More)
In a lot of ways, Terry Richmond is even more fascinating as a character than Jack Reacher. He seems far more composed and patient in the face of danger and, despite being overpowered, he never lashes out at his enemies. Instead, he always uses minimal amount of required force to get the job done.
Unlike Reacher, which thrives on action, Rebel Ridge is built on tension and restraint. The movie, too, has some explosive action scenes, but it gradually builds up to them before delivering a satisfying payoff. A Rebel Ridge TV show could replicate the movie’s formula and give Netflix the perfect Reacher replacement it needs.
