Netflix viewers have hailed a new action series as one of the "best" ever on the streaming platform, after it shattered records to become the most-watched show of the week.
'Man on Fire' Dominates Netflix Charts
The binge-worthy series, titled Man on Fire, is an adaptation of the book series by A.J. Quinnell. It has drawn comparisons to the 2004 film starring Denzel Washington, which many consider one of his finest performances.
Since its release on Netflix last month, the show has followed the journey of John Creasy, a former Special Forces mercenary battling severe PTSD. The official synopsis explains: "Based on A.J. Quinnell's book series, Man on Fire tells the story of John Creasy. Once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy is now plagued with intense PTSD. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life, he finds himself back in the fire, fighting harder than ever."
Record-Breaking Viewership
According to Netflix's Tudum data, Man on Fire Season 1 claimed the top spot in the global top 10 during the week of April 27 to May 3, amassing around 11 million views and 61 million hours watched. The series retained its number one position for the following week, between May 4 and May 10, drawing in an impressive 12.6 million views. Having topped the charts for a fortnight, it remains to be seen whether the show will continue its remarkable run.
Fan and Critic Reactions
The series has proven a firm favourite with audiences. One Reddit user wrote: "This show was pretty binge-worthy." Another commented on social media: "Man on fire is so good, might have to watch it twice." On IMDb, a reviewer noted: "Man on Fire is a must watch for any action fan. I couldn't get enough of this series, so much so that I'm binging through it as fast as possible." Another added: "I loved the movie this was based on with Denzel Washington, so I had reservations that this wouldn't live up to my expectations, but Man on Fire is every bit as good as I had hoped for... better in fact. It's filled with enough drama and action to make each episode as entertaining as the next." A third contributor stated: "Denzel Washington is one of my favourite actors and Man On Fire is one of my favourite movies. This series has very little in it to use the name. However, as a stand-alone mini-series it's one of the best things I've ever seen on Netflix."
Other Strong Performers
Also performing strongly on Netflix is the true crime documentary series Should I Marry a Murderer?, which spent a fortnight in the top 10, accumulating 8 million views between May 4 and May 10, following its previous week's performance of 10.6 million views.
Man on Fire Season 1 is available to stream on Netflix.
