Amazon Prime's action series Reacher has released the first three episodes of its fourth season, drawing early critical praise and an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score. The show stars Alan Ritchson as the titular Jack Reacher, a former military policeman who stumbles into a conspiracy involving corrupt politicians and a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia.
New Season Premise
In the opening episodes, Reacher encounters a woman crying on a subway train who then shoots herself, pulling him into a web of intrigue. The season adapts Lee Child's novel Gone Tomorrow, with showrunner Nick Santora at the helm. The familiar mix of brutal action and dry one-liners is present, as Reacher uses his physical prowess and sharp wit to navigate the case.
Critical Reception
Reviews have been largely positive, with some calling it a return to form. A review from Roger Ebert's website said it 'might be the best yet,' praising its 'compelling cases, brutal high-octane action, three-dimensional characters with stakes, killer quips and a lead who straddles the four quadrants like a deadpan yet sexy and highly skilled blend of Batman and the Punisher.' The Radio Times awarded the season five stars, noting that 'Reacher enhances all the elements that action-thriller fans love about the series, using its tropes and style to peak effect.'
Series Background
The first season premiered in February 2022 to modest reception but became the first Amazon original to top Nielsen's streaming ratings the week after its premiere. Tom Cruise previously played the character in films, but Ritchson's portrayal has been widely ranked among the best action series of all time. Some critics, however, suggest the formula may be growing stale, though many others disagree.
