Published May 1, 2026, 11:45 AM EDT
Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who frequently covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, horror, and superheroes. Their specialty is onscreen book adaptations. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.
They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review for Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.
In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.
Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.
This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS for Man on Fire, descriptions of violence, and discussions of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Denzel Washington and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II have both portrayed John Creasy in Man on Fire, raising the question of which actor is better in the role. When Netflix announced Man on Fire, it was met with skepticism.
A.J. Quinnell’s books have been adapted for the screen twice. While the 1987 movie has mostly been forgotten, Denzel Washington’s 2004 movie is absolutely beloved by audiences, holding an 89% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes
Even though Netflix’s Man on Fire and the 2004 movie share only tangential connections, critics and audiences alike are comparing the two versions of the story. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is how Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s version of John Creasy compares to Denzel Washington’s version of the character. Both actors are incredible at what they do.
Washington is a 2-time Oscar winner who has earned a reputation for his likability and versatility on screen. Meanwhile, Abdul-Mateen started acting in 2017 and has a 2020 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role as Cal Abar/Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s Watchmen. He has gained a reputation for taking on legacy roles in movies and TV shows.
Now that Man on Fire is out on Netflix, we can determine who is the better John Creasy.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Makes John Creasy's Trauma Feel More Real In Netflix's Man On Fire
Juan Rosas/Netflix © 2024One of the most critical parts of John Creasy’s story is that he experienced a traumatic incident that has lasting symptoms. He starts the story at such a low point that it makes his emotional growth all the more fulfilling. Both highlight Creasy’s difficult past. They both show him drinking and attempting to die by suicide. However, that’s where the exploration ends in Denzel Washington’s 2004 movie. It’s a bit reductive.
Luckily, Kyle Killen and Steven Caple Jr., the creator and executive producer, set out to show John Creasy’s trauma as deeper and more complex in Netflix's Man on Fire. Caple told Comicbook.com, “As much as he is drinking here and there, it wasn’t just a movie or a show solely about alcoholism or a drug or any kind of substance.” This key difference gave Yahya Abdul-Mateen II so much more to work with.
Abdul-Mateen really made the most of this. When Creasy had flashbacks and nightmares, he didn’t just have a look of sheer terror on his face. His body contracted, tightening his muscles reflexively. He displayed palpable panic as he froze or fainted. He even showed the distant, detached look of dissociation early on. His portrayal was so convincing and intense that I had to take a few breaks to emotionally regulate.
Unfortunately, Denzel Washington's depiction of trauma felt less convincing. He didn’t get as many opportunities to show Creasy’s internal experience after trauma. He does his best to inject the character with quiet anger and pain. However, he was stunted by writing choices outside his control.
Based on Washington’s performances in Fences and John Q, I’m confident he would have been capable of handling a meatier trauma storyline. That doesn’t change the fact that Abdul-Mateen unarguably wins out in this category.
Denzel Washington Has More Chemistry With His Young Co-Star
John Creasy and his young friend, named Pita in the 2004 movie and Poe in the Netflix show, are the heart of both storylines. In both cases, Creasy transforms as a character because of the young girl and then fights for her. This makes the chemistry between the leads extremely important.
While both pairs are compelling, Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning have the better dynamic because they are given more uninterrupted time to develop their bond. The entire first hour of the movie was dedicated to them and only them. They had bonding moments over a longer period.
By the time they separated, Washington’s Creasy displayed this fatherly love for Pita. He had a warmth with her. Plus, both Washington and Fanning have a magnetic quality, creating a strong push-and-pull. Metaphorically, when one moved, the other moved along with them. There was this intrinsic connection.
On the other hand, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Billie Boullet didn’t get the dedicated time to develop a connection. Their bonding moments were scattered among long periods apart and fight sequences. It took a lot longer for them to feel connected, and when they did have a really sweet moment, they were separated again within a few scenes.
The writing undercut the great chemistry between Abdul-Mateen and Boullet. What’s more, they shifted back and forth between protector-protectee and mentor-mentee. The inconsistent dynamic made it harder to invest in them. They felt connected, but they didn’t have that same push-and-pull feeling that makes Washington and Fanning’s performances so special.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Creasy Is More Threatening Than Washington's Creasy
Both Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Denzel Washington play a convincing “angel of death.” They excel at creating quiet, seething anger. Frankly, I would call this category a tie if it were based solely on the actors. Unfortunately, Washington comes across as significantly less threatening because of the movie’s weird, frenetic editing style. I’ll use two parallel scenes as an example.
In both the movie and TV show, there is a scene where Creasy dismembers the fingers of a tied-up man. The camera lingered on Abdul-Mateen whenever he said something threatening. It had a closer zoom, allowing the audience to take in the facial expression. In contrast, the movie frequently cuts back and forth between Washington, the victim, and the hands. We get less from the main actor’s physicality, leaving us to determine his emotions from his voice.
Similarly, both versions include a scene in which Creasy makes an explosive and places it inside a person being interrogated. It’s one of the most iconic scenes from the 2004 movie. However, the film frequently features extreme close-ups at three-fourths of a profile from slightly above. What’s more, the framing makes it so the audience can only see half of Washington’s face.
In contrast, the Netflix original show includes a mix of angles and distances as he inserts the blasting cap. However, they linger on Abdul-Mateen’s face when he’s making threatening statements. The combination of his inflection and his facial expression makes him feel more menacing.
Denzel Washington & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Have Equally Convincing Action Sequences
Most of the categories compare the quieter, more emotional aspects of acting, but it can’t be forgotten that Man on Fire is an action-thriller story. As such, it matters just as much whether Denzel Washington and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II can give a strong performance in the physically demanding moments.
Ahead of the role, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II went through extensive elite tactical gun training to make sure he could perform as many of his own stunts as possible. This process was outlined with Sports Illustrated.
A few online publications stated that Denzel Washington worked with advanced weapons training specialists, though I could not find a reliable source to back that up. However, it is possible, since he has trained with experts for movies like The Equalizer 3 (via The Guardian) and is known for doing most of his own stunts.
While Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Denzel Washington did many of their own stunts, Kofi Yiadom and Robert Powell, respectively, served as their stunt doubles.
Ultimately, the dedication of both actors is noticeable in the action sequences. There is a big difference between performing choreography and acting while performing choreography. They successfully execute the stunts while conveying John Creasy's emotions as he fights. There is emotion in their movement.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Barely) Beats Out Denzel Washington As The Best John Creasy In Man On Fire
Taking everything into consideration, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is a better John Creasy than Denzel Washington. However, that shouldn't be taken as any kind of slight towards the previous Creasy actor. Both Abdul-Mateen and Washington give incredible performances. They each lift up their respective adaptations of Man on Fire.
There’s no way to know who would have won out if they were on an even playing field. However, they weren’t. Denzel Washington would always be at a disadvantage due to the writing and cinematography. Frankly, it is a testament to his acting abilities that he delivered such a memorable performance despite creative choices beyond his control.
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