Published Feb 20, 2026, 11:30 PM EST
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Prime Video's Reacher might have mastered the art of delivering everything viewers expect from the Lee Child franchise, but it can still learn a thing or two from Netflix's overlooked but brilliant action thriller.
Despite having a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% even after three seasons, Prime Video's Reacher has experienced a few hiccups. While it remains one of the most valuable IPs owned by the streaming service, the show's new installments have struggled to outshine its opening season. Reacher season 4 holds immense potential, but only time will tell how it will turn out.
Although Netflix is not as reliable as Prime Video when it comes to delivering memorable dad shows and movies, it is the streaming home of a compelling action thriller that does one thing even better than Reacher.
Netflix’s Rebel Ridge Masters The Art Of Building Tension
Reacher does not hold back from jumping straight into action. From its early moments itself, it establishes how strong and overpowering its protagonist is by placing him in the middle of prison brawls and confrontational villains. On the surface, Netflix's Rebel Ridge, directed by Jeremy Saulnier, adopts the same narrative formula as Reacher.
It features a mysterious veteran who ends up in a small, unknown town and gets embroiled in a local conspiracy.
However, instead of diving into action in its opening chapter, Rebel Ridge uses restraint and patience to gradually build tension. Its protagonist is hinted to be as overpowered as Jack Reacher with his background in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). However, unlike Reacher, he does not turn into a wrecking ball as soon as he faces injustice.
Realizing how his actions could have consequences, the main character, Terry Richmond, hopes the legal system will help him.
Only when nothing seems to work does Rebel Ridge's main character resort to extreme measures. And even when he unleashes his true capabilities, the film avoids glorifying brute force. His combat skills are controlled, and rooted in discipline rather than rage. This makes his final confrontation with the town's law enforcement even more hard-hitting.
While Reacher's approach towards action has its own appeal, it is hard not to see how, after three seasons, the show could benefit from more subtle tension-building. By introducing more psychological stakes for the Alan Ritchson character, Reacher could bring a more vulnerable and relatable protagonist to viewers.
Reacher Season 4 Could Be More Like Rebel Ridge
Reacher season 4 is adapting Lee Child's Gone Tomorrow. The book's opening itself features a sequence in which Jack Reacher uses his deductive abilities to determine whether a train passenger is a suicide bomber. This sequence in the book masterfully raises tension by showing how Reacher runs a mental checklist to figure out the truth about a passenger he suspects.
Unlike many other Jack Reacher books, Gone Tomorrow features several similar cerebral moments while also not holding back on action.
By adapting Lee Child's Gone Tomorrow, Prime Video's Reacher seems to be taking one step towards becoming more like Rebel Ridge.
Rebel Ridge Deserves Franchise Treatment Like Reacher
Reacher and Rebel Ridge's similarities make it hard not to see how the Jeremy Saulnier movie could also work incredibly well as a franchise. The movie can be followed up with another sequel where Terry Richmond, like Reacher, ends up in a new town and dismantles a new conspiracy with his ability to de-escalate volatile situations, and, when absolutely necessary, neutralize threats.
Unfortunately, Netflix has still not greenlit a Rebel Ridge sequel yet despite its massive franchise potential. While it is unknown whether Rebel Ridge 2 will ever see the light of day, Reacher season 4 could come off as the perfect spiritual successor to the movie if it closely adapts Lee Child's Gone Tomorrow.
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