Netflix presents “Man on Fire,” an action thriller adapted for television by Kyle Killen from A. J. Quinnell’s 1980 novel. The series brings the character of John Creasy to TV screens, a role previously played by Scott Glenn in a 1987 film and famously by Denzel Washington in Tony Scott’s 2004 version alongside Dakota Fanning. In this adaptation, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II takes on the persona of the vengeful ex-CIA operative driven by a thirst for revenge. The show draws from Quinnell’s second Creasy novel, “The Perfect Kill.” While the series offers solid performances, it lacks the emotional depth and suspense that made its predecessor a fan favorite.
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The initial season, comprising seven episodes, begins by setting the scene in Mexico City. John Creasy, portrayed by Abdul-Mateen II, is at the helm of a mission that should run smoothly. With his team poised to capture their target, his superior, Henry Tappan (played by Scoot McNairy), awaits confirmation from the CIA headquarters. However, the operation turns disastrous when Creasy and his team face an unexpected ambush, leading to a brutal massacre.
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Fast forward four years, a troubled and sweaty Creasy awakens from a nightmare. Once calm and collected, he now battles with agitation, alcoholism, and self-loathing. Although he goes through the motions at his warehouse job, his life is unraveling. A drunken crash lands him in a hospital, where he encounters his former superior, Paul Rayburn (Bobby Cannavale). With little left to lose, Creasy accepts Rayburn’s offer to work in counterterrorism for the Brazilian government in Rio de Janeiro.
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Welcomed by Rayburn, his wife, and their children, including 16-year-old daughter Poe (Billie Boullet), Creasy struggles to adjust. His skills and anger are reignited when he must escort Poe out of the country discreetly. Burdened by his own grief, Creasy must set aside his demons to protect the girl caught in turmoil. To help him, he leans on Valeria Melo (Alice Braga), a single mother and driver carrying her own emotional scars.
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More than twenty years after the Denzel Washington film, comparisons are inevitable. While Abdul-Mateen II and Boullet deliver strong performances, their connection doesn’t match the chemistry between Washington and Fanning, who played his 10-year-old ward in the movie. Nevertheless, the dynamic between Creasy and Poe is a standout of the series. Yet, as the narrative progresses, it becomes overly complex, detracting from the emotional moments that could have elevated it beyond typical action thrillers.
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The visual portrayal of Rio de Janeiro is one of the series’ striking features. Creasy and the Rayburn family reside in a wealthy area surrounded by towering condos. The show also explores the favelas, low-income neighborhoods nestled in the hills, contrasting with the gleaming skyscrapers of the affluent. This setting echoes the atmosphere of Fernando Meirelles’ 2002 film “City of God,” capturing the city’s diverse energy in full.
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With Abdul-Mateen II delivering a compelling performance as a man driven by loyalty and vengeance, “Man on Fire” is a competent series. The cast performs well, and the storyline holds up within the action genre. However, it sticks to expected formulas without becoming particularly exceptional. For viewers seeking a standard Netflix binge, the series serves its purpose adequately.
“Man on Fire” is now streaming on Netflix.
