Netflix has dropped all seven episodes of its new television adaptation of Man on Fire, a reboot of the 2004 film starring Denzel Washington. The series, based on A.J. Quinnell's 1980 novel, features Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Watchmen) as the tormented bodyguard John Creasy.
Plot and Cast
In this seven-part series, John Creasy is a former special forces soldier struggling with civilian life and post-traumatic stress from a failed mission. He is recruited by his former superior, played by Bobby Cannavale (reprising Christopher Walken's film role), to protect a 16-year-old girl in Rio de Janeiro. The girl, portrayed by Billie Boullet (replacing Dakota Fanning), is the daughter of a wealthy Italian family whose loved ones have been killed. This assignment forces John to confront his past and embark on a revenge mission through the Rio favelas, assembling a team of renegades.
Critical Reception
The series has garnered positive reviews, particularly for Abdul-Mateen's performance. Variety praised the cast and narrative but noted that the series stays within genre conventions, making it a solid but unexceptional binge. The Guardian described scenes that make viewers 'wince, flinch and clench.' The original film holds a 39% Rotten Tomatoes score, leaving room for improvement.
Streaming Availability
All episodes of Man on Fire are now available to stream on Netflix.
