Phil Roberts 
Reacher Season 3 is another gripping rollercoaster ride of brilliance from Alan Ritchson. In an investigation, assumptions kill…and here, Alan Ritchson is killing it!
After two thrilling seasons, it’s time to dive back into the world of Reacher. With his physical presence and weighted, well-layered character building, Alan Ritchson has done a fantastic job bringing this character to life, and fans can’t get enough of Lee Child’s iconic hero. With Season Three promising a more personal storyline than previous ones, we’re all wondering if the latest episodes—based on Child’s seventh book, Persuader—can give us another wild ride of excitement. Or should Reacher find the nearest deli, order a coffee, and take five?
REVIEW
Fear not, Reacher fans, because Season 3 is another gripping rollercoaster ride of brilliance from Alan Ritchson. As advertised, the season is far more intimate than previous seasons, allowing Ritchson to add more depth to Lee Child’s hero and reward him with his first genuine nemesis. Although his usual sidekicks play a muted role this time around, their backstep allows Jack Reacher to return to the forefront of the story and emerge as the brilliant strategist he is, relying on his own instincts and lethal skillset to survive – and the combination is nothing short of spectacular.
The showrunners have identified where the formula works and have doubled down on delivering more of what we love. Coupled with a gripping and authentic retelling of Lee Child’s novel, the series serves up nine thrilling episodes layered with intrigue, suspense, and action that hits the mark. Just like the other seasons, this one gives us a ton more backstory that really adds depth to Reacher’s character. By the end, the third season has everything we could ask for and then some. There’s more Reacher, tons of action, great storytelling, and plenty of witty one-liners. It’s nine hours of engaging TV that offers some of the best entertainment we’ve seen this year.
IN AN INVESTIGATION…ASSUMPTIONS KILL
Like the past couple of seasons, this new story jumps in sometime after we last saw Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson). This time, Reacher gets mixed up with Zachary Beck (Anthony Michael Hall), a wealthy rug importer, and his son, Richard (Johnny Berchtold). What the Becks don’t realize is that Reacher is working undercover with the DEA thanks to Susan Duffy (Sonya Cassidy). On top of that, Reacher is also on the hunt for Francis Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee), a guy from his past with some unfinished business to settle. However, the deeper Reacher digs into the nefarious dealings of Becks’ business, the deeper the mystery becomes, and soon, he finds himself embedded in an organization far more sinister than he was prepared for.
This sudden shift affords Ritchson time to explore Reacher’s less obvious character traits. Instead of relying on his imposing physicality, he is forced to use discretion and showcase the renowned detective abilities that made him revered in the Army. Following the trail of breadcrumbs, all roads lead back to Francis Xavier Quinn, and soon, Reacher and his DEA colleagues find themselves on a collision course with this ghost from Reacher’s past.
SONYA CASSIDY
Aligning Reacher with DEA agent Susan Duffy is a bold move, especially considering the popularity of his elite investigative team from season two. Rather than detracting from the storyline, this shift allows the series to delve into new characters and develop fresh relationships, proving much more rewarding than simply revisiting familiar territory. While Frances Neagley, portrayed by the ever-present Maria Sten, appears throughout the season and gets involved in the action, her role here is notably more subdued than last season.
Franchise newcomer Sonya Cassidy makes a bold entrance as DEA Agent Susan Duffy, quickly leaving her mark on the season. As the episodes unfold, her motivations become more apparent, revealing a relatable and dependable character. This relatability deepens during her interactions with Reacher, where the undeniable chemistry between Cassidy and Ritchson steals the spotlight. The palpable sexual tension between them leaps off the screen whenever they share scenes. Their connection not only enriches the storyline but also becomes a key element as the season progresses.
ALAN RITCHSON
Although Cassidy elevates the series alongside her DEA co-stars Guillermo Villanueva and Steven Elliot, the focal point, as always, is Alan Ritchson. Throughout the past two seasons, Ritchson has delivered a masterclass performance as Lee Child’s iconic character, and he’s back in top form this season. In the third installment, his portrayal is stoic and deserving of admiration. While Tom Cruise brought Reacher to life on the big screen, he never quite captured the character’s essence as fully as Ritchson does. Ritchson embodies Reacher; his interpretation over these two seasons has been nothing short of spectacular. In the third season, he carries the story on his broad shoulders and doesn’t miss a single step.
Rumors have been buzzing about the possibility of him taking on the role of DC’s new Batman, and considering his impressive development over the three seasons of “Reacher,” I would strongly encourage James Gunn to bring him on board. Ritchson’s charisma seems to shine brighter with each episode, and he consistently showcases his versatility by transcending the typical character tropes and witty one-liners. His performances carry a depth and gravity that is hard to find. It’s rare for an actor to elevate an author’s material beyond what’s written. But, Ritchson manages to uncover the nuances within the text, propelling his character beyond mere surface-level traits to give us something tangible.
NEMESIS
Highlighting this point is Reacher’s formidable new rival, Paul “Paulie” van Hoven, portrayed by Olivier Richters. While the previous seasons were impressive, they often depicted Reacher as an unstoppable force. In season three, however, Ritchson is given a nemesis who matches him in strength and actually towers over him in size. Richters truly stands out in this remarkable role, considering his relatively limited screen time.
Their interactions intensify the rivalry from the first episode to the climactic finale, culminating in thrilling confrontations. Watching our hero reevaluate his usual methods and embrace a fresh perspective is especially refreshing. As noted earlier, these moments allow Ritchson’s abilities to shine, and viewers appreciate his range even more throughout the season.
SUPPORTING CAST
Fortunately, it’s not just Olivier Richters who shines in his supporting role; Anthony Michael Hall also makes a significant impact as the subtle villain Zachary Beck. While his character is meant to portray the head of a criminal organization, Hall skillfully brings depth to the role, uncovering its complex layers and revealing vulnerabilities that allow us to empathize with him. Much of this character development is tied to his relationship with his son, Richard (Johnny Berchtold). The father-son dynamic remains a central theme throughout the story, prompting us to consider how far a parent would go to safeguard their child.
Rounding out the cast, we have the ever-reliable Brian Tee, who brilliantly brings Francis Xavier Quinn to life. Much like the first season, Reacher finds himself personally invested in the DEA’s investigation, with Francis Xavier Quinn emerging as a ghost from Reacher’s past. Lee has built a career on portraying some of Hollywood’s most dastardly villains, and with Quinn, he’s struck gold once again. Lee delivers a captivating performance that steals the spotlight, gleefully positioning him as one of Reacher’s most formidable adversaries. Quinn is undeniably a detestable character, and Lee’s portrayal adds another level of brilliance to this stellar season. In the end, it’s the perfect finishing touch to what is yet another solid nine hours of television brilliance.
VERDICT
Overall, Reacher Season 3 is another home run for Alan Ritchson. With directors like Sam Hill, Stephen Surjik, Gary Fleder, and others at the helm, Ritchson has truly mastered this role, elevating it to new heights. The more intimate setting provides an opportunity for deeper character development, marking a significant upgrade from the previous season. The compelling and relatable storyline features well-crafted, edgy characters, and the action sequences deliver all the excitement viewers expect. In short, Reacher Season 3 is another banger well worth adding to your watchlist.
After three gripping seasons, this show shows no signs of slowing down, and with a host of brilliant novels from Lee Child left to explore, the sky is the limit for Jack Reacher.
In an investigation, assumptions kill…and here, Alan Ritchson is killing it!
Reacher Season 3 premieres on Prime Video on February 20th, with new episodes released weekly.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
