Even Child was disappointed with Cruise’s sequel Never Go Back, which was a financial dud in 2016. The property really found its footing with Prime’s Reacher, where Alan Ritchson inherited the role. The TV format allows for more in-depth adaptations of the often plotty books, and Ritchson is spot-on casting in the title role.
Rebel Ridge Does A Better Job Adapting Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Than The Official Movie
One trend that popped up soon after Reacher’s success were the imitations on the big and small screens. This includes shows like Prime’s own The Terminal List, The Night Agent and Rebel Ridge. The latter is the best of the bunch, being one of Netflix’s best original action thrillers, and fronted by a starmaking turn from Aaron Pierre.
The movie has a Jack Reacher-like premise of a hulking, stoic badass riding through a small town minding his business, where he makes enemies with a corrupt sheriff. Pierre’s ex-Marine character then uses his considerable skill set to take down the department while trying to keep new friend Summer (AnnaSophia Robb) safe.
There are many ways Rebel Ridge and the Jack Reacher saga connect, from their hypercompetent protagonists who rarely speak to dealing with a small-town conspiracy. In a way, Netflix’s actioner feels closer in spirit to Child’s 18th novel, Never Go Back, than the actual movie version did.
The specifics may differ, but they both feature their heroes going on the run after uncovering a huge conspiracy inside a corrupt bureaucracy. The Jack Reacher: Never Go Back novel made one notable change to its title character though: he doesn’t kill anyone.
Rebel Ridge Holds True To Never Go Back’s No Kill Rule
Child liked to set himself a narrative challenge with each new book, and for Never Go Back, he decided Jack wouldn’t take a life. This is partly to impress his new love interest Turner, but it adds an intriguing dynamic to the story. Reacher still beats up a lot of dudes, naturally, but he never gives into his bloodlust.
In addition to finding the Never Go Back movie too glossy, Child disliked how it dropped the “no-kill” rule of the source material. Cruise’s Reacher kills about six people in the sequel, and while that’s not a huge kill count, it completely dismisses Child’s intention. Rebel Ridge, however, sees Terry using non-lethal methods throughout.
His skill set is focused on de-escalation of conflict, and when that fails, disarming an opponent. This gives the action a unique edge, since instead of shooting people or breaking necks, Terry is always looking to disarm and neutralize. That’s another element that makes Rebel Ridge feel closer to Child’s book than the actual Jack Reacher 2.
In truth, Never Go Back isn’t one of Child’s best books, but it’s still far superior to its sluggish movie version. That’s especially true when comparing the sequel to Rebel Ridge, which, in contrast, is filled with great performances and taut suspense. It’s not overloaded with action, but when it arrives, it hits hard and is extremely cathartic.