Tom Cruise’s action sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, once dismissed by critics as “dull”, has become a global hit on Netflix, rising rapidly through the platform’s international rankings. The 2016 film, which follows the 2012 original, sees Cruise return as the former Military Police investigator in a storyline adapted from Lee Child’s bestselling book series. Although the film struggled during its cinematic run, it has secured a new wave of viewers since arriving on the streaming service.
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The plot centres on Reacher’s attempt to uncover the truth after a friend is accused of murder, drawing him into what appears to be a large-scale conspiracy. Despite the popularity of Prime Video’s Reacher series, this sequel failed to replicate that success at the box office, effectively bringing plans for a third film to an end. Nevertheless, it has now climbed to the number two spot on Netflix worldwide, according to data from FlixPatrol, with Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite currently holding the top position.
Critical reception at the time of release was notably harsh. The Standard awarded the film just two stars, describing it as so lacklustre that it made the villains seem appealing by comparison. On Rotten Tomatoes, it still holds a low 37% approval rating from more than 200 reviews, with several critics deeming it generic and unnecessary. Outlets such as Entertainment Weekly questioned the need for the sequel, while others criticised its predictable plot and uninspired tone.
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Director and co-writer Edward Zwick later reflected on the film’s performance in his memoir Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood. He accepted responsibility for the misjudgement, admitting that audiences were ultimately looking for a more traditional Reacher instalment rather than a stylistic blend. Despite its earlier reception, the film’s current success on Netflix demonstrates that viewer interest can shift significantly over time.
