Netflix #1 Show Is an Uneven Adaptation of the Cult Action Thriller Only Fans of the Book Must Watch

Netflix premiered the series Man on Fire, a new adaptation of A. J. Quinnell's book series about retired military officer John Creasy.

Showrunner Kyle Killen's project attempts to avoid the pitfalls of Tony Scott's movie of the same name and ventures into the territory of a serious drama about PTSD. However, at times, it still slips back into the chaotic and problematic aesthetic of the mid-2000s.

Man on Fire ultimately took the top spot on Netflix, but it's far from a surefire hit.

What Is 'Man on Fire' About?

John Creasy is a former Special Forces soldier and CIA specialist. He experiences a personal tragedy when his entire unit is killed during a routine mission. Creasy is left with a terrible sense of guilt, severe PTSD, and no career prospects.

Four years later, John is still haunted by nightmares – he is addicted to pills and alcohol and is contemplating suicide. At his lowest point, his former colleague Paul approaches him and offers Creasy a job with the Brazilian government.

John finds himself in Rio de Janeiro. The skyscraper where Paul's family lives becomes a terrorist target. Paul's daughter is the only surviving witness. Creasy intends to not only deliver his friend's daughter to safety, but also to eliminate everyone involved in the attack.

A Profound Drama About PTSD Is Interrupted by an Unrealistic Superman Sequences

Man on Fire exists on two planes. On the one hand, it is a serious drama about a broken man who copes with trauma by caring for a teenage girl.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II completely controls this plot, transforming John into a complex, three-dimensional character whose path to destruction began with his own life.

On the other hand, it's a pseudo-realistic action show about Superman behind enemy lines. Chaotic editing reminiscent of the Jason Bourne films punctuates this aspect of the series – dozens of extras die in agony, and an entire plane is destroyed during a skirmish with bandits.

'Man on Fire' Would Have Worked Much Better as a Feature Film Than as a Series

The biggest drawback of Man on Fire is its multi-episode format and, more precisely, Netflix's traditionally careless approach to running time.

What would have been a fast-paced, action-packed thriller in a feature film has become a layering of subplots and filler because the story is stretched across seven episodes.

Man on Fire is a textbook example of a modern streaming adaptation. It adds mildly suspenseful psychological depth to a familiar plot, tacking on unbridled action and packaging it all into a multi-episode format that encourages fragmented attention.

While it's easy to criticize Man on Fire, there's also something to love. When the show relies on Abdul-Mateen II's charisma and reveals the character's personality, the author's voice truly shines through. However, as soon as Killen remembers he's also making an action show, the chaos begins.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Man on Fire'?

• Man on Fire has 59% from critics and 65% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.8/10.