Netflix’s Man on Fire can’t match the Denzel Washington film for one crucial reason

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*Warning: Contains major spoilers for Netflix’s Man on Fire and the 2004 film of the same name.*

Most people referring to “Man on Fire” are thinking of the 2004 movie with Denzel Washington, rather than the original 1980 book by A.J. Quinnell or the 1987 film version starring Scott Glenn.

In Scott’s adaptation, Washington portrays John Creasy, a character previously known as Marcus and Christian in the novel and original film. Creasy is a deeply troubled man, haunted by a difficult past filled with violence as a Marine and CIA operative. He sees a chance for a fresh start when he takes a job in Mexico City.

An old friend and coworker, Paul Rayburn (played brilliantly by Christopher Walken), gets the main character a job protecting a wealthy Mexican businessman and his wife. Their daughter, Pita, a surprisingly self-assured nine-year-old, needs someone to drive her to school, piano lessons, and other activities.

Living in a city plagued by so many kidnappings – twenty-four in just six days – makes you mature quickly. It also makes you desperately seek any connection you can find, and that’s exactly what she does with Creasy.

Pita quickly feels drawn to her newest bodyguard, whom she affectionately compares to a large, gentle bear – she even names her teddy bear after him, calling it ‘Creasy Bear’. Though he tries to maintain distance, she gradually helps him open up, and soon she becomes deeply important to him, perhaps more so than anyone has been in a very long time.

Honestly, there’s a moment where Creasy is about to go over the edge, but then something pulls him back. It happens pretty fast, but Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning are so good, you don’t even notice. Washington is always solid, but Fanning – she was only nine during filming! – just blew me away. She really felt the emotions of the role and delivered a surprisingly mature performance.

It’s a truly selfless love, free from any expectations or pressure – and that feels especially comforting in today’s difficult world. The scenes of people swimming are incredibly heartwarming.

When Pita is kidnapped and the ransom drop is stolen by a dishonest police officer, Creasy’s rage is ignited.

He arrives in Mexico City like a force of destruction, leaving violence everywhere he goes. At first, he’s driven by the belief that Pita has been killed and is seeking revenge, though celebrating him as a hero is problematic given his brutality.

It’s heartbreaking to discover the trail eventually led Creasy to Pita’s father. To think he was the one behind his own daughter’s kidnapping – all to pay off debts! It was a truly shocking and upsetting twist, and honestly, it really got to me.

Once Creasy learns Pita is actually still alive, his quest for revenge shifts into a rescue mission. While predictable, their eventual reunion remains deeply moving—and I say this as someone who recently found myself tearing up while rewatching the film as an adult.

However, I didn’t feel the same way about Netflix’s Man of Fire. The central relationship, which is meant to be the heart of the story, just didn’t feel emotionally impactful.

I’m really excited about this new seven-part thriller! It’s based on the books by Quinnell – there are five in the series, so plenty of material to work with, and it definitely feels like they’re setting things up for more episodes. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who I’ve loved in everything from ‘Wonder Man’ to ‘Aquaman,’ is taking on the role of John Creasy – and thankfully, they’re keeping the character’s name the same! Like the Creasys before him, he’s a former military man now working security for the CIA. It’s a great setup!

He’s moved on from the events of four years ago, when he lost his entire team during a risky operation he planned in Mexico City. The operation, which went wrong in a way reminiscent of the film Man on Fire, resulted in the death of everyone under his command.

He was consumed by guilt and suffered from severe PTSD, leading him to withdraw from the world. He found solace only in alcohol and medication.

Despite his hesitation, he agrees to go to Rio de Janeiro when Paul Rayburn, a former special forces soldier, offers him a security position after a friend tries to take their own life. Paul seems genuinely worried, but our protagonist feels unstable and could leave at any time. However, a shocking event forces him to remain in Brazil.

Ray and his family live in a condo tower that suddenly explodes, killing everyone inside except for his daughter, Poe. She had secretly gone to a party and was just returning when the building was destroyed, taking her whole family with it. This is one of the few truly compelling scenes in the show.

Her troubles don’t stop there, though. Poe identified one of the people pulling the strings, and now they want her gone. This gives Creasy a clear mission, and actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II portrays his sorrow and determination with impressive depth and sincerity. The show’s problems aren’t with this storyline, but with other aspects of the production.

Though not a perfect film, Man on Fire has a lot going for it. The strong performances, particularly from the leads, and the unexpected plot twist are definite highlights. Director Tony Scott’s style is also effective – it’s raw, intense, and keeps the audience feeling Creasy’s anger and suffering.

While Will Poulter gives a strong performance and the movie features a couple of exciting action scenes, especially the climax in a hospital, ‘Man on Fire’ largely feels like many other action thrillers on Netflix – unremarkable and lacking in originality.

The writing relies heavily on overused phrases and predictable comparisons, and the characters feel flat. The major plot twist – that the Brazilian president, his security chief, and the CIA agent Creasy trusted were responsible for the bombing – doesn’t have much impact. The series is also visually uninspired. While it doesn’t copy the look of the original film, it lacks a distinct style of its own, and everything – even the action scenes set in the favelas – appears overly polished and artificial.

Although people criticize the upcoming ‘Man on Fire’ remake for many reasons, its biggest weakness is that it doesn’t connect with the audience on an emotional level.

The movie expects us to be upset when Ray and his family are killed, emphasizing his connection with the main character, his support during a difficult time, and the appealing performance by Bobby Cannavale. We’re supposed to share the grief felt by the protagonist and Ray’s daughter, who almost died as well. However, we haven’t known Ray for very long, and we’ve only seen a small part of his relationship with both of them. It’s hard to feel a strong emotional connection given how little time we’ve had to get to know him and care about his fate.

Creasy is dedicated to protecting Poe, no matter the personal cost. While Billie Boullet effectively portrays the fear of being thrown into a terrifying and dangerous situation, the connection between her character and Creasy feels weak. This isn’t due to the actors’ performances, but rather a shortcoming of the writing.

The essential elements for a compelling story are present, and as seen in films like ‘Man on Fire’ (2004), this approach can be very successful, even though it’s a familiar one. When the connection between characters feels genuine and deeply rooted, the tension and importance of the story become incredibly powerful.

However, the way these scenes play out doesn’t quite work. Moments meant to be touching – like the connection formed through remembering a loved one, or Creasy starting to open up – feel forced. Even a key scene where Creasy teaches Poe self-defense, which should be impactful and well-deserved, doesn’t land as strongly as it should, leaving the overall effect feeling empty.

Everyone expects us to feel a particular emotion, and we’re constantly getting cues about how we should be feeling, but we just don’t feel that way.

Naming the series ‘Man on Fire’ might attract attention due to its connection to the popular film, but comparisons to Denzel Washington’s iconic performance aren’t helpful. This new version feels unnecessary and will likely be quickly forgotten, much like the short-lived friendship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

As a movie buff, I just have to tell you – seriously, add Man on Fire to your watchlist using the TopMob app! It’s called ‘What to Watch,’ and it’s amazing. I downloaded it and get daily recommendations, plus all sorts of cool features. You won’t regret it!

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

I’m a big fan of TopMob, and I’ve been following Abby Robinson, their Drama Editor, for a while now. She’s the one who covers all the TV dramas and comedies I love! Before TopMob, she was writing about TV at Digital Spy and creating content for Mumsnet, so she clearly knows her stuff. Plus, she has a strong background in English, with both a degree and a postgraduate diploma – it’s no wonder she’s so good at what she does!

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2026-04-30 14:07