Netflix’s Divisive Remake of an Action Thriller Classic Is an Instant Streaming Hit

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It’s tough for a new TV show to succeed when it’s based on a beloved book and movie series. Viewers already have strong ideas about what they expect and love about the original story, making it hard for the show to measure up. That’s why it’s so impressive that this series is doing so well – it’s currently the second most-watched show on Netflix.

While the original Man on Fire is a beloved and critically acclaimed action film featuring a standout performance by Denzel Washington, a new series with the same name recently debuted on Netflix. Despite mixed reviews from critics (currently at 55%), the show is proving popular with viewers and quickly rising in the streaming charts. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the series follows a Special Forces veteran, John Creasy, as he protects a teenage girl in Rio de Janeiro after her family is killed in a terrorist attack. General audiences give it a more favorable 73% rating.

Was a New Man on Fire Necessary?

Honestly, it doesn’t really feel like the Man on Fire I know and love. Everyone online seems to be gobbling it up, though – it’s easy to watch and keeps you hooked, even if it’s wildly different from the book and the movie. That’s a big complaint from fans like me! I saw one person on Reddit put it perfectly: they’re a few episodes in, and it feels like the show just borrowed the name and the character of Creasy. They think it’s a classic case of a streaming service buying a popular title and then deciding to tell a completely different story with it. And you know what? I’m kind of enjoying it despite that!

Although Manteen capably steps into Washington’s former role, critics generally don’t see much else to praise. Many feel the talented cast is underused, as the story doesn’t allow them to truly shine. As critic Kaiya Shunyata puts it, the characters never reach their full potential due to a weak script, and the action sequences are so uninspired they’re almost pointless. Despite attracting viewers likely due to its title, Man on Fire isn’t impressing critics or audiences and seems unlikely to sustain long-term success.

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2026-05-02 20:40