Netflix’s ‘Man On Fire’ Review: A Worthy Reboot, Mostly

Warning: This story contains spoilers for Netflix’s “Man on Fire.”

There’s a new “Man on Fire” in town, and it’s bringing all the heat to our TV screens.

This week, Netflix rolled out its series adaptation of A.J. Quinnell’s acclaimed 1980 novel of the same name, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stepping into the role of the notorious John Creasy. Unlike in past reboots, such as in Denzel Washington’s unforgettable turn in Tony Scott’s 2004 film (and the lesser-known 1987 film adaptation starring Scott Glenn), this story expands Quinnell’s source material into a gutsy, seven-part revenge thriller set against the backdrop of Brazil.

In this reimagined version, adapted by Kyle Killen, Creasy is portrayed as a deeply scarred former CIA operative battling PTSD. After a devastating incident forces him back into the line of fire, he embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance, only to find himself entangled in a far-reaching political conspiracy.

The series wastes no time establishing his broken state: a mission gone wrong left Creasy’s entire team dead, making him the lone survivor burdened by the trauma. Years later, still in despair, a drunken Creasy attempts to end his life by crashing his car, only to wake up in a hospital with his former superior and old friend, Paul Rayburn (Bobby Cannavale), at his side.

Offered a second chance, Creasy reluctantly agrees to start over in Rio de Janeiro, living with Rayburn’s family while taking on work with the Brazilian government. But his fresh start quickly takes a turn when Rayburn’s daughter, Poe (Billie Boullet), survives a deadly bombing and becomes a key witness in need of protection.

From there, the story follows Creasy and Poe as they’re forced on the run, pursued by dangerous enemies who want them both dead. Along the way, they assemble an unlikely team — well-connected cab driver Melo (Alice Braga), her sensitive cousin Livro (Jefferson Baptista), and street-savvy gang member Vico (Iago Xavier) — to help them survive as they work to uncover the truth behind the bombing and its ties to the highest levels of government.

The series also stars Scoot McNairy, Thomás Aquino, Alex Ozerov-Meyer, Billy Blanco Jr., Bruno Suzano, Pâmela Germano and Rei Black.

While parts of Netflix’s “Man on Fire” may feel familiar (or come off as a cheap knock-off of Washington’s iconic portrayal, as some critics have complained), Abdul-Mateen II’s powerhouse performance as the ruthless, hardened anti-hero still anchors an otherwise action-packed series.

Below, here’s a closer look at what else “Man on Fire” gets right (and wrong), from how it stacks up against prior adaptations to what makes its new leading man so compelling.

From the moment we meet Abdul-Mateen II’s Creasy, it’s clear he’s about to take us on a wild ride. His backstory is rooted in the trauma of losing his entire CIA team under his command, a burden that ultimately drives him away from the agency and into depression. In the present, he’s a stony, emotionally distant veteran who prefers to operate alone, which Abdul-Mateen II plays up well in setting up his redemption arc once he’s forced to let down his guard and rely on others again.

The series doesn’t always do a stellar job of balancing Creasy’s mental state (he often freezes up when hit with a flashback of his deceased team) with all the chaos he’s surrounded by, but the few glimpses we do get into his inner world are some of Abdul-Mateen II’s best scenes, in my opinion.

As an action star, Abdul-Mateen II is undeniably magnetic in his take on John Creasy. He may not mirror Washington’s version exactly, but I’d argue that he doesn’t need to in order to make this show a compelling watch. He’s just as convincing in his ruthless pursuit of justice, and equally as brutal as he methodically takes down his adversaries across the series’ seven episodes. The actor’s performance is especially effective in his character’s loyalty-driven mission for revenge as he vows to protect Poe at any and all costs — even if it means sacrificing himself.

Taking on such an iconic role isn’t easy, especially after someone like Washington made audiences so attached to his “Man on Fire.” Still, Abdul-Mateen II proves that he put in the work to honor the film and Quinnell’s novel while making this character his own.

Critics have been quick to draw comparisons between Netflix’s “Man on Fire” and the fan-favorite 2004 film, with many still preferring the latter. Although both projects pull from Quinnell’s 1980 novel, Netflix’s version also incorporates elements from its 1992 follow-up, “The Perfect Kill,” offering a different interpretation that weaves in a few recognizable nods — particularly for fans of Washington’s movie.

In this take, Abdul-Mateen II’s Creasy travels abroad and ultimately steps into a bodyguard role of sorts when Poe becomes a target, similar to the arc of Washington’s Creasy, who was assigned to protect Dakota Fanning’s Pita before her kidnapping. The new series does include a kidnapping plot of its own, though it’s a bit more layered, as Poe is briefly taken hostage because she witnessed who supervised the bombing.

According to a ScreenRant interview with director Steven Caple Jr., several more of these subtle Easter eggs are sprinkled throughout the show as a tribute to Scott and his work. Fortunately, this adaptation doesn’t try to replicate every single beat of its predecessor. Sure, it may be similar, but it’s still a fresh enough take that audiences can appreciate.

One of the most striking aspects of the show isn’t just Abdul-Mateen II’s performance, but the way the series brings Rio de Janeiro to life as more than a mere backdrop for the action. It takes us deep into the favelas (the city’s low-income communities) to spotlight the local people, who also play a vital role in the story.

The relationship between Creasy and Poe is also another standout. It’s not the same tender bond that Washington’s Creasy and Pita had, built from the former coaching the young girl for her swim meets or spending quality time with her. However, Poe and Abdul-Mateen II’s Creasy have both endured devastating losses, and that shared trauma draws them closer as they rely on each other to survive. It’s this emotional dynamic that propels Creasy through his most dangerous challenges to protect Poe, giving us another reason to root for him.

At a certain point, every episode of “Man on Fire” starts to feel like its own mini-movie, weighed down by so many overly intricate subplots that it’s hard to keep up. The series doesn’t truly find its footing until the final stretch, when the real culprits behind the bombing mystery finally come into focus. Even then, though, it feels like the show could’ve cut out some of the antagonists pursuing Poe to reach that point more efficiently.

In the end, “Man on Fire” makes for a solid binge if you’re in the mood for a more expansive story. Still, Washington’s version is likely to remain the definitive adaptation, even if the series gets another season to prove itself.

“Man on Fire” clearly positions itself to continue in the final moments of the finale, as Creasy is handed a new assignment in Mexico City that calls for his particular skill set — seemingly a callback to the team he lost there in the series opener.

It’s evident that Killen and the creative team have bigger plans for Abdul-Mateen II’s Creasy that could warrant a second season. There’s just the question of who will return alongside him. Either way, it leaves plenty of reason to look forward to seeing him back in action.

All episodes of “Man on Fire” are now streaming on Netflix.