Prime-Video - Jack Reacher Returns: Season 3 Delivers Action, Revenge, and a Dark Past

By Mulder, 19 february 2025

There is a certain satisfaction in watching Jack Reacher do what he does best: dismantling criminal empires with brutal efficiency, a pragmatic attitude and just enough deadpan wit to entertain us between the action scenes. Season 3 of Reacher continues this tradition, adapting the novel Persuader, the seventh book in Lee Child's series, into eight more episodes of relentless action, mystery and silent menace. But this time, a deeper emotional core lurks beneath the surface, a nod to the ghosts of Reacher's past that adds new layers to his already fascinating character.

From the very first minutes, season 3 of Reacher makes it clear that it means business. The first 20 minutes are a high-octane whirlwind, setting up the season's major conflict in a way that immediately grabs the attention. As always, Reacher finds himself in trouble, this time in Portland, Maine, where he finds himself caught between a crime syndicate led by Zachary Beck (Anthony Michael Hall) and a DEA operation led by Susan Duffy (Sonya Cassidy). His mission? Infiltrate Beck's organization, rescue a missing informant and, true to form, dismantle the entire operation from the inside. But there's an added complication: Beck's business is somehow tied to an old enemy, Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee), a man Reacher thought he'd gotten rid of for good. Revenge is now on the table, and when Reacher is on a quest for justice, it never ends smoothly.

Alan Ritchson has adapted perfectly to the role of Jack Reacher, and at this stage it is difficult to imagine anyone else in the role. His imposing stature and presence make him an obvious candidate for the role, but it is his ability to balance brute force and quiet intelligence that truly elevates his performance. He delivers lines with just the right amount of sardonic humor, his investigative work seems sharp and methodical, and when it comes time to fight, he moves with brutal precision that makes every blow feel personal. There is a primal thrill in watching Reacher take down a room full of bad guys with nothing but his fists and an unshakeable sense of moral clarity. While season 2 gave us a more team-oriented Reacher, season 3 returns to the lone wolf formula, and that's a good thing.

One of the most fascinating elements of this season is Reacher's relationship with Beck's son Richard (Johnny Berchtold). At first glance, Richard seems like an unlikely character for Reacher to take under his wing: he is shy, reserved and clearly traumatized by past events. But as the season progresses, their dynamic becomes one of the most fascinating threads. Reacher, in his gruff way, acts as a mentor, offering the kind of tough love that only a man like him can offer. Johnny Berchtold does a fantastic job of portraying Richard's slow transformation, and their interactions provide some of the season's rare but effective emotional moments.

Of course, a Reacher season wouldn't be complete without a formidable antagonist, and this time we have two. Zachary Beck, played by Michael C Hall, is a man who oscillates between ruthless businessman and overprotective father. He is not your typical crime boss; there is a vulnerability beneath his tough exterior that makes him unpredictable, and Michael C Hall plays the role with a mixture of authority and despair. Then there is Paulie, played by Olivier Richters, who presents a unique challenge: he is bigger, stronger and seemingly indestructible. Seeing Reacher face a man who physically surpasses him is a rare pleasure, and their inevitable confrontation is one of the most satisfying moments of the season. Olivier Richters plays Paulie with a calm and menacing presence, making him a memorable addition to the ever-growing list of Reacher's enemies.

If there is a weak point in season 3, it is perhaps the chemistry between Reacher and Susan Duffy. Cassidy's portrayal of the no-nonsense DEA agent is strong and she brings a special energy to the role, but their romantic subplot seems more obligatory than organic. Unlike Roscoe in season 1 or Dixon in season 2, Duffy's relationship with Reacher is not as emotionally intense. That said, she remains an excellent character in her own right, and her banter with Reacher offers some great moments of levity.

The action remains a strong point, with fight choreography as brutal and hard-hitting as ever. One of the best sequences shows Reacher using only his surroundings to take down an entire room of heavily armed thugs, demonstrating his ability to turn everyday objects into deadly weapons. The series also excels at maintaining a balance between methodical tension and explosive violence. Every fight seems deserved, every confrontation is significant, and the brutality has a weight that makes every punch land with satisfying impact.

Visually, season 3 opts for a darker aesthetic, using dimly lit rooms, rain-soaked streets and the confined, claustrophobic spaces of Beck's mansion to create an atmosphere of unease. Unlike season 2, which was more sprawling and military-themed, this season seems tighter, more intimate, which works in its favor. There is a constant sense of paranoia, as Reacher is always on the verge of being discovered, and this tension adds an extra layer to the narrative.

Reacher season 3 is another strong entry in the series, proving that even after three seasons, there is still plenty of fuel left in the tank. While it doesn't reach the emotional heights of season 2 or the sheer novelty of season 1, it strikes a compelling balance between personal stakes and high-octane action. With Alan Ritchson in his element, a strong supporting cast and some of the best action sequences in the series to date, Reacher remains one of Prime Video's most entertaining series. If you're looking for a series that offers pure, unfiltered action with a protagonist who embodies justice in its most brutal form, then fasten your seatbelts: this season lives up to your expectations.

For long-time fans of the novels, season 3 is a faithful but slightly reinvented adaptation of Persuader. While the main elements of the book are present, the series takes liberties where necessary to adapt to the rhythm and structure of television. This is not necessarily a bad thing; on the contrary, it keeps things fresh, even for those who have read the source material. The nods to Jack Reacher's past, the way the series carefully develops its story without over-explaining it, and the sheer craftsmanship behind the fight sequences make it one of the best action series on TV today. Season 3 may not reinvent the formula, but it refines it, proving that there is still a lot of ground to cover for our favorite nomadic warrior. If the next seasons continue in this vein, we're in for quite an adventure.

Synopsis :
Based on Lee Child’s novel Persuader, in the third season of the action-packed series, Reacher hurtles into the dark heart of a vast criminal enterprise when trying to rescue an undercover DEA informant whose time is running out. There he finds a world of secrecy and violence—and confronts some unfinished business from his own past.

Reacher
Based on Jack Reacher novel series by Lee Child
Developed by Nick Santora
Showrunner Nick Santora
Starring Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald, Chris Webster, Bruce McGill, Maria Sten, Serinda Swan
Shaun Sipos, Ferdinand Kingsley, Robert Patrick
Composer : Tony Morales
Executive producers : Lee Child, Nick Santora, Scott Sullivan, Don Granger, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross
Cinematography : Bernard Couture, Michael McMurray, Ronald Plante
Production companies : Amazon MGM Studios[a], Blackjack Films, CBS Studios, Skydance Television
Network : Amazon Prime Video
Release February 4, 2022 – present
Running time : 42–56 minutes