Why the Reacher TV Show Works (When the Movie Didn’t)
Manage episode 513470389 series 3692792
A giant walks into a diner and says nothing for six and a half minutes — and somehow that silence says everything. In this episode of All Things Reacher, filmmaker Chris Martinez joins Kee Ramsorrun to unpack why the Prime Video Reacher series works — and why the Tom Cruise movie fell flat.
We break down how smart direction, framing, and restraint make the TV Reacher so powerful:
• Wide lenses that exaggerate scale
• Blocking and wardrobe that sell Reacher’s size
• Patience and silence that make violence land harder
From the jail cell sequence to the bathroom brawl, we explore how the show’s clarity, sound design, and visual storytelling build character without exposition. Chris also digs into the flashbacks, chemistry with Roscoe, and the subtle details that make this Reacher feel authentic.
We talk adaptation, tone, and updating a ’90s thriller icon for a modern audience — and we don’t shy away from the TV vs film debate. By the time Reacher growls “find them all and kill them,” the series has earned it through craft, patience, and presence.
We wrap with a fun “What Would Reacher Do?” scenario and a practical go-bag pick (spoiler: a humble two pence coin).
If you love smart action, Jack Reacher, visual storytelling, and behind-the-scenes filmmaking insight, hit play — then follow, rate, and tell us: Which scene sold you on TV Reacher?
Chapters
1. Welcome to All Things Reacher (00:00:00)
2. Meet Chris: Filmmaker’s Perspective (00:00:37)
3. First Impressions of TV Reacher (00:02:46)
4. How the Camera Makes Reacher Huge (00:05:06)
5. Six Minutes Without Dialogue (00:08:20)
6. Favourite Scenes: Jail and Bathroom (00:11:22)
7. Flashbacks, Grading, and Story Signals (00:15:06)
8. Roscoe: Smart Cop vs Romance Trope (00:18:05)
9. Adaptation Notes from the Books (00:21:18)
10. What Would Reacher Do? (00:24:48)
11. On Your Marks, Get Set, Go-Bag (00:27:04)
12. The One Item Reacher Should Carry (00:29:06)
13. Keep Watching? Stakes and Motive (00:30:24)
3 episodes