Though it didn’t see the best reviews on its original release, Michael B. Jordan and Taylor Sheridan‘s adaptation of a Tom Clancy thriller is enjoying renewed streaming success. Though having acted since childhood, Jordan started becoming a household name thanks to the successes of Chronicle and Fruitvale Station, the latter of which would be the first of his long history of collaborating with Ryan Coogler, which has since included Creed, Black Panther and Sinners. Sheridan has become one of the biggest names in television thanks to his Yellowstone universe, having since expanded with the likes of Tulsa King, Lioness and Landman.
Clancy is one of the most iconic authors in the world of the spy genre, particularly thanks to the creation of the Jack Ryan character, having written 14 novels featuring the CIA hero. Since 1990’s The Hunt for Red October, multiple Ryanverse novels have been adapted for the screen, including the Harrison Ford-starring Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, as well as Ben Affleck’s The Sum of All Fears, Chris Pine’s Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and John Krasinski’s Prime Video show. Among the group is a non-Jack Ryan-focused story.
Without Remorse Is Enjoying Success On Hulu
The Movie Was Previously A Prime Video Original
The last feature film adaptation of a Clancy novel was that of Without Remorse, the 1993 spy thriller that chronicled the origin story of frequent character John Kelly, better known as John Clark. The movie, led by Michael B. Jordan, sees Kelly and members of a team of US Navy SEALs hunted by Russian hitmen, resulting in the death of his pregnant wife, and putting him on a path of vengeance. Co-written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples, Without Remorse saw mixed reviews from critics, premiering on Prime Video in April 2021 after being sold by Paramount Pictures.
Now, Without Remorse is climbing Hulu‘s charts after shifting to the platform. At the time of writing, the movie currently sits at No. 13 on the streamer’s Top 15 Movies Today list, situated just ahead of the Morgan Freeman and John Cusack-starring thriller The Contract at No. 14 and the Will Smith-led animated comedy Shark Tale at No. 15.
The rest of Hulu’s Top 15 are a mix of new releases and familiar hits, with No. 1 being The Wolf of Wall Street, Jude Law’s The Order at No. 2, Timothée Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown at No. 3, Superbad at No. 4 and The Da Vinci Code at No. 5. The remaining chart includes Jack Black’s Year One at No. 6, Bill Murray’s Garfield: The Movie at No. 7, Anora at No. 8, The Tomorrow War at No. 9, Jonah Hill’s True Story at No. 10, Angels & Demons at No. 11 and the original Jurᴀssic Park at No. 12.
Our Take On Without Remorse’s Renewed Streaming Success
Jordan Having A New Release Helps Put It Back On The Map
Given it’s been a few years since Without Remorse came out, it may come as something of a surprise to see the movie climbing back up the streaming charts. There are a few likely reasons as to why it’s enjoying new success, the first of which is that Jordan is back on everyone’s radar with Sinners‘ release. His latest collaboration with Coogler has netted them both the best reviews of their careers, holding a 98% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. As such, people are likely diving back into his filmography in honor of the movie’s release.
The other likely reason is that the recent ending of Reacher season 3 has inspired people for more of the informally named “dad genre”, which many Clancy adaptations fall under. Given Without Remorse was also intended to launch a franchise with a Rainbow Six sequel movie focused on Jordan’s character, the 2021 movie’s renewed success boasts well for when it finally moves ahead, though that likely won’t be anytime soon now that Chad Stahelski’s Highlander reboot has found a new home.
Source: Hulu