A new ten-part spy series uses a storytelling technique similar to the popular Prime Video show Reacher, offering insight into why Reacher has become so successful. Prime Video’s adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels is a major hit in the crime thriller genre, and the franchise is expected to continue growing with season 4 of Reacher and a new spin-off series focused on the character Neagley.
While fans are eagerly awaiting the next season of Reacher, another gripping crime thriller, The Day of the Jackal on Peacock, is worth checking out. Although it shares a source – a classic crime novel – with Reacher, it stands apart from many recent shows in the genre. Unlike typical heroes, the main character in The Day of the Jackal isn’t clearly good or bad, adding a layer of complexity.
Although seemingly unlike Reacher, The Day of the Jackal actually uses a very similar approach to storytelling. Both stories break many of the typical rules of crime thrillers, helping them stand out from the many spy and action shows available today and create a distinct identity.
Reacher & Day Of The Jackal Adopt The Same Clever Storytelling Trick
Both the Reacher series and The Day of the Jackal prioritize action and strategy over deeply exploring their characters’ emotions. The shows generally keep the characters’ feelings and weaknesses concealed, focusing instead on the dangers of their missions and how they overcome their opponents. However, Jack Reacher is portrayed as more morally upright than the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal.
Both Jack Reacher and the protagonist of The Day of the Jackal are remarkably efficient and keep their distance from emotional connections. Despite the mystery surrounding them, their stories are captivating. Surprisingly, these shows succeed despite typically focusing less on the characters’ inner motivations and weaknesses than most crime thrillers do.
As a movie buff, I’ve noticed something interesting about shows like The Day of the Jackal. Even though they often twist or ignore typical genre conventions, they really draw you in by focusing on how meticulous and disciplined the main characters are, and how carefully they plan everything. Take The Day of the Jackal, for example – it spends a lot of time showing you exactly how the protagonist builds a rifle from scratch, and even how he analyzes things like wind speed to ensure a perfect shot. It’s that level of detail that’s so captivating.
Like Reacher on Prime Video, the show highlights how Jack Reacher meticulously observes everything around him and thinks through all potential scenarios before acting. This strong focus on their unwavering determination to succeed is captivating and draws viewers completely into the story.
It’s no surprise that Lee Child, the creator of the Jack Reacher series, was influenced by Frederick Forsyth’s novel, The Day of the Jackal. As Child explained to The Guardian, Forsyth “changed the rules for all of us who came after.”
Day Of The Jackal Deserves As Much Attention As Reacher
Peacock has renewed The Day of the Jackal for a second season thanks to its initial performance. There’s been interesting news about the show’s production lately, but it hasn’t reached the same level of popularity as hit crime thrillers like Reacher and Bosch. It remains a bit under the radar compared to those shows.
Most remakes and reboots of classic films don’t succeed, but Peacock’s version of The Day of the Jackal is a notable exception. It’s a rare reboot that both updates the story from the highly-regarded 1973 film and stays true to what made the original so good.
With ten episodes, The Day of the Jackal is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It follows a meticulous assassin and the intense chase led by an MI6 agent to stop him. The series is made even better by strong performances from Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
It’s hoped that soon, The Day of the Jackal will become as popular with a wide audience as Reacher is now.
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2026-05-10 06:49