The Spy Who Flopped: Why Jack Ryan’s Descent Continues

The latest iteration of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Ghost War, has hit Prime Video to decidedly mixed reviews. A 40% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes marks a significant drop-off from its predecessor’s four-season average of 80%. This decline raises questions about what went wrong and whether the franchise needs reevaluation.

The shift in tone is one possible explanation. The original series, starring John Krasinski as Jack Ryan, was praised for its cerebral approach to espionage. It tackled complex issues like surveillance states and drone warfare with nuance lacking from many other action-thrillers on TV at the time. In contrast, Ghost War plays it safe, relying on tired tropes about rogue black-ops teams and international conspiracies.

Director Andrew Berstein shows a deft hand in keeping the plot moving at a breakneck pace, but Krasinski’s title role lacks the personality that defined his predecessor. As critic Kevin Maher noted in The Times (U.K.), “It’s generic, personality-free and very streaming.” This is a franchise that prides itself on balancing action with intelligence – Ghost War feels like a step backward.

The film’s themes of disillusionment and mistrust of authority feel woefully timed. In an era where real-world surprise wars and authoritarianism are increasingly common, what does Jack Ryan have to say that’s so groundbreaking? As Monica Castillo wrote for AV Club, “In a time of real-life surprise wars and dictator-snatching, what Jack Ryan has to say is deeply uninspired.” This franchise was once praised for its timely commentary on the world – but now seems content to coast on familiar tropes.

Glenn Kenny’s glowing review in The New York Times stands out as an exception. He praises the film’s “globe-trotting plot” and notes that it keeps the pace until a final reckoning back where all the nastiness started. However, even Kenny’s enthusiasm can’t mask the fact that Ghost War feels like more of the same – rather than something new and innovative.

As the Jack Ryan franchise continues to struggle in its transition from TV to film, it’s worth asking what the future holds. Will we see a return to form with the next installment, or will this downward trend continue? With the streaming market becoming increasingly saturated, franchises like Jack Ryan need to be careful not to become stale and predictable. If Ghost War is any indication, there’s still work to be done.

The spy thriller genre thrives on its ability to stay ahead of the curve – but with a film as uninspired as Ghost War, it’s hard not to wonder if this particular iteration of Jack Ryan is worth reviving at all.