Netflix’s Remake Of R-Rated Denzel Washington Classic Carries On A Rotten Tomatoes Trend

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Netflix‘s TV remake of a Denzel Washington movie continues a Rotten Tomatoes trend.

Throughout the 2000s, Denzel Washington successfully transitioned from being a critically acclaimed dramatic actor – known for his role in Malcolm X – to a leading action star, appearing in films like Inside Man, Déjà vu, and The Taking of Pelham 123. One of his most popular action roles came in Man on Fire, based on the 1980 novel by A.J. Quinnell. In the film, he played John Creasy, a troubled bodyguard who seeks revenge when the young girl he’s protecting – played by Dakota Fanning – is kidnapped. While the film received varied reviews, it remains a fan favorite.

After 22 years, Netflix created a live-action TV series based on Quinnell’s story, starring Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as John Creasy. The show retells the same basic story: a former special forces soldier protects a friend’s daughter and gets revenge on those who killed her. Now that the series is out, viewers have made it clear which version – the show or Denzel Washington’s Man on Fire movie – they like better.

Netflix’s Man on Fire has a 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is lower than the 89% rating for the Washington version, but higher than the original movie starring Scott Glenn (68%). Critics and viewers are divided, giving the series an overall score of 55% based on 20 reviews. This mixed reception mirrors the 2004 film, which received an even lower critical score of 39%.

Compared to the film starring Denzel Washington, critics have applauded the Netflix series Man on Fire for focusing more on character development and offering a more complex portrayal of Creasy’s PTSD. While the story is the same as the popular thriller, Abdul-Mateen’s performance is realistic and deeply emotional. Despite this, many viewers still favor Washington’s version, appreciating its exciting, quick action and the strong connection between Washington and Dakota Fanning.

Every Man on Fire Adaptation Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Man on Fire (1987) N/A 68%
Man on Fire (2004) 39% 89%
Man on Fire (2026) 55% 74%

While the new Netflix version hasn’t resonated with audiences as much as the 2004 film, critics are giving it higher marks, and fans are praising Yahya Abdul-Mateen’s performance. Unlike the original movie starring Denzel Washington and Clive Owen, which didn’t get any sequels, this new adaptation could potentially cover all four of Donald E. Quinnell’s books. The show actually borrowed ideas from the second book, The Perfect Kill.

Whether or not there will be a second season of the show depends on how many people watched the first season and if the people involved want to make more. In an interview with ScreenRant, actor Abdul-Mateen said he’d be happy to continue playing his character for a while, but also emphasized that they would need a compelling reason to do so. He added they’ll consider future seasons when the time comes. The first season ends with an unresolved plot point, leaving the door open for potential future installments.

Washington’s film earned $130 million at the box office, which was a significant return on its $30–40 million production cost. It also sold well when released on DVD and Blu-ray.

The cast of Man on Fire includes Abdul-Mateen, Billie Boullet, Scoot McNairy, Alice Braga, Bobby Cannavale, and Paul Ben-Victor. Kyle Killen was the creator, writer, and showrunner for the series.

All seven episodes of Man on Fire are streaming on Netflix.

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2026-05-03 06:48