Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Is Fascinating to Watch

Key Points:

• Netflix’s “Man on Fire,” adapted from A.J. Quinnell’s novel and starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, follows ex-CIA operative John Creasy on a vengeful mission, focusing on the events of Quinnell’s second Creasy novel, “The Perfect Kill.”
• The seven-episode first season begins with a failed operation in Mexico City and follows Creasy’s descent into despair before he takes on a counterterrorism job in Rio de Janeiro, where he must protect a teenager named Poe.
• While Abdul-Mateen II and co-star Billie Boullet deliver strong performances, the series lacks the emotional depth and compelling bond seen in the 2004 Denzel Washington film adaptation.
• The show vividly portrays Rio de Janeiro’s contrasting neighborhoods, from affluent areas to the favelas, adding a rich backdrop reminiscent of the film “City of God.”
• Though solid and fitting for a typical action thriller binge, “Man on Fire” remains predictable and doesn’t distinguish itself beyond genre conventions; it is now available for streaming on Netflix.