Jack Reacher: Fighting for justice or vengeance?

I recently watched Reacher, Amazon’s adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels. While this won’t be a full Reacher season three review, I just want to say it was way better than season two. It still fell short of season one, however.

Season two felt like an all-action spectacle but lacked the charm of the first season. The story had noticeable plot holes, and instead of Reacher (Alan Ritchson) operating as a one-man army, he was part of a full investigative team. While he works with others in season three, the focus remains firmly on him.

Anyway, here’s a quick recap of season three:
Jack Reacher teams up with DEA agent Susan Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) who is searching for a missing witness. But in reality, he’s after an old army enemy, Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee), who is responsible for the death of Reacher’s former protégé, Dominique Kohl (Mariah Robinson). This leads him to infiltrate Zachary Beck’s (Anthony Michael Hall) criminal organization, only to discover a far-reaching conspiracy involving drug dealers and government agencies. Of course, it all ends in a storm of death and destruction.

Jack Reacher, the character

Having left the Army Military Police, Jack Reacher prefers a transient lifestyle, constantly traveling and shunning commitment. Inevitably, he encounters crimes or situations where he feels the need to involve himself. 

Here’s where it gets interesting: The books and the show often highlight Reacher’s strict moral code. As a highly decorated officer once trusted with leading a special investigations team, one would also expect his sense of justice to align with the law, but it doesn’t. Instead, to him, justice is what he thinks it should be. Most often, it is swift, brutal, and absolute. His enemies rarely make it to court.

Reacher is today’s version of Marvel’s Punisher or Daredevil, but with a twist. Unlike Frank Castle, he isn’t on a crusade to punish others. And unlike Matt Murdock, he’s also not acting out of concern for others. He’s also not acting out of concern for others. So, what is he fighting for? Himself. Jack Reacher just wants to be left alone. In Lee Child’s novel Persuader (on which season three is based), he says: “I don’t care about the little guy. I just hate the big guy. I hate big smug people who think they can get away with things.”

Jack Reacher’s moral ambiguity

This complexity makes Reacher a notable character. But what fascinates me even more is the broader concept he represents—that of a vigilante. He operates outside the law, acting as judge, jury, and executioner.

In an ideal world, justice would be fair and absolute, but reality often falls short. As a political scientist, I think vigilantism is a danger to society. Although it might seem justifiable, it erodes the core principles of justice and legal procedure. Yet, honestly, I don't know how I would react if someone hurt a loved one and went free. Would I seek justice or let it go?

Vigilantism and storytelling

Vigilantism isn’t just a societal issue, but also a storytelling staple. I have written a blog series about vigilantism, real-life vigilantes, and fictional portrayals.

Moreover, it’s also a major theme in The Empath Series. In my paranormal suspense thrillers, I explored the topic through my protagonist. Nathaniel Colt, like Reacher, just wants peace and quiet while he travels with his Rottweiler, Jackson. Yet, somehow, he ends up hunting serial killers. And when he deems it necessary, the former special agent eliminates his targets. In Colt’s words: “Sometimes you have to take people out to prevent harm to others.”

(Side note: I only just noticed how much Reacher and Colt are alike. For the record, I do not compare my writing with Mr. Child’s. I’m not that delusional 😊.)

Wrap up

Anyway, after watching Reacher, I couldn’t stop thinking about him and fictional characters like him. I think vigilantes tap into something primal in us—the desire for justice when the system fails. They don’t wait for bureaucracy, red tape, or the “right” process. They see a wrong and do something about it. 

There’s a certain satisfaction in watching someone stand up to the bullies, especially when they operate by their moral code. It’s messy, dangerous, and often morally gray, but that’s what makes it so compelling. Characters like Reacher, Batman, or the Punisher hold a mirror to our own frustrations with the world. They’re the fantasy of accountability made real, even if it’s not always pretty.

Buy The Empath Series

With high-stakes tension, unpredictable twists, and pulse-pounding action, The Empath Series explores the dark side of human emotions.

If you enjoy emotionally charged, fast-paced paranormal suspense thrillers with a psychic investigator, The Empath Series will keep you hooked until the very last page.

For fans of Criminal Minds, Profiler, and The Listener.