Forget ‘Reacher’: Amazon’s 100% RT Series is the Best Action Thriller on TV

Reacher has dominated Prime Video for years, and rightfully so. The series has delivered cinematic fight choreography and an outstanding lead performance by Alan Ritchson. There aren’t many action thrillers on TV that even come close, but an MGM+ two-season series is a worthy rival with a rare perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.

Both shows electrify the genre in completely different ways, all while featuring an extremely likable and charismatic cast. When I revisited the two series, I noticed a few big things that set them apart. While Reacher hones in on Batman-style justice through the brute force of its titular hero, SAS: Rogue Heroes has a more chaotic, punk-rock approach to saving the day, which makes it stand out from everything else on TV. If you enjoy watching historical epics that sound like fiction, SAS: Rogue Heroes is worth checking out.

‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Hits Just As Hard As ‘Reacher’

When I first watched SAS: Rogue Heroes, it instantly grabbed me, even though I’m not usually one for period pieces. However, similar to Guy Ritchie movies, the show’s period setting never holds it back. The series features high-energy action that feels modern. And while it’s unflinching in its portrayal of real-world events, there’s never a dull moment, which makes sense for the origin story of the British SAS during World War II. The series frames these historical events with a stylish lens, treating the source material reverently and irreverently. It’s rare that a war drama strikes that balance and captures the messiness of battle, but with a cool and contemporary tone.

Reacher, by comparison, is all about precise action. Ritchson is practically a superhero without a cape and tights, and he uses a combination of logic and his physicality to solve problems. However, SAS: Rogue Heroes is the polar opposite, as a group of heroes come together and complicate high-stakes situations, barely managing to survive at times. After rewatching Reacher, I can appreciate what a masterclass it is when it comes to fight choreography, with hand-to-hand combat that frequently feels like it belongs in a movie like Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

In SAS: Rogue Heroes, action scenes feel like a bomb went off, indicative of the story’s World War II setting, as the team scrambles for their defenses. Every mission feels like it could go catastrophically wrong at any point, which makes the victories feel even more impactful. Reacher lacks that tension. I always feel like Jack Reacher can be trusted to save the day based on his track record.

While Reacher puts Ritchson at the center, SAS: Rogue Heroes follows a whole cast of heroes who each could carry their own shows. I can’t imagine Jack Reacher tolerating such a close-knit group of characters, since he mostly operates alone and makes it clear he wants to keep it that way. David Stirling, Jock Lewes, and Paddy Mayne, among others, frequently clash, creating a dynamic that Reacher wouldn’t be able to stand.

SAS: Rogue Heroes is more than just an action thriller; it’s a historical epic that shows what war actually takes and the close bonds that are formed as a result. Both series operate at the top of their game, offering audiences the type of action that’s typically reserved for movies. SAS: Rogue Heroes can be watched on MGM+ or through MGM+ on Prime Video.