Reacher Christian Review

So, you know of “Reacher,” right? The one based on those Lee Child novels featuring Jack Reacher, an ex-military gentleman who could be thought of as something of a modern knight? He travels around solving crimes and will stop at nothing to deal with some really shady stuff—these sorts of things, using his brains and brawn to bring justice where it’s needed most.

Themes of Justice and Morality

What does resonate with me as a Christian viewer is the theme of justice. Jack Reacher is about setting things right, fighting corruption, and searching for truth in a world full of what feels like a lot of lies. You know, something that echoes my faith? We’ve been taught to seek justice, to defend the oppressed, and that’s exactly what Reacher does.

It’s not only about legal justice; rather, it is also about moral justice. Reacher seems to have this very strong moral compass and readily takes up the cause of beating evil without any fear. That’s what I like so much about him. He is a constant, periodic thorn amidst so many, many others who close their eyes just to go by in the world.

Jack Reacher: A Character Dissection

Now, let’s talk about Jack Reacher himself. He was this tall, towering guy whose mind seems to be as sharp as his physical abilities. Being a Christian myself, I appreciated the fact that he holds values one would want Christians to have: integrity, courage, and compassion. Sure, he is tough and he can handle himself in a fight, but really, his determination to protect innocence and expose liars shined so much more.

One of the more interesting aspects of his character had to do with his developmental change throughout the series, whereby you have him struggling with the past and trying to make sense of the world. That struggle to find identity and purpose—well, that is maybe something that many of us can identify with on any kind of spiritual journey.

Handling Violence and Morality

Now, this is where things get a little dicey. “Reacher” doesn’t pull away from violence; indeed, it forms a big part of how Reacher solves problems. Being a Christian and believer in peace and forgiveness, the intense contacts of bodies can sometimes be jarring.

What I mean is that there is a difference between senseless violence and force protecting people or serving justice. Nothing Reacher does is simply for its own sake, with him driven to putting things right in an often very wrong world. While I may not agree with his methods at times, the drive to build up something better than the world tends to bring forth is rather appreciated.

The Message of Redemption and Justice

Essentially, “Reacher” is a theme of redemption, about someone who has gone through the wringer—standing up for his own battles and trying to find his place in a world that so often seems to be stacked against him. As Christians, we believe in redemption—that no matter how far down we’ve gone, there’s always a chance of forgiveness and a new beginning for us.

And then there is the issue of justice: the series opens one’s eyes to injustice at every turn, whether corruption at the top or exploitation of vulnerable people. It reminds one of the responsibility for standing against wrong deeds, standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

Conclusion: Is “Reacher” Worth Watching?

So, is “Reacher” worth watching? If you’re a Christian viewer, I would say yes, with a caveat: it is a gritty series, heavy on the action, and some really hard hitting moments. At subtext level, though, it is a story of hope and about fighting for what’s right—human nature.

I’d give it a solid 7 out of 10. Far from perfect, certainly not everybody’s cup of tea—most likely if you are sensitive to violence. But if what you’re looking for in a read is a protagonist wrestling with moral dilemmas and not taking his time to take on the bad guys, perhaps Jack Reacher is the man for you.

Get the popcorn ready and settle in to see for yourself what “Reacher” is all about. Don’t forget to have your moral compass vis-à-vis at your side—it is going to get a doozy of an exercise.