Netflix’s ‘Man on Fire’ Racked Up 11 Million Views in Just Four Days, But Can Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Step Out of Denzel’s Shadow?

The name John Creasy has meant something to audiences for a long time. A.J. Quinnell introduced the character in his 1980 novel, a bleak and brutal portrait of a mercenary undone by trauma and reborn through vengeance. The story found its most iconic screen life in Tony Scott’s 2004 film, where Denzel Washington’s fierce, smoldering performance turned a mid-budget action thriller into a cultural touchstone.

That film grossed $130 million at the box office on a $70 million budget, and while critics were divided, audiences embraced it with an 89% score on the audience-driven Popcornmeter. The property has carried serious weight ever since, which made Netflix’s decision to revisit it as a prestige series both an exciting gamble and a loaded one.

Series creator Kyle Killen was brought on as showrunner and writer, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II cast as the lead in June 2024 and ‘Creed II’ director Steven Caple Jr. hired to helm the first two episodes. Both joined as executive producers alongside a team that includes Arnon Milchan, Peter Chernin, and Jenno Topping, among others.

Rather than retread the original novel, the series draws from Quinnell’s second Creasy book, ‘The Perfect Kill,’ transplanting the action from Mexico City to the vivid, politically charged streets of Rio de Janeiro. The production was not without its complications either, as Abdul-Mateen was injured on set during filming in Mexico City, forcing a brief production pause.

The result landed on Netflix on April 30, and the numbers have already spoken. ‘Man on Fire’ became the most-watched TV series on Netflix during the week of April 27 to May 3, racking up 11 million views in its first four days of availability. It is an encouraging opening for a show carrying considerable franchise expectations and a production scale to match.

Critics, however, have been more measured in their enthusiasm. Variety noted that the show delivers capable performances and a solid narrative, but concluded that it never deviates far enough from genre expectations to feel truly distinct or exceptional. Rotten Tomatoes currently reflects a 62% approval rating based on 26 critic reviews, while Metacritic places it at 60 out of 100, indicating mixed or average notices.

Much of the critical conversation orbits the unavoidable comparison to Washington. The Wrap acknowledged that Abdul-Mateen has put in the work to earn respect in his own right, particularly with viewers unfamiliar with the 2004 film, though it conceded he won’t clear Washington’s high bar with those who carry nostalgia for the original.

Showrunner Killen, for his part, was certain from the start that Abdul-Mateen was the right choice. Speaking to Netflix Tudum, Killen explained his reasoning, saying that what drew him to the actor was not one specific quality but his range, and that range is precisely what the character of Creasy demands.

Whether those numbers climb in the coming weeks will likely determine whether Creasy’s story continues on screen, or burns out after one compelling but imperfect run. Let us know in the comments whether you think ‘Man on Fire’ deserves a second season or if Yahya Abdul-Mateen II managed to make the role his own.