Prime Video’sReacheris now one of the streaming platform’s most successful shows, but while Alan Ritchson has become synonymous with the titular character, Tom Cruise also played the action hero, and the two portrayals had some big differences. Ritchson’s version of the character has been nothing short of phenomenal, optimizing everything that makes the drifter so iconic.
His impressive physique and subtle mannerisms have led many to believeAlan Ritchson is the perfect Jack Reacher, but Tom Cruise’s performance shouldn’t be overlooked. The action veteran naturally brought some great stunts and fight sequences to the franchise while embracing the character’s wittier side, yet he still maintained Reacher’s combat expertise and aggression.
Unfortunately,Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher movies were pretty divisive, mainly because people didn’t feel he looked the part, a stark contrast to Ritchson’s reception. As a result, the TV show has a completely different feel from Cruise’s movie series, with each actor putting their own signature spin on Lee Child’s famous character, leading to some contrasting results.
8Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Is Much More Physically Imposing Than Tom Cruise’s
Image via Prime Video
Perhaps the most obvious difference between Ritchson and Cruise’s version of Jack Reacher is their physicality. While Cruise’s portrayal had more of an underdog look that made it believable that his version of the character would be underestimated, Ritchson’s appearance is one that the villains can’t ignore, successfully capturing the menacing presentation that Child’s books conveyed.
His impressive stature really adds to the character, which also makesPaulie one ofReacher’s best villains, as it was rare to see someone match the protagonist physically. Cruise’s shorter and leaner frame made for a more original take on Jack Reacher, and although it didn’t work for everyone, it at least provided a fresh interpretation for fans of the franchise.
7Tom Cruise’s Reacher Isn’t As Dark Or Gritty As Alan Ritchson’s
While Cruise’s Jack Reacher still contains some darker elements, he feels like a more traditional action hero compared to Ritchson’s version. Despite having a predominantly serious tone, blockbusters often look for a cool edge to really sell, which is exactly what Cruise brought to the series.
He was clearly still tough and stoic, but Cruise’s Reacher also contained a swagger that isn’t usually associated with the ex-military officer. In contrast, Ritchson’s adaptation is much grittier, and while he still has plenty of charming and humorous moments, he is far from a people person and is capable of extreme violence.
Some ofReacher’s darkest episodesexplore heavy themes, which the protagonist is often at the center of, creating a gloomy feel around Ritchson’s character. The two versions may not be a million miles apart in this area, but it’s hard to deny that Ritchson plays a more vengeful Reacher, whereas Cruise portrays a more confident hero.
6Reacher’s Author, Lee Child, Believes Ritchson Is More Suited To The Role Than Cruise
Lee Child’s opinion on the two actors says a lot about their depictions of Jack Reacher while highlighting what sets them apart. The franchise’s creator defended Cruise’s performance and pushed against some of the backlash; however, he also indicated that Ritchson was born for the role and was better suited to play the character.
64%
67%
37%
42%
ReacherSeason 1 (2022)
92%
91%
ReacherSeason 2 (2023-2024)
98%
77%
ReacherSeason 3 (2025)
73%
ConsideringJack Reacher: Never Go Backmade some big book changes, it’s understandable why the author may favor the more faithful TV series. Still, his preference for Ritchson over Cruise is enough evidence alone to prove the duo have completely different qualities, with Ritchson’s feeling better aligned to Child’s original view of who Jack Reacher truly is.
5Alan Ritchson’s Portrayal Is More Book Accurate, While Cruise’s Character Feels More Like An Action Star
As Lee Child’s comments suggest, Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher feels like he was taken straight from the books, whereas Tom Cruise tweaks things to fit the big screen. Ritchson seems to have all the character’s signature traits, such as physique, personality, mannerisms, combat experience, and even his interactions with others feel identical to the source material.
He may be a little blunt and awkward at times, but Ritchson’s character clearly has a big heart, making him very book-accurate. Tom Cruise’s version is still a good person at his core and possesses some of Jack Reacher’s classic anti-social elements, but his overall vibe is much more like a movie star.
Cruise’s depiction seems to enjoy physical confrontations and comes across as relatively extravagant in terms of actions and decision-making. That smart, methodical personality is still there, but the movies' overly serious tone leaves little room for some of the nuanced aspects that Ritchson is able to dive into, creating a slightly generic action hero.
4Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Focuses Much More On The Character’s Backstory Than Tom Cruise’s Movies
Given Ritchson has had three seasons to explore the character, it’s no surprise his take on Jack Reacher has a little bit more depth compared to Cruise, who only had two movies to establish himself. Taking that into account, the box office icon did a pretty solid job of introducing new viewers to Reacher for the very first time.
Still, the films require the audience to know at least a little bit about the books, whereas Prime Video’s series dives more into the character’s history.Reacherseason 3’s military flashbackallowed Ritchson to tap into a slightly younger version of the character, and we even saw him as a child earlier in the show.
Having more time with the protagonist obviously helped, but it’s hard to ignore that Ritchson’s interpretation of Jack Reacher is much more fleshed out, separating his version from Cruise’s.
3Tom Cruise’s Reacher Feels Fairly Charismatic, Whereas Alan Ritchson Plays More Of A Loner
One of Cruise’s greatest strengths as Jack Reacher is adding charisma to the character’s more reserved personality. Although he retains the hero’s unorthodox nature, there’s a level of confidence and assurance in Cruise’s performance that makes him bounce off characters well and gives him a more personal connection with the movie series' antagonists.
On the other hand, Ritchson’s version is once again more accurate to the novels by being a bit of a loner. He feels detached from certain social norms while still being realistic, adding a level of humor to his interactions. Ritchson’s Jack Reacher also seems like he truly wants to be alone, making his blossoming relationships feel all the more important.
2Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Is More Intimidating Than Tom Cruise’s
Alongside being more physically imposing, Ritchson’s Jack Reacher is also more intimidating in general. His size certainly helps, but the actor’s subtle facial expressions make the protagonist feel genuinely terrifying when he’s angry, something that often strikes fear into his enemies.
Ritchson’s ability to be such a threat also adds another layer to the character, as he often works things out through words as opposed to violence, since most people don’t want to cross him.Tom Cruise’s villain role in 2004’sCollateralproves he can also be extremely chilling, but he simply isn’t as naturally scary as Reacher compared to Ritchson.
Alan Ritchson revealed in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel that he wrote a letter to Tom Cruise expressing his gratitude for everything he did with Jack Reacher and thanked him for bringing eyes to the franchise.
This doesn’t stop him from delivering a convincing performance full of threats that usually turn out to be promises, but while Cruise undeniably has the acting chops to play a cunning combat expert, Ritchson’s stature adds an aura that pinpoints their main differences.
1Tom Cruise’s Reacher Has A More Efficient Fighting Style, Whereas Alan Ritchson’s Is More Brutal
Both Prime Video’sReacherand Paramount’sJack Reachermovies have plenty of great action sequences, but both actors bring completely different fighting styles. Cruise’s version of the character could be described as more of a technician, as his efficient combat style sees him frequently dispose of enemies using methods that seem more akin to Ethan Hunt or John Wick.
In comparison, Ritchson’s take on Jack Reacher sees him use his strength and size to brutalize his opponents in much messier battles.Reacher’s fight with Paulie in season 3showcased that there is still strategy and technique involved in the TV show, but the blows and kills feel far extra brutal.
Once again, Ritchson’s rough yet calculated approach feels more in line with how Jack Reacher is supposed to fight, while Tom Cruise’s style is better suited to the big screen, hence why most passionate fans tend to lean towards Prime Video’sReacheras opposed to the films.
