Neagley Review: Prime Video’s Reacher Spin-Off Delivers Another Addictive Thriller

Prime Video appears to have another hit on its hands with Neagley, a new spin-off set in the same world as the critically acclaimed Reacher. While Reacher is currently in its fourth season, both series offer the same addictive, escapist appeal. Neagley occasionally stumbles, but it largely stays true to the winning formula while exploring new territory through a different protagonist.

Warning: Minor spoilers follow, but no major plot details are revealed.

Maria Sten leads the Neagley cast

Neagley fans will already be familiar with Frances Neagley, played by Maria Sten (Swamp Thing). She is one of the most enthusiastic allies of former U.S. Army military police officer Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson. Over four entertaining seasons of Reacher, Neagley has repeatedly come to Reacher’s aid as he takes on dangerous criminal organizations.

Ritchson’s Reacher appears in the opening scene of the spin-off, lending his muscle to help rescue a kidnapped child. After that introduction, the series shifts its focus firmly to Neagley and her own investigation.

Neagley investigates her friend’s suspicious death

Now working as a corporate security expert in Chicago, Neagley is shocked when her childhood best friend, Tommy (Jaleel Swaby), is killed on the L train tracks after apparently walking in front of an oncoming train while high. Authorities rule the death an accident, but Neagley immediately suspects something more sinister.

She begins investigating against the wishes of her boss, Gerald York (Joel Keller), and brings ambitious administrative assistant Lenny Birdwhistle (Adeline Rudolph) into the case. Detective Hudson “Rats” Riley (Grayston Holt) also believes Tommy’s death was suspicious and insists on joining the investigation, despite Neagley’s reluctance.

A dangerous commune hides the truth

The investigation leads Neagley and Riley to Echo Canyon Farm, a commune run by charismatic cult leader Lawrence Cole (Damon Herriman). Tommy was living at the commune before his death, and Neagley quickly suspects that the farm is involved in more than growing crops and singing folk songs.

Her suspicions center on a small sample of rye flour Tommy sent her before he died, as well as a psychoactive drug being secretly developed by a pharmaceutical company. Neagley befriends a young street kid named Kino (Jasper Johns) and allows him to infiltrate the farm.

As Neagley closes in on the people supporting the operation, she becomes a target herself. The result is a familiar but effective mix of conspiracy, action and investigative suspense that gives the Reacher universe room to grow while allowing Frances Neagley to take center stage.