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The Resurgence of Without Remorse on Streaming Platforms
Following its release back in 2021, the action thriller Without Remorse is now trending on streaming once again. Co-written by Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples, and directed by Stefano Sollima, the film is an adaptation of the 1993 Tom Clancy novel of the same name. Though it hasn’t had much staying power as a straight-to-streaming Prime Video release, Without Remorse currently ranks as the sixth most popular title on the MGM+ streaming service.
The movie beats titles like A Working Man (2025) and She Rides Shotgun (2025), but falls behind the popular TV show From, as well as films like Roofman (2025) and Afterburn (2025). Meanwhile, The Naked Gun (2025) occupies the number one spot.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
This newfound streaming success for Without Remorse follows a mixed-to-negative reception from critics. The Clancy adaptation only has a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the audience-driven Popcornmeter score is actually worse at 41%. Despite this, the film has found a new audience on streaming platforms, which may be contributing to its recent resurgence.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, the movie follows Navy SEAL John Kelly as he sets out on a path for revenge after Russian hitmen murder his wife and his unit. Though Jordan’s performance is a point of praise, the film was met with criticism for its familiar story and plotting, as well as its failure to update certain action movie tropes.
From Theaters to Streaming: A Pandemic Pivot
Without Remorse was originally slated for a theatrical release, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pivot to a streaming-only debut. Despite an underwhelming critical reception, the movie, which also stars Guy Pearce, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Jacob Scipio, was a big viewership hit for Prime Video.
Prime Video also houses another popular Clancy adaptation in the form of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, a TV show starring John Krasinski. Though Jack Ryan season 5 isn’t happening, the series will end with a film, which doesn’t yet have a release date.
The Future of the Franchise: Rainbow Six and Beyond
The film was popular enough to lead to the announcement of a follow-up called Rainbow Six. Jordan is expected to return for the sequel, and John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski will step in as director. Few updates have been shared about the project, however, with Stahelski last confirming that development was ongoing in December 2024.
Stahelski’s next project is a Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill, and the announced John Wick 5 is also in development. It could still be quite some time, then, before Rainbow Six becomes a reality, if it ever does.
Revisiting Without Remorse
Though questions remain about the sequel, it’s clear that audiences are now finding reasons to revisit Without Remorse. This gritty action film may not be as successful as Sheridan’s other feature film projects, which include Sicario (2015) and Wind River (2017), but its newfound streaming success suggests it may deserve a second look. Whether it’s the nostalgia factor or the opportunity to explore a new angle on a classic story, Without Remorse continues to find its audience in unexpected ways.