The Terminal List (2022)

The Terminal List (2022): A Vengeful Descent Into Conspiracy and Trauma

The Terminal List, released on Prime Video in 2022, is a dark, action-packed thriller based on the novel by Jack Carr. It stars Chris Pratt in a rare dramatic turn as Navy SEAL James Reece, the lone survivor of a disastrous covert mission. Upon returning home, Reece is plagued by memory loss, paranoia, and intense grief—made worse when his family is murdered under suspicious circumstances. As he begins to investigate, he uncovers a conspiracy that goes deep into military and government structures.

Reece’s discovery sets him on a path of vengeance. With a list of names in hand—the “terminal list”—he eliminates those he believes responsible for the deaths of his team and his loved ones. Along the way, he is helped by an old friend and CIA operative Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) and investigative journalist Katie Buranek (Constance Wu).

Strengths:
- Chris Pratt delivers a surprisingly intense and gritty performance, shedding his usual comedic persona to portray a deeply haunted, emotionally shattered man.
- The action scenes are grounded, brutal, and highly realistic, especially in terms of military tactics, weapons handling, and close-quarter combat.
- The bond between Reece and Ben Edwards provides the emotional heart of the show, adding weight to the story's darker themes of loyalty and loss.

Weaknesses:
- The plot is relatively simple and often predictable, stretched across eight episodes that could have been tighter in pacing.
- Some supporting characters feel underused or one-dimensional, including Constance Wu’s journalist and Jeanne Tripplehorn’s government figure.
- The psychological elements—particularly hallucinations—are repetitive, sometimes muddying the narrative instead of enriching it.

While The Terminal List received mixed reviews from critics, viewers responded more positively. Critics found fault in the straightforward revenge story and uneven pacing, but many fans appreciated the show’s raw intensity and unapologetic style. The series became one of Amazon Prime's most-watched shows upon release, proving its appeal to audiences who enjoy military thrillers and stories of personal justice.

The Terminal List may not offer much in the way of subtlety or nuance, but it does provide a gripping, emotionally charged ride through betrayal, trauma, and retribution. Chris Pratt leads with surprising depth, and the action is relentless. For fans of military thrillers and dark revenge tales, it’s a solid, binge-worthy watch.