Alan Ritchson: Faith, and the Pursuit of Justice in Reacher

Reacher has been a huge success for the streaming service Amazon Prime, with Alan Ritchson at the helm, embodying the iconic character created by author Lee Child. As viewers delve into the enigmatic world of Jack Reacher, the series prompts reflection on the concept of justice and its multifaceted dimensions.

Alan Ritchson’s portrayal of Jack Reacher introduces audiences to a character characterised by an unwavering commitment to loyalty and justice. The series, adapted from Lee Child’s bestselling novels, presents a pulse-pounding action narrative that revolves around Reacher’s pursuit of justice. From the opening scenes, Ritchson captures the essence of the ex-military police major with a no-nonsense attitude and a strong moral compass.

Ritchson himself embodies the character created by Childs, who has praised the series and the star for its adherence to the source material.

One of the central themes of Reacher is the notion of vigilante justice, where Reacher takes matters into his own hands to rectify perceived wrongs. His unorthodox methods often involve a blend of intuition, physical prowess, and an acute sense of justice. The series raises thought-provoking questions about the fine line between vigilantism and conventional legal systems.

While Reacher’s methods may seem extreme, they also highlight the failures and shortcomings of traditional justice systems. The character’s dedication to uncovering the truth, regardless of the obstacles, challenges viewers to contemplate whether justice is better served by the system or by individuals who are willing to go to any lengths to ensure accountability.

Reacher doesn’t shy away from portraying the imperfections within the legal and policing systems. The series suggests that, at times, the pursuit of justice within the confines of the law may be hindered by bureaucracy, corruption, and systemic issues. Reacher’s character becomes a symbol of resistance against a system that, in his eyes, often falls short of delivering true justice.

This depiction prompts viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of justice and question the effectiveness of a legal system that can be manipulated or hindered by those with power.

At the heart of Reacher is a strong emphasis on morality and personal responsibility. While Reacher’s methods may be unconventional, his underlying moral code serves as a guiding force.

Ritchson recently told AP News that Reacher “really brings to life in us the desire that we all have to see justice done in a world that is so unjust, in a world where law is so cumbersome and clumsy and slow and he’s instant righteousness. I think we’re fascinated by that. There’s a lot of wish fulfillment in that for us, at least for me.”

Ritchson is also not shy about revealing his Christian faith online, and he has been criticised for playing such a morally ambiguous character in the hit show.

“I love playing Reacher. I love telling this story. I love playing a character who creates a kind of moral ambiguity that we should struggle against as we consider whether or not what he’s doing is good all the time or morally right,” said Ritchson in a video posted to social media. “I think that kind of thing is fun and fascinating, and I think escaping to that world as an audience, hopefully it’s as enjoyable for you as it is for me to help bring it to life.”

“But it’s funny to me how a lot of people criticize me, supposed Christians especially criticize me for playing Reacher,” he continued, “as if the only TV that should exist is seeing people silently folding their hands in the pew of a church. I mean, what kind of stories are we supposed to tell?”

On Jan. 7, Ritchson addressed his critics by challenging them to look at the stories contained in Scripture. “What do you find?” he asked. “You see a thousand years of an infinitely holy God holding tension with human beings as he tells the story of who he is, reveals who he is through an imperfect people.”

“Far from being neat and tidy, many of the biblical accounts are quite raw,” Ritchson said the Bible contains “stories of paganism and war and bloodshed and ghost stories, mysticism.”

“We see miracles and magic,” he said, “and we see life and resurrection and death, and we see this incredible canvas where God is completely unafraid to tell the story of who he is through less than morally ambiguous characters, through pure evil sometimes.”

Those who are worried about questions such as whether Ritchson is doing what is right by playing Reacher “are missing that moment, that confrontation that God is waiting for in all of our lives,” he said.

“I hope if you haven’t confronted that question yet that this conversation helps bring you to it sooner,” said Ritchson.

Alan Ritchson’s portrayal emphasises Reacher’s internal struggle between upholding a moral high ground and navigating the morally ambiguous situations he often finds himself in. This dichotomy reflects the complexities of justice and the moral gray areas that exist within the pursuit of what is right.

Reacher unfolds as a personal journey for its main character and the actor portraying him onscreen, one that transcends conventional notions of justice. As Reacher navigates a labyrinth of mysteries and confronts powerful adversaries, the series suggests that justice is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Instead, it is a deeply personal and evolving journey that requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to uncovering the truth.

Season 1 and 2 are currently streaming with a subscription to Amazon Prime

You can follow Alan Ritchson on Instagram at @alanritchson and view his latest InstaChurch sermon here or follow his sermons on Instagram using #instachurch.