---
title: "Neagley: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/neagley/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/neagley"
critics_score: 67
critics_reviews: 8
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Neagley (2026): what the critics said

Critics' score 67 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative.

Most critics like Neagley, and their reasons hardly change from review to review. It keeps the shape of Reacher, with wrongdoers beaten up at regular intervals and a mystery that keeps moving, and it is the better for not fiddling with that. The praise gathers around Maria Sten, who is credited with making Neagley more vulnerable and more bruised than her mentor, and with carrying both the fights and the quieter scenes of a woman dealing with what has been done to her.

The reservations are about what is missing rather than what is wrong. Several reviews miss the comic timing of the parent series, and The Hollywood Reporter finds the pace sags whenever exposition and backstory take over from the chases. Variety is the one clear dissenter, arguing the series lacks its predecessor’s star power and that the central mystery never catches, with the Reacher cameos the only bright spots. The spread is otherwise narrow.

## Radio Times — Jack Seale

Rating 4/5. 15 September 2026. 

The critic views the Reacher spinoff as a solid but less jokey series that succeeds by making Neagley more vulnerable and emotionally complex than her mentor. Sten’s performance as the tough yet sensitive lead is highlighted as a strength.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/neagley-review-reacher-prime-video/)

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 2026. 

The critic finds the violent Reacher spinoff a simple, restorative escape that requires no thought beyond watching baddies get beaten up. It wisely sticks to the original formula with only minor adjustments for the new female lead.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/sep/16/neagley-review-reacher-spinoff-amazon-prime-video)

## The AV Club — Brian Tallerico

Rating B. 15 September 2026. 

The critic finds it a solid spin-off that continues the righteous action of Reacher, praising Maria Sten's performance in handling trauma and action, though missing some comic timing from the original.

[Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/neagley-review-reacher-spin-off-prime-video)

## Empire — Amon Warmann

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 September 2026. 

Warmann finds the spin-off imperfect but worthwhile, with enough promise to continue. He singles out Maria Sten’s performance and the emotionally rich exploration of Neagley’s relationship with her father.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/neagley/)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 2026. 

The critic finds Neagley delivers pulpy action pleasures similar to Reacher when focused on fights and chases but drags with filler, exposition, and an overdone backstory for the lead. Sten anchors the ensemble effectively.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/neagley-review-amazon-reacher-spinoff-1236701053/)

## Variety — Alison Herman

Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 2026. 

The review concludes the spinoff fails to capture the fun of Reacher because Neagley lacks the star power and the central mystery feels flat and unengaging. Brief Reacher cameos are the only bright spots noted.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/neagley-review-reacher-spinoff-1236861542/)

## Digital Spy — David Opie

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 2026. 

The review calls it a binge-worthy, action-packed spin-off that differentiates enough while sticking to the formula, praising Sten's emotional performance and the show's potential.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a73715850/neagley-review-reacher-cameo/)

## Collider — David Caballero

Rating 7/10. 15 September 2026. 

The critic finds it a safe but effective spin-off that delivers a compelling intimate mystery satisfying Reacher fans. It benefits from Maria Sten's strong lead performance and a likable ensemble but lacks a distinct identity of its own.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/neagley-season-1-review-prime-video-reacher-spinoff/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/neagley.md