Alan Ritchson has cemented himself as Hollywood’s newest action star throughthree suspenseful seasons of Amazon Prime Video’sReacher, where the actor wowed audiences with his charisma and physicality. Before he was slated to playLee Child’s Jack Reacher, however, Ritchson starred in a 2019 supernatural film thathighlighted his promise as both an actor and an imposing, formidable force.
Starring Olivia Thirlby, Megan Fox, and Jim Gaffigan,Above the Shadowsfollows an invisible woman as she helps a former MMA fighter (Ritchson) plan a comeback. What’s gripping about the film is its significance to Ritchson, since it not only highlighted his physical talent—it also proved to be his biggest dramatic role yet, paving the way for international stardom.
Alan Ritchson’s Above The Shadows Proved He’d Be A Perfect Jack Reacher
Ritchson Got To Show Off His Vulnerability
InAbove the Shadows, Ritchson plays Shayne Blackwell,a fighter whose future was curbed by a compromising phototaken by Holly (Thirby), an invisible paparazzo who can only be seen by Shayne. Overwhelmed with grief, Holly begins helping Shayne revive his career, and the two begin to grow close until trouble ensues in the form of Shayne’s ex, Juliana (Fox).
On a deeper scale, however, it’s the vulnerability in Ritchson’s performance that truly drives the film home…
What makes Ritchson so compelling inAbove the Shadowsis—in part—his towering frame and physicality, which lends credibility to his many fight scenes. On a deeper scale, however, it’s the vulnerability in Ritchson’s performance that truly drives the film home, as this candor invokes an empathy that translates near-perfectly to the gravitas in his stoic, trauma-driven performance inReacher.
Alan Ritchson’s Early Roles Didn’t Entirely Suggest He’d Be A Future Action Star
The Reacher Actor Often Played Second Fiddle
From roles in Carhartt commercials to comedies likeBlue Mountain State, it didn’t always appear that Alan Ritchson was slatedto play one of television’s most iconic and distinct antiheroes. Then again, if Tom Hanks can go fromBosom BuddiestoSaving Private Ryanin only 16 years, then there’s hope for all aspiring actors in La La Land.
One throughline in Ritchson’s career thathinted at his promise as an action star was his physicality, a trait that was highlighted in his role as Aquaman inSmallville, Gloss inThe Hunger Games, and eventhe voice acting and motion capture work he did as Raphaelin Michael Bay’s live-actionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfilm.
Nevertheless,Above the Shadowsprevails as Ritchson’s big break as a dramatic lead, demonstrating his emotional capacity and accelerating his race to the top of Hollywood’s action hero A-list. Despite its 64% RT rating,the film stands today as both the catalyst forthe greatest adaptation of Jack Reacher yetand as an enchanting supernatural romance in its own right.
