Move over, Taylor Sheridan—there's a new chart contender on Paramount+. While Sheridan's neo-western empire continues to dominate the streaming landscape, an unexpected challenger has emerged: Chris Pine's 2022 action thriller The Contractor. The film has quietly achieved what few movies manage, spending more than 50 consecutive days on Paramount+'s domestic streaming charts according to FlixPatrol data, proving that sometimes a film finds its true audience years after its initial release.
From Theatrical Underperformer to Streaming Sleeper Hit
Originally released in 2022 with a day-and-date theatrical and PVOD strategy, The Contractor received mixed critical reception and failed to make significant waves at the box office. Directed by Tarik Saleh (Westworld, Ray Donovan), the film currently holds a 45% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus noting it's "caught between message movie and standard-issue action thriller." However, audiences have responded much more favorably, awarding it a 72% audience score—a disparity that likely explains its remarkable streaming resurgence.
The film reunites Chris Pine with his Hell or High Water co-star Ben Foster, alongside Gillian Jacobs, Eddie Marsan, and Kiefer Sutherland. This isn't Pine's first attempt at capturing the action-thriller demographic; he previously starred in 2014's Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, which was intended to launch a franchise but ultimately underperformed, leading to the character's reboot as a Prime Video series starring John Krasinski.
The 'Reacher' Effect and Streaming's Second Life
The Contractor's success highlights an interesting streaming phenomenon: the "second life" effect. Much like how Chris Pratt's 'The Terminal List' found massive success on Prime Video, some action thrillers resonate more with home audiences than theatrical ones. The film's resurgence coincides with the massive popularity of Prime Video's Reacher, which has cemented Alan Ritchson as a streaming-era action star and created increased appetite for similar content.
While not directly connected, The Contractor serves as what streaming algorithms might consider a "perfect alternative" for viewers who have binged Reacher and are looking for more military-tinged action with a charismatic lead. This demonstrates how successful streaming properties can create rising tides that lift similar content, even years after initial release.
Paramount+'s Expanding Action Library
The film's sustained performance on Paramount+ is particularly notable given the platform's established strengths. While Taylor Sheridan's universe—including Yellowstone and its spinoffs—has long been the platform's crown jewel (as detailed in our article 'Yellowstone Reigns Supreme'), The Contractor represents a different kind of success story. It's proving that the platform can sustain non-Sheridan content for extended periods, potentially signaling a diversification strategy.
This milestone comes at an interesting time for Paramount+, which continues to compete in the crowded streaming landscape. The platform's ability to give older films new life mirrors similar successes elsewhere, such as the recent resurgence of Anya Taylor-Joy's 'Split' on Apple TV+ or the continued popularity of legacy titles across services.
What This Means for Pine's Streaming Future
For Chris Pine, this streaming success represents an interesting career pivot. While known for blockbuster franchises like Star Trek and Wonder Woman, The Contractor's performance demonstrates his viability in the direct-to-streaming action space. The film's international distribution as a Prime Video original overseas further highlights the global nature of streaming success.
As streaming platforms continue to mine existing libraries for unexpected hits, The Contractor serves as a case study in how audience preferences can diverge from critical reception. The film's 103-minute runtime, straightforward action, and recognizable cast have proven perfectly suited for the streaming environment, where viewers often seek reliable, familiar entertainment. This success story suggests we may see more studios reevaluating their back catalogs for similar hidden gems that could find new audiences in the streaming era.
