On August 27, 2025, Amazon Prime Video unleashed all seven episodes of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, a military thriller that has fans buzzing with excitement and critics hailing it as “Jack Ryan on steroids.” Starring Taylor Kitsch as Ben Edwards, a Navy SEAL turned CIA operative, this prequel to the 2022 hit The Terminal List delivers a no-holds-barred, action-packed saga of betrayals, secret agendas, and government-level conspiracies. With intense shootouts, macho heroics, and jaw-dropping plot twists, Dark Wolf is a binge-worthy masterpiece that’s equal parts explosive and addictive. Kitsch, a Hollywood star who’s long deserved a leading role to match his talent, steps into the spotlight with a performance that’s being called career-defining. This article dives into the heart of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, exploring its premise, Kitsch’s rise to prominence, the show’s high-octane appeal, and why it’s the must-watch thriller of 2025.

The Premise: A Gritty, High-Stakes Espionage Thriller

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a prequel to the 2022 series The Terminal List, based on Jack Carr’s bestselling novels. Set seven years before the events of the original, which starred Chris Pratt as Navy SEAL James Reece, Dark Wolf shifts the focus to Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch), a former SEAL navigating the murky world of CIA black operations. Co-created by Carr, a former SEAL himself, and showrunner David DiGilio, the series explores Edwards’ transformation from a decorated operator to a morally compromised operative, delving into the darker side of warfare and its human cost.

The story kicks off with Edwards leading a high-stakes mission to secure ultra-specialized centrifuge bearings—critical components for uranium enrichment—that have fallen into the wrong hands. As he navigates a web of betrayals, from double-crossing allies to shadowy government agendas, Edwards grapples with his own demons, repeating the mantra “Long live the brotherhood” even as his loyalty is tested. The seven-episode arc, released all at once on Prime Video, is packed with pulse-pounding action: tactical assaults in global hotspots, hand-to-hand combat, and explosions that rival a Mission: Impossible film. Yet, it’s the psychological depth—Edwards’ struggle between duty and morality—that elevates Dark Wolf beyond a typical action flick.

The show’s authenticity, driven by Carr’s military expertise and contributions from veteran consultants like Jared Shaw, a former SEAL and executive producer, ensures every detail, from weapons handling to tactical jargon, feels real. “We didn’t make this for critics,” Carr told MovieWeb. “We made it for the guys who’ve been downrange, so they can say, ‘They got it right.’” With a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Dark Wolf has struck a chord, delivering a thriller that’s as emotionally resonant as it is explosive.

Taylor Kitsch: A Star Finally in the Spotlight

At the center of Dark Wolf is Taylor Kitsch, whose portrayal of Ben Edwards is earning rave reviews as a career-defining performance. Kitsch, 44, has long been a Hollywood talent poised for superstardom, yet his career path has been a rollercoaster. Rising to fame as Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights (2006–2011), he showcased a magnetic blend of charisma and vulnerability. However, big-budget flops like John Carter (2012) and Battleship (2012) stalled his momentum, relegating him to supporting roles in projects like True Detective Season 2 and Waco. His turn as Ben Edwards in The Terminal List (2022) hinted at his potential, but Dark Wolf finally gives him the leading role he deserves.

Kitsch brings a raw intensity to Edwards, capturing the character’s physical prowess and psychological turmoil. “He’s a guy who’s all-in but breaking apart,” Kitsch told The Hollywood Reporter. His ability to convey both stoic machismo and inner conflict makes Edwards a compelling anti-hero, with scenes of him bellowing “Who are you working for?!” to a suspected traitor showcasing his commanding presence. Critics have praised his “world-weary star power,” with Roger Ebert noting, “Kitsch looks like a magazine cover model even when battered, but his edgy intensity carries the show.”

Kitsch’s preparation was grueling, involving months of tactical training with Navy SEALs and a 20-pound weight loss to embody Edwards’ lean, battle-hardened frame. His chemistry with co-star Rona-Lee Shimon, who plays Eliza Perash, adds a sizzling dynamic, while his scenes with Chris Pratt, reprising James Reece, ground the series in their shared brotherhood. Kitsch’s personal connection to the role—having grown up in a working-class Canadian family and facing his own struggles—lends authenticity, making his rise as Dark Wolf’s lead a triumphant moment.

The Cast: A Powerhouse Ensemble

Dark Wolf boasts a stellar supporting cast, enhancing its gripping narrative. Chris Pratt, also an executive producer, returns as James Reece in a recurring role, appearing in key episodes to anchor the prequel to the original series. His gravelly voice-over in the pilot, reflecting on the SEAL brotherhood, sets a somber tone. Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy) plays Raife Hastings, a former SEAL with a mysterious agenda, while Robert Wisdom (The Wire) is Jed Haverford, a seasoned CIA operative guiding Edwards. Luke Hemsworth (Westworld), Dar Salim (The Covenant), Rona-Lee Shimon (Fauda), Shiraz Tzarfati, and Jared Shaw add depth, with Shaw’s real-life SEAL experience ensuring authenticity.

The ensemble’s chemistry, particularly between Kitsch and Pratt, mirrors the camaraderie of real special forces teams. Hopper’s intense performance and Wisdom’s gravitas provide counterpoints to Kitsch’s lead, while Shimon’s Eliza brings emotional stakes to Edwards’ journey. “The cast is outstanding,” wrote Roger Ebert. “Each player elevates the high-octane action into something human.”

Why It Feels Like Jack Ryan on Steroids

Dark Wolf takes the military thriller genre to new heights, earning its “Jack Ryan on steroids” moniker through its relentless pace, intricate plotting, and visceral action. Unlike Jack Ryan, which balances geopolitical intrigue with procedural elements, Dark Wolf leans into raw, unfiltered intensity. The action sequences—shootouts in dimly lit alleys, helicopter raids, and hand-to-hand combat—are choreographed with precision, rivaling Reacher’s brutality and Mission: Impossible’s spectacle. A standout scene in episode three, where Edwards fires a rocket launcher from a helicopter, has fans buzzing, with one X post calling it “the most badass thing I’ve seen since John Wick.”

The show’s plot is a labyrinth of betrayals and conspiracies, with each episode unveiling twists that keep viewers guessing. From a double-agent within the CIA to a shadowy corporation tied to the centrifuge bearings, the narrative weaves government-level stakes with personal stakes. Edwards’ internal struggle—balancing his loyalty to the SEAL brotherhood with the CIA’s murky ethics—adds depth, making Dark Wolf more than just an action fest. “It’s not just about explosions,” Kitsch told Variety. “It’s about what it costs to live in that world.”

The production values are top-notch, with global locations from Istanbul to Prague creating a cinematic feel. Directed by Frederick E.O. Toye (Shōgun) in the pilot, the series boasts first-rate cinematography, with a Third Man poster cameo adding a nod to classic espionage. MovieWeb praised its “visceral punch,” noting that the show avoids clichés like “masked bad guys who can’t shoot straight,” instead delivering realistic, high-stakes combat.

Fan and Critical Reception: An Addictive Hit

Since its debut, Dark Wolf has dominated Prime Video’s charts, topping the “Top 10” list within days and earning 1.1 billion minutes viewed in two weeks, per Nielsen. Fans on X and Reddit are raving, with posts like “Dark Wolf is Reacher and Jack Ryan had a baby, and it’s awesome!” and “Taylor Kitsch is a beast—give this man all the awards.” The hashtag #DarkWolf trends daily, with TikTok edits of Kitsch’s action scenes going viral. “That rocket launcher moment? I’m deceased,” one user wrote.

Critics are equally enthusiastic. The Telegraph called it “must-watch television for thriller enthusiasts,” while Roger Ebert lauded its “Bourne-level action with a human core.” However, some critiques, like The Guardian’s note of “convoluted plot devices,” suggest the MacGuffin-heavy story can feel dense. Despite this, the 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes reflects its broad appeal, with fans praising its authenticity and emotional depth.

Kitsch’s Hollywood Journey: A Star on the Rise

Kitsch’s leading role in Dark Wolf is a long-overdue spotlight. After early successes in Friday Night Lights, his career hit roadblocks with films like Savages and Lone Survivor, which, while critically praised, didn’t cement him as a lead. His recent roles in American Primeval and The Terminal List showed promise, but Dark Wolf is his moment. “I’ve waited for a role like this,” Kitsch told The Hollywood Reporter. “Ben Edwards is me at my rawest.” With buzz around Emmy nominations and interest from studios for future projects, Kitsch is finally poised to become the A-lister he was meant to be.

The Broader Impact: Redefining Military Thrillers

Dark Wolf sets a new benchmark for military thrillers, blending Reacher’s grit with Jack Ryan’s intrigue and a dose of Bourne’s intensity. Its commitment to authenticity—veteran consultants, realistic tactics—challenges the genre to prioritize substance over spectacle. The show’s exploration of moral ambiguity and the cost of warfare resonates in 2025, a year marked by global tensions. “This is for the warriors who’ve lived it,” Carr said, echoing its appeal to military audiences while captivating casual viewers.

The series also highlights Kitsch’s potential as a leading man, joining the ranks of Pratt and John Krasinski. Its success—streamed in over 240 countries—underscores Prime Video’s knack for high-stakes action, with Reacher and The Boys as companions. Fans are already clamoring for a second season, with posts like “Give us more Ben Edwards!” flooding X.

Challenges and Production Insights

Filming Dark Wolf was no small feat, with Kitsch and the cast enduring rigorous training and global shoots. The tight schedule, starting in March 2024, and the complex action sequences posed challenges, but the involvement of veterans like Shaw ensured precision. The centrifuge bearings plot, while intricate, has drawn minor criticism for being too technical, yet it grounds the story in real-world stakes.

Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, MRC, and Civic Center Media, with executive producers like Kitsch, Pratt, Carr, and Antoine Fuqua, the series reflects a collaborative vision. Fuqua’s influence, seen in Training Day, adds cinematic flair, while weekly episode drops after the initial three keep viewers hooked through September 24, 2025.

Conclusion

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a game-changer, a military thriller that hits harder than Jack Ryan or Reacher with its relentless action, shocking twists, and Taylor Kitsch’s star-making turn as Ben Edwards. Dropped on August 27, 2025, all seven episodes deliver a rollercoaster of shootouts, betrayals, and conspiracies, grounded by Kitsch’s raw performance and a commitment to authenticity. From helicopter raids to moral dilemmas, the series is a binge-worthy triumph, earning its “Jack Ryan on steroids” label. As fans rave and Kitsch finally claims the spotlight, Dark Wolf redefines the genre, proving that in the world of espionage and brotherhood, every twist is worth the fight. Stream it now on Prime Video and brace for an addictive ride.