Netflix’s The Gray Man, featuring Ryan Gosling in the lead role, has stirred considerable buzz since its debut, blending thrilling espionage and intense action sequences. Released three years ago and directed by the acclaimed Russo brothers, this Ryan Gosling Netflix action thriller has captured the attention of millions worldwide, despite a sharply divided critical reception.
The film follows Gosling’s character, Sierra Six, a covert operative whose identity is concealed while navigating a perilous manhunt after uncovering dangerous agency secrets. Set against international backdrops, Six teams up with rogue agent Dani, played by Ana de Armas, to evade relentless pursuit by the cold and ruthless agent Hansen, portrayed by Chris Evans. Their globe-trotting escapades feature explosions, air crashes, and relentless combat, delivering nonstop action to the audience.
Star-Studded Cast Brings Depth to the Spy Thriller
Supporting the lead duo, the cast boasts notable names like Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard, Ana de Armas, and Regé-Jean Page, each contributing to the movie’s layered espionage narrative. Thornton’s role as Fitzroy, the mentor who recruited Sierra Six, offers a grounded presence amidst the film’s sensory overload. Known for his versatility across genres—from Armageddon to Bad Santa and the Coen brothers’ noir The Man Who Wasn’t There—Thornton balances The Gray Man’s loud spectacle with subtle gravitas, elevating the story’s emotional stakes.
Regé-Jean Page fits well into the role of the slippery CIA commander, adding tension to the espionage drama, while Ana de Armas’s Dani provides a wary yet essential ally to Gosling’s character. Chris Evans embodies Hansen with a cold sociopathy that drives much of the film’s conflict.
Polarized Reception: Critics Skeptical, Audiences Enthralled
Despite the high production values and formidable cast, critical reception has been notably lukewarm. The Gray Man holds a surprisingly low 45% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating ambivalence or disappointment among professional reviewers. In striking contrast, audience scores tell a different story, with a 90% approval rating reflecting widespread viewer enjoyment.
This divergence underscores the film’s nature as a large-scale, loud, and unabashedly intense action piece, which can alienate some critics while captivating the mainstream audience seeking high-energy thrills. The score and sound design intentionally amplify the adrenaline, pairing pulsating music with quick editing, blurred visuals, and dizzying aerial shots.
The Film’s Enduring Popularity on Netflix
More than just a fleeting hit, The Gray Man has proven to be one of Netflix’s most-watched films, amassing over 139 million views worldwide. It ranks eighth among Netflix’s all-time top ten global hits, standing alongside popular titles like Back In Action (2025), Carry-On (2024), and the top spot holder Red Notice (2021). Its sustained popularity demonstrates that audiences continue to find compelling entertainment in its explosive storyline and star performances.
Billy Bob Thornton’s Current Success with Paramount Plus Show
Meanwhile, Billy Bob Thornton has gained attention with his role in the Paramount Plus western series Landman, inspired by the Texas Monthly podcast Boomtown. The series explores the modern oil rush and its impact through Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, a crisis manager caught between corporate demands and personal struggles.
Landman achieved record-breaking viewership, with nearly 15 million households tuning in during its first month, making it the streamer’s most successful original show to date. Filming on the second season is underway, with a potential premiere slated for 2026. The suspenseful season one finale left numerous questions unanswered, including Norris’s handling of his new corporate responsibilities and the implications of cartel leader Galino’s arrival.
Returning cast members include Demi Moore and Ali Larter, with Sam Elliott joining as a regular. Recurring appearances from Guy Burnet and Miriam Silverman further enrich the series’ ensemble. Thornton has hinted at the upcoming season’s complex storytelling, observing,
It makes for some pretty interesting stuff, I have to say.
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Global Availability and Audience Engagement
The Gray Man remains accessible to viewers in the US and UK through Netflix, while all episodes of Landman’s first season are available on Paramount Plus in the same regions. Fans eager for more suspenseful storytelling continue to follow both the high-octane cinematic adventures of Sierra Six and the intense, character-driven drama of Tommy Norris’s world.
As The Gray Man continues to enjoy global viewing success, its contrasting critical and public reception highlights how action-packed entertainment resonates differently across diverse audiences. The ongoing popularity suggests that future projects involving the Russo brothers, Ryan Gosling, and other principal cast members will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ryan Gosling take 4 years off?
A. When asked about his break, Gosling said he decided to take it after he and his partner, Eva Mendes, had their second child. “I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could,” he mentioned. He also noted that this time off changed how he felt about his acting career.
Q. What is Ryan Gosling’s religion?
A. His parents have some French Canadian roots, as well as German, English, Scottish, and Irish heritage. His family belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Gosling mentioned that this faith shaped their daily lives.
Q. Why did Ryan Gosling take four years off?
A. Gosling’s Absence
The main reason Gosling has not appeared in movies recently is straightforward: he chose to focus on family time.
Q. Does Ryan Gosling have any disabilities?
A. The actor faced many challenges while growing up. Despite these difficulties, he succeeded in becoming one of the top actors and earning three Oscar nominations. The Blade Runner 2049 star revealed he had a learning disability, which made things tougher for him.
