Here’s a review of the 2025 prequel series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf — what it does well, where it falls short, and whether it’s worth your time.
What is it?
Dark Wolf is a prequel to the original The Terminal List series. It focuses on Ben Edwards (played by Taylor Kitsch) and maps his transition from Navy SEAL into the covert world of the CIA. Metacritic+2Rotten Tomatoes+2
It premiered August 27, 2025 on Prime Video. Metacritic+1
The Strong Points
1. Excellent action and production quality
Many reviewers praise the series for its craft and old-school action sensibility. For example:
“The Terminal List: Dark Wolf has no interest in reinventing the wheel … it’s easy to get caught up in admiration for a show that takes this much pride in presenting the kind of old-school action entertainment that feels increasingly rare” Metacritic+1
Production values, fight choreography, and the “boom factor” get positive attention. Metacritic+1
2. Compelling premise for fans
If you liked the original series, Dark Wolf offers back-story and world-building: how Edwards got to where he is. This can be rewarding for franchise fans. For example, the Rotten Tomatoes consensus notes:
“Fans of the franchise are the likeliest to appreciate Edwards’ journey/POV.” Rotten Tomatoes+1
3. Strong supporting cast / ensemble moments
While the lead performance by Kitsch receives mixed reviews (more on that below), many find the ensemble and supporting characters elevate the material. Metacritic+1
The Weak Points
1. Lead character / performance issues
A recurring criticism is that Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards is too emotionally closed-off for a lead. From TV Guide:
“It’s hard to imagine anyone who didn’t love The Terminal List tuning in for Dark Wolf … Kitsch’s lead performance is less successful … he often plays characters who repress their emotions … his inscrutability makes him emotionally inaccessible as a lead.” TVGuide.com
In short: great gear, great tactical scenes, but less compelling in the character-drama space.
2. Familiar / cliché territory
Despite the strong action, reviewers say the series offers little novelty. For example:
“Moral ambiguity makes sense for the story it’s trying to tell, but … the prequel stands only slightly above its predecessor.” Metacritic
And:
One critic says it “does nothing to stand out from the pack.” Rotten Tomatoes+1
3. Narrative clarity / purpose
Some feel the motive and structure of the story are weaker than the original. A review noted:
“Narratively, Dark Wolf lacks the revenge-fueled clarity of purpose that drove The Terminal List, and the plot feels a bit disjointed.” Metacritic+1
4. Dark cinematography / visual issues
A more niche complaint: the show is very dark-lit, to the point of reducing clarity. One piece mentions:
“The cinematography is often literally too dark, obscuring on-screen detail.” Gazettely
My Verdict
If I were to sum it up:
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For fans of the franchise or high-octane military-spy thrillers: Dark Wolf is a solid, enjoyable ride. It delivers on action, atmosphere, and expands the world.
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For casual viewers or those looking for deep character drama or bold innovation: it may feel somewhat more of the same. The lead lacks emotional depth, and the story hits familiar beats.
I’d give it around 7/10 — plenty to enjoy, but not groundbreaking.
Should you watch it?
Consider these:
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If you enjoyed The Terminal List (the original) and want to dive deeper → Yes, I’d recommend giving Dark Wolf a go.
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If you’re more into character-driven drama, or you dislike spy/military clichés → Maybe skip or wait for a few episodes to decide.
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If you watch via streaming (like Prime) and don’t mind an episode-weekly drop instead of all at once, you’ll be comfortable. (Some reviewers disliked the week-to-week format.)
Final Thoughts
Dark Wolf doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it doesn’t need to. It knows its audience, delivers on the tactical thrills and the “big action / covert ops” mood, and quietly builds the back-story of a central character. Its weaknesses lie in fewer surprises, a somewhat closed-off lead, and sometimes heavy-handed dialogue (“brotherhood”, “team-1 go!”, etc.) that can feel clichéd.
If you’re in the mood for a well-made, lean action-thriller series with guns, explosions, operatives, and moral grey zones — this will hit the spot. Just don’t expect it to redefine the genre.
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If you like, I can pull together episode-by-episode spoilers (and highlight the best moments) for Dark Wolf. Would you be interested?