After the explosive events of Without Remorse (2021), the story of Navy SEAL John Kelly—now operating under the codename John Clark—continues in the highly anticipated sequel, Without Remorse: Ghost Protocol. Set in the gritty, espionage-laced universe of Tom Clancy’s military thrillers, this sequel deepens the political intrigue and emotional stakes, while delivering tightly choreographed action and an even more unpredictable narrative.
Michael B. Jordan reprises his role as Clark, now fully embedded within the CIA’s deepest black-ops unit. But when a covert mission in Eastern Europe is compromised and an entire field team is wiped out, Clark uncovers evidence that suggests a mole within the agency—and a mysterious assassin only known as “The Ghost,” targeting former operatives of the Rainbow program.
Haunted by the sins of his past and disillusioned with the agency he once trusted, Clark goes rogue. With help from returning ally Lt. Karen Greer (played by Jodie Turner-Smith) and a reluctant Russian informant, he must untangle a web of betrayal stretching from Washington to the Arctic Circle. The stakes escalate when Clark discovers that “The Ghost” may be tied to his own presumed-dead past—and someone he once called family.
Director Stefano Sollima returns with tighter control and more cinematic flair than in the 2021 installment. Gone is the origin story pacing; instead, Ghost Protocol hits the ground running, balancing brutal realism with nerve-wracking suspense. From snow-covered ambushes in Murmansk to underwater infiltration sequences that rival Mission: Impossible, the sequel expands the scale while never losing focus on its central character.
Jordan delivers a more layered performance this time around—Clark is still a weapon, but one questioning who he’s really fighting for. The film’s central theme of loyalty versus survival gives it emotional resonance, especially as it lays the groundwork for the long-teased Rainbow Six adaptation.
While some critics may argue the plot becomes overly complex in the third act, and a few supporting characters feel underused, the film ultimately succeeds in delivering what it promises: a smart, high-stakes action thriller with a conscience.
