For the very first time, all seven episodes of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf are now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. That said, is it worth binge-watching the entire series?

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a prequel series to the popular 2022 Amazon series The Terminal List, based on the novel by Jack Carr. Before you can watch Dark Wolf, which focuses on the CIA origin story of Ben Edwards, played by Taylor Kitsch, it’s essential to watch The Terminal List starring Chris Pratt as Navy SEAL Commander James Reece.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf begins in 2015 with Ben and Reece as members of the Navy SEALs Alpha Platoon. After making a costly rogue play downrange, Ben is stripped of his “bird” and is dishonorably discharged from the elite squadron. He’s then recruited by a CIA operative named Haverford to carry out a covert mission involving Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Why You Should Press Play On The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

If you’re a fan of The Terminal List, then chances are you’re already caught up on Dark Wolf, since the season 1 finale was released on September 24, 2025. If you’ve seen The Terminal List but are on the fence about diving into the prequel, be assured that there are several notable differences between the two series. The biggest of them all is genre.

While The Terminal List is a dark revenge story and psychological thriller, Dark Wolf is much more of a traditional globe-trotting spy action drama, which establishes a very different tone from the jump. There are plenty of compelling action sequences, firefights, and espionage tactics that make Dark Wolf just as spectacular as most action movies.

There are elements of the Mission: Impossible franchise written all over Dark Wolf, as well as other spy action movies like The Amateur and Black Bag. The Terminal List, by comparison, is more similar to series like The Punisher. It may also come as a relief that the plot and themes of Dark Wolf are not as devastating as in The Terminal List.

Some moments in Dark Wolf are actually fun, whereas many viewers considered The Terminal List to be intense and depressing. The soundtrack is one of the best aspects of Dark Wolf, especially if you’re into classic rock. Kitsch is outstanding as Ben, providing insight into his character and beliefs that will eventually deliver him to his fate in the original series.

Why You May Want To Pass On The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

Chris Pratt was a major draw for The Terminal List, but he does not appear very much in Dark Wolf. Kitsch does a great job of taking the reins of the franchise, but this may disappoint Pratt fans. Additionally, the aforementioned genre and tone shifts may feel unaligned with The Terminal List, especially if you enjoyed the dark nature of the original series.

Dark Wolf is bookended by great entries, but the middle episodes might feel a bit generic and part of a run-of-the-mill action plot you’ve already seen a dozen times. Having the opportunity to now binge the entire series is actually an advantage, since a few of the weekly installments were less impactful as standalone episodes than others.

Lastly, the plot can be a bit hard to follow, so you’ll have to pay close attention (and keep your captions on) while watching Dark Wolf. The series jumps around the world frequently, so keep your eyes peeled for location changes, as they do play into the plot quite heavily. Several waves of enemies come and go in Dark Wolf, and it can be a challenge staying up to date on what Ben is fighting for and who he is fighting against.

Binge Or Skip – Our Expert Recommendation

Our Expert’s Pick: Binge it. The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a no-frills, high-scale, military-infused action epic that is intense and surprisingly thought-provoking. Kitsch is captivating as the loose cannon Ben, and every second of screen time between him and Pratt is TV gold.