Chris Pine has stayed away from big-budget productions in recent years. After successful projects like the Star Trek reboot series and Wonder Woman, his attempt to return to the franchise with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was unsuccessful. However, the thriller film The Contractor has turned this overlooked production in theaters into a sensational success on home video platforms. Released four years ago with a limited showing, the film only grossed $2 million at the box office, but it has become a favorite among viewers on Paramount+.

The Contractor is directed by Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh. The film brings Pine together with his co-star Ben Foster from Hell or High Water, while Gillian Jacobs and Kiefer Sutherland also feature in the cast. Filled with military themes and geopolitical intrigue, the production is designed to appeal to audiences who enjoy airport thrillers, following the mold of the Bourne series.

The film's success is particularly notable on the platform. According to FlixPatrol data, The Contractor has remained on the Paramount+ charts in the U.S. for over 70 days this year. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 45% critic score and a 72% audience score. In a statement on the platform, it was noted that "The Contractor is caught between a message film and a standard action thriller, failing to fully achieve either goal despite strong performances from the cast."

The Contractor has appealed to the audience of the Jack Ryan series with its iconic success in Prime Video's Bosch and the Reacher reboot. Pine himself attempted to launch a new film series with Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, but that production also underperformed. While it failed in theaters, its ability to remain on the platform for an extended period showcases the potential of both the actor and the film in the home video market.