Tom Selleck’s Nine Jesse Stone Movies, Ranked Worst to Best

Although his most iconic work will always appear in and as Magnum PITom Selleck, in his 50 years in Hollywood, has also achieved two long-running roles as police officers – the most iconic leading man in Blue Bloodwhich ended in season 14, and the titular character of Jesse Stone film series, based on the novels written by Robert B. Parker and one of Selleck’s often overlooked roles. Spanning a decade, the series comprises nine made-for-TV films, following the police chief of Paradise, Massachusetts, as he investigates serious crimes in a seemingly quiet and peaceful town.

Fired from his job at the LAPD due to a drinking problem that began after Jesse’s divorce from his wife, he found a job in law enforcement in a quiet town near Boston. But not everything is as it seems, as Jesse gradually uncovers corruption and conspiracies to protect criminals and keep illegal activities hidden from the eyes of the law. In many ways, Jesse Stone is an older Jack Reacher. After a nearly decade-long hiatus following the ninth film, Blue Blood’ the ending sparked hope for Selleck to return as Jesse Stone and continue the saga.

9

Jesse Stone: Cold Stone (2005)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #2

The first of the films to be released, Jesse Stone: Cold Stone It’s a relatively rough start to the series. Jesse simultaneously investigates two cases: a triple homicide and the rape of a student. The two mysteries feel disconnected and remain that way throughout the runtime. Although it may seem like two separate stories are being told at the same time, because of Selleck’s low-effort charisma as a disgruntled and cynical man, Cold Stone can be engaging.

It’s hard to like Jesse because he’s a brave cop who’s willing to break the rules if it suits him and he can also be a sleazy drunk. This makes for a good character study, but Cold Stone It kind of fails him because his superior detective skills are mostly mentioned. If his detective skills had been on display and the killers hadn’t been revealed to viewers from the beginning, Cold Stone It wouldn’t have felt like a drag, despite being less than 90 minutes long.

8

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #7

The only film in the series not directed by Robert Harmon Jesse Stone: Lost Innocents It’s the slowest of all. And yet, there is no shortage of plot points. Jesse is investigating two different murders, although he has been removed from his position as police chief in Paradise, with a councilman’s son now holding that position. Mainly, Lost Innocents suffers from not spending time with the detective side of Jesse Stone.

Most of the film deals with Jesse’s problems with his ex-wife, his drinking problem, and how his ego conflicts with the new police chief. The film stands out in the series because Dick Lowry’s direction gives it a different look than all the other episodes. The fun tone suits the story, however, while the lull in pacing feels natural to the series’ overarching plot, Innocences Lost is a necessary but not the most fascinating chapter.

7

Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #1

Although it was released a year after the first film Jesse Stone: night passage is narratively a prequel to Jesse Stone: Cold Stone. Some of the flaws in Jesse’s characterization in Cold Stone in fact, it seems less evident if this film is watched after Night Passage. The context of why he came to Paradise plays out throughout most of the film, although there is also a relatively convincing crime story. It is also the only moment in which the series breaks the linear progression of time, with the other Jesse Stone films in order.

Night Passage is predictable from the start, even if the villain’s identity isn’t revealed right away. The protagonist and the film run through a list of TV noir film clichés, whether in dialogue or plot. There’s a warm feeling to Jesse Stone’s films, but they’re not intellectually stimulating. The strong point is Selleck’s performance as the troubled police officer. Of course, for Night PassageViola Davis’ presence is a strong point, and she has significantly more screen time than in the previous film.

6

Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #4

Introducing Davis’ departure from the Jesse Stone series Jesse Stone: Maritime Change has an interesting detective plot that presents a moral dilemma for Jesse. His carefreeness hasn’t changed, but he made a change in his life after his ex-wife told him to stop contacting her. The tired formula of what crime is committed and by whom, and even how the protagonist will end up stopping them, is bypassed by the Radical change because Jesse investigates a cold case that ends very differently than all the mysteries he has investigated before.

Selleck’s performance draws empathy for Jesse’s struggles, as he is possibly the most depressed of Maritime Change. His problems are believable because Selleck adds weight to the persona, matching the slow pace of the film with the rhythm of his movements. Despite Jesse being the least charismatic he has been thus far, and Davis’ screen time has decreased significantly, Radical change remains interesting by committing to the titular character’s darkness and the crime he is investigating.

5

Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #3

Focusing mainly on the mystery compared to the previous two installments, Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise presents a sense of comfort in the form of familiarity with the characters. The pacing problems of spending too much time with characters who don’t have a great effect on Jesse, or of Jesse simply walking around town doing nothing, are somewhat resolved in Death in Paradise.

While Selleck shines as always as the dysfunctional detective who is convinced by her ex-wife to finally seek help, Death in Paradise it also features the most screen time for Davis compared to the other films, and is better for it. His characterization receives attention, and a fascinating and loving person crawls out of the shell of unexplored characters from previous episodes.

4

Jesse Stone: The Benefit of the Doubt (2012)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #8

After the events of Lost Innocents, Jesse Stone: The Benefit of the Doubt is a return to the classic formula of the Jesse Stone films, when the current police chief is killed and Jesse is reinstated in his position. The film also marks the return of some other prominent characters who left after Jesse was originally removed from his post, including his therapist.

With the help of his incredible abilities and his therapist helping him make sense of the jumble of thoughts in his head, Jesse uncovers a drug ring that has been hidden and operating under everyone’s noses this entire time. There is some action towards the end of the film, but the slow pace still doesn’t change. Benefit of the doubt crawls at a gradual pace toward its conclusion, taking time for Jesse’s emotional recovery as he finds structure in his life again.

3

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #5

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice sees an interesting deviation from the typical plot by focusing on Jesse’s shortcomings as a police officer – he kills a lot of people. The open disregard for the rules that make him an unpleasant character finally catches up with him, but that doesn’t stop him from investigating another criminal against direct orders. He also fell out with his ex-wife, possibly foreshadowing that he will begin to move on.

The side plot of Thin Icewhile it’s not significant to the recurring characters’ arcs, it’s an interesting investigation with a dark ending and no deaths. Still, Jesse’s handling of the procedure and his sexual adventures, some of questionable morality, make him very difficult to tolerate. If Selleck weren’t such a superior actor, it would be impossible to feel sorry for his character.

2

Jesse Stone: Without Remorse (2010)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #6

The most notable part Jesse Stone: Unapologetic is that Jesse finally stops his ex-wife. He also takes therapy more seriously, decides to open up to some people he considers friends and manages to reduce his alcohol consumption. It is ironic yet poetic that so many positive changes occurred after he was kicked out of the police force.

No remorse is proof that Jesse Stone’s films are generally stronger when they focus on the characters and their arcs rather than the mysteries, which are often mediocre or predictable. No remorse is one of the best in the series because Jesse shows the most character development and because the film spends time with recurring secondary characters outside of a police capacity, so they become more fleshed out as characters.

1

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)

Chronologically Jesse Stone #9

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise It’s proof that patience pays off, as it’s Jesse Stone’s latest and greatest film. Part of the charm definitely comes from realizing that this is Selleck’s passion project, because it was his and his fans’ efforts that ensured Hallmark picked up the character and series after CBS halted production on the films following Benefit of the doubt.

With fewer recurring characters and Jesse operating in a new role far from Paradise, where crime rates have finally fallen, Lost in Paradise It feels like new territory. The relief of realizing that although the formula is still there, it is not the only factor in the story, makes Lost in Paradise particularly fun. Jesse is doing better than ever and even got a new dog. Whether it’s a series conclusion or a new contract, Lost in Paradise feels like a long-deserved break from convention, without losing character for the Jesse Stone series.