Guy Ritchie's Ambitious Indiana Jones Replacement on Apple TV Nails One Thing Perfectly

5 days ago 9

Published Jan 29, 2026, 5:18 PM EST

Collier Jennings is an entertainment journalist with a substantial amount of experience under his belt. Collier, or "CJ" to his friends and family, is a dedicated fan of genre films - particularly science fiction, fantasy and comic book adaptations, not to mention all forms of animation animation. This stems from a close bond with his father, who introduced him to these genres via copies of X-Men comics and reruns of the original Ultraman series. Using his near-encyclopedic knowledge and bottomless love of genre, he's been able to tackle a wide variety of articles.

Guy Ritchie is well known for his gritty action movies, including the blood-soaked period piece The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Wrath of Man. It's one of Ritchie's more recent films that's re-entered the conversation, as his globetrotting adventure film Fountain of Youth continues to top streaming charts. Fountain of Youth remains in the #5 spot on Apple TV's Top 10 movies list, having held the spot throughout the entire month of January. Considering this list also includes Best Picture nominee F1 and Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest, that's a very impressive feat.

Fountain of Youth features a plot that wouldn't feel out of place in a Indiana Jones movie: treasure hunter Luke Purdue (John Krasinski) is hired to find the titular Fountain of Youth, and in the process reunites with his estranged sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman). Add in a star-studded cast that includes Eiza González and Domhnall Gleeson, and Ritchie's penchant for action, and it's no surprise why Fountain of Youth is continuing to hold space on the streaming charts. One key element might explain Fountain of Youth's appeal: the family dynamic between Luke and Charlotte.

John Krasinski and Natalie Portman's Sibling Dynamic is the Best Part of 'Fountain of Youth'

Natalie Portman and John Krasinski stand on a street, listening in Fountain of Youth

Throughout Fountain of Youth, the difference between Luke and Charlotte Purdue takes center stage. Luke chose to follow in his late father's footsteps, becoming a treasure hunter who often finds himself in dangerous situations. Charlotte, on the other hand, has a stable job as a museum curator and is embroiled in a nasty divorce, wanting to stay in touch with her son. Naturally, she's none too happy when Luke bursts into her life and costs her her job, yet she winds up helping him...and in the process, the siblings prove to be an extremely effective team. Krasinski and Portman also feel like siblings, down to the bickering that ensues when Luke steals a priceless painting from the museum Charlotte works at.

This dynamic lends itself well to the major revelation surrounding the titular Fountain of Youth. After being shot by his former employer, Luke tries to drink from the fountain but realizes it would cost the lives of Charlotte and her son, Thomas (Benjamin Chivers). Refusing the temptation to deprive your loved ones of life is the true source of the Fountain's power, and learning that is what heals Luke. Again, the parallels to Indiana Jones, specifically Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, are extremely strong.

Domhnall Gleeson, Natalie Portman, John Krasinski and Eiza González in Fountain of Youth

'Fountain of Youth' Has Overcome Negative Reviews to Become a Streaming Sensation

Despite its dominance on the streaming charts, Fountain of Youth is one of the worst-reviewed films in Guy Ritchie's career. It currently sits at a 35% critics score and 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with multiple reviews referring to it as a rehash of better heist/adventure films. One of the harshest belongs to The Guardian, with the UK-based paper not willing to pull any punches: "Trying to make John Krasinski happen may be a misguided endeavor, but the campaign to mold him into a new Harrison Ford is bananas." Anyone reading these reviews would be hard-pressed to see how Fountain of Youth became a constant watch.

The answer lies in the sibling dynamic at the heart of the film, and that Fountain of Youth lays the groundwork for potential sequels in an organic way. Eiza González's Esme is part of a secret society dedicated to protecting all matters of legends from prying eyes, which opens the door for another film. So does Luke and Charlotte's choice to keep working together. Even Guy Ritchie said he would be open to a sequel, emphasizing the family element: "I do think that these types of movies need to be continued to be made for kids, to keep the innocence going, the passion of curiosity. You keep a family legacy. So, I'd jump right in."

Fountain of Youth is streaming on Apple TV.