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The Equalizer

Play trailer 2:33 Poster for The Equalizer R Released Sep 26, 2014 2h 12m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 204 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a man of mysterious origin who believes he has put the past behind him, dedicates himself to creating a quiet new life. However, when he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a teenager who has been manhandled by violent Russian mobsters, he simply cannot walk away. With his set of formidable skills, McCall comes out of self-imposed retirement and emerges as an avenging angel, ready to take down anyone who brutalizes the helpless.
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The Equalizer

The Equalizer

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Critics Consensus

The Equalizer is more stylishly violent than meaningful, but with Antoine Fuqua behind the cameras and Denzel Washington dispensing justice, it delivers.

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Critics Reviews

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Shadow and Act Staff Shadow and Act The film is worth seeing to watch Denzel deliver his trademark slow burn gaze. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 14, 2022 Full Review Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association This paint-by-numbers film, though powerful when you watch it, largely thanks to its lead actor, has no lasting emotional affect. Mar 7, 2017 Full Review Katie Kilkenny The Atlantic The movie's all about reading, especially with a critical eye, but when you take too close a look at its disparate parts, they neither add up nor have anything constructive to teach. Jul 19, 2016 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The Equalizer is about as subtle as a pneumatic stapler shot to the temple. But who wants subtlety when one can bask in the glory of Denzel obliterating remorseless degenerates left and right? Rated: 3/4 Nov 25, 2023 Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine Washington shines, playing McCall as a clean and orderly man, whose OCD doesn't prevent him from getting his hands dirty with the blood and grime of Boston's most rotten. He is a killing machine that almost never fails. Full review in Spanish. Rated: 4/5 Oct 17, 2023 Full Review Ruth Maramis FlixChatter Film Blog Denzel’s immense gravitas and quiet power elevate this beyond a run-of-the-mill violent action thriller. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 1, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mate P The Equalizer has a pretty solid script, but it has terrible editing and pacing. The main character is the definition of a person with perfect moral. He is ruthless, but he kills to save people. The themes of caring, kindness, giving people a chance are not complicated, but important. The story is predictable, but engaging. On the other hand, the movie is not. The editing is terrible. The fight scenes are just bad, because I couldn't see anything. The pacing is also horrible. The beginning was good, it had a lot of similarities to John Wick and I though that would be the slow part, but the fight sequence in the end was a lot more boring, I fell asleep several times. The cinematography was sometimes gorgeous, but in a few scenes, it was just pretty bad. Denzel Washington is a terrific actor and he created an interesting character, his performance was great. The Equalizer is pretty boring, I think it could've been a lot better with a shorter runtime and well-edited fight scenes. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Benyamin M Classic Denzel Washington. Does amazing work in this one as always. Good action aswell. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/23/24 Full Review matthias s I’d been wanting to see *The Equalizer* for a while, and it didn’t disappoint. Denzel Washington is incredible, bringing a level of intensity and depth to his role that only he can. The plot is straightforward, but that simplicity works to the film's advantage—it lets the action and characters shine without unnecessary twists. The action sequences are impressively crafted, balancing grit and style, and there’s just enough humor woven in to keep it from feeling too heavy. The supporting cast is strong, and you can’t help but root for Washington's character as he takes on the bad guys with a quiet, commanding force. It’s incredibly badass, and at the end of the day, sometimes you just want an entertaining, well-made thriller that delivers on thrills. I had a great time with it, and that’s all that mattered! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Kevin R It’s like Sherlock Holmes meets John Wick with a hint of the Accountant. Best of all there is compassion and a will to do good. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review Fabrícia F Um filme de ação que consegue surtir originalidade dentre tantos do gênero. Denzel Washington traz uma sensibilidade humana e convincente ao protagonista durão da obra, humanizando o justiceiro de maneira inteligente e muito perspicaz. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Sebastian L The Equalizer starts off decent enough but slowly turns into The Tranquilizer. It does a pretty good job establishing the relationship between Washington and Moretz but then strangely takes off in another direction. The incompetent scriptwriting and directing slowly makes you loose interest until you fastforward through one of the worst third acts known to man. At least it looks pretty good in the meantime. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Equalizer

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Head of the Snake The Equalizer: Official Clip - Head of the Snake 2:07 The Equalizer: Official Clip - A New Start The Equalizer: Official Clip - A New Start 2:47 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Evening Tea The Equalizer: Official Clip - Evening Tea 2:54 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Her Life Will Go On The Equalizer: Official Clip - Her Life Will Go On 1:30 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Pay It Back The Equalizer: Official Clip - Pay It Back 2:58 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Brick by Brick The Equalizer: Official Clip - Brick by Brick 4:48 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Deadly Diner Patron The Equalizer: Official Clip - Deadly Diner Patron 2:29 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Disrespect the Badge The Equalizer: Official Clip - Disrespect the Badge 3:15 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Just Kinda Lost The Equalizer: Official Clip - Just Kinda Lost 3:26 The Equalizer: Official Clip - Walking Terri Home The Equalizer: Official Clip - Walking Terri Home 1:58 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a man of mysterious origin who believes he has put the past behind him, dedicates himself to creating a quiet new life. However, when he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a teenager who has been manhandled by violent Russian mobsters, he simply cannot walk away. With his set of formidable skills, McCall comes out of self-imposed retirement and emerges as an avenging angel, ready to take down anyone who brutalizes the helpless.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Producer
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Denzel Washington, Alex Siskin, Steve Tisch, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, Michael Sloan
Screenwriter
Richard Wenk
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Escape Artists, Mace Neufeld Productions, Zhiv
Rating
R (Some Sexual References|Language Throughout|Strong Bloody Violence)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 26, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$101.5M
Runtime
2h 12m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital
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