The Equalizer

Play trailer

2:33

The Equalizer

R

2014

2h 12m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

205 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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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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Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

09/14/2022

3.5/5

The film is worth seeing to watch Denzel deliver his trademark slow burn gaze.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

03/07/2017

This paint-by-numbers film, though powerful when you watch it, largely thanks to its lead actor, has no lasting emotional affect.

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Katie Kilkenny

The Atlantic

07/19/2016

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.

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

Jun 17

3/5

This movie is surprisingly fun and I think Denzel Washington elevates it way more than we realize. He also reminds us that we're never too old to throw hands.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

11/25/2023

3/4

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?

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Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Me gusta el cine

10/17/2023

4/5

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.

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Gary K

@GBK123 4d

Denzel has done it again! Quiet guy but get him mad your done for eliminating all the bad guys using the tools at Home depot.Very violent grisly movie but the action is over the top. The villains are all well known stuntmen,bodybuilders, martial artists. Denzel movies are like Sylvester Stallone movies but Denzel has done movies that doesn't have killers like my favorite unstoppable. I like that he protects the innocent, the underdogs like some sort of guardian angel killer of the bad.I heard there could be 5 movies. Why not! Anything mr Washington is in will always be a hit. I loved this movie and looking forward on continuing to watch the sequels. You can't picture a guy who sits in a all nite diner reading classics books drinking tea to be anyone's worst nightmare. Violence in killing bad guys is different than killing innocent folks so because of that this movie is hot nd Denzel makes it even hotter

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Frans B

@FransB Dec 2

Brilliant! All the elements of a truly great and classic movie. Very well directed and brought to screen. Well written. Great cinematography and visually stunning with appropriate ambiance. Whole cast excels in character with Denzel Washington shining in the lead. Lots of action, intrigue, emotion, drama and suspense. Memorable

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Abbie O

Nov 23

Denzel Washington. Only words needed in my opinion 🔥

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Josie C

Nov 20

There’s no one like Denzel. Amazing movie 👌🏼👌🏼

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keven q

@kevenquinlan Oct 21

This is the first of 3. The sequels actually got better- that being said, this one was more than competent and I enjoyed it. I assume they edited the action scenes b/c of Denzel's age and that's fine, I sure do like him. I have just about everything he's ever done and would probably keep this even if I didn't enjoy it, though I did. The other 2 are even better. "Why Not You?" Denzel's just so good- makes me envious!

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Real O

Oct 20

One of my favorite movies of all times. From the hero to the victim to the villain, everything was perfect. Anyone that rates this movie under a 4 can't be trusted.

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Denzel Washington

Robert McCall

Marton Csokas

Teddy

Chloë Grace Moretz

Teri

David Harbour

Masters

Bill Pullman

Brian Plummer

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Head of the Snake

2:07

The Equalizer: Official Clip - A New Start

2:47

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Evening Tea

2:54

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Her Life Will Go On

1:30

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Pay It Back

2:58

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Brick by Brick

4:48

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Deadly Diner Patron

2:29

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Disrespect the Badge

3:15

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Just Kinda Lost

3:26

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Walking Terri Home

1:58

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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, Zhiv, Mace Neufeld Productions
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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