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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Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 1d

Violent, good effects, good fights, and a good cast. Only thing is that it is very cliché and ends up being predictable. But a decent popcorn movie.

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Catherine D.

@CatherineOrozco 3d

Denzel’s John Wick it was alright

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Daniel S

@DES13 Feb 16

I know it’s not the same situation but to me this is similar to Man on Fire. Denzel shines in the role of taking an interest in the helpless avenge them.

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Carson C

@Weetziebat3 Feb 6

I dozed off towards the end but this is due more to boyfriend warmth than the movie being boring. I haven't seen a lot of Denzel's work but I appreciate what I have seen of him. This is Denzel John Wick. I love the tiny detail of him reading 100 books for his late wife. The choreography in the fight scenes is very well done. The character of Robert is a very respectful man and honestly, I wish there were more men who cared this much about the rights of women. I'm not asking for him to start the stopwatch but just to care.

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Noah S.

@Noah2002 Jan 28

I need an Equalizer in my life.

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Ry N

@RyGuy Jan 22

An ex-DIA officer that avenges people around town befriends a girl in trouble with a Russians gang. It's cool to see how organized McCall is and giving his opponents a choice with a directing style that shows you his point of view.

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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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