The Equalizer

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2:33

The Equalizer

R

2014

2h 12m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

207 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

Sep 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

Mar 7, 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

Jul 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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Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

Oct 14, 2026

C+

It's that much more of a shame when Fuqua feels the need to throw a bucket of blood and a circus of explosions right in their faces.

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Jonathon Wilson

Ready Steady Cut

May 29, 2026

3.5/5

I don’t know if you could call The Equalizer a great movie. But you can certainly call it a great version of this particular kind of movie; wrongs are righted, evil is vanquished, and the ordinary man in a button-down shirt triumphs over all.

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

Jun 17, 2025

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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Dominique E

@encisonico 1 day ago

I really enjoyed this fun action flick. Great pacing. Compelling and mysterious and unsolved back story. John wick - esque type of story. Yeah it can be better, but it’s fun.

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Robert P

@Superbad Nov 1, 2026

The Equalizer is a *3.5* Star Movie! So why is somebody giving it a *5* star Review?

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Lola B

@Lbelle77 Oct 31, 2026

Great action packed film with great plot! Very much a Denzel fan…did not disappoint!

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Carol S

@Carol92592 Oct 18, 2026

Awesome and action packed with great character development.

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Benjamin G

@BxDxGx Oct 12, 2026

Of all the "take justice in your own hands" type of films, this series tends to stand out amongst the others such as Liam Neeson, Jason Statham, or Reacher movies that fall within this type of genre. Not only is the film directed and polished well with some profound lines inside a decent script, there’s a greater sense of humility that it seems only Denzel could execute so well. Denzel has always stood out as a gifted actor but his delivery is genuinely exemplary on "giving to others without expecting anything back" and "with great power comes great responsibility" type of morality that is less flashy than other iterations. By the end of the film, viewers ought to ask "how can I become a better person and give back" which overall is a positive message that ought to be perpetuated in film.

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Moody C

@MoodyC Sep 21, 2026

This is the best of series (so far) however all the movies suffer from a weak climatic ending & only this one has a somewhat better climatic fight at, of all places, a home depot like store. It's no Home Alone with clever traps but it is still more entertaining than final battles of 2 & 3 sequels. Character is somewhat like John Wick character who is virtually an unbeatable, killing machine but these movies are better because they always rescue some lost characters & try to help them find their ways in life so not just mindless shooting like John Wick movies. Maccall is always a model citizen ala Superman but unlike Supes, is not afraid to kill in brutal ways for those who deserve it which is more realistic & satisfying than those Superman or Batman movies.

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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

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - A New Start

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Evening Tea

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Her Life Will Go On

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Pay It Back

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Brick by Brick

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Deadly Diner Patron

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Disrespect the Badge

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Just Kinda Lost

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The Equalizer: Official Clip - Walking Terri Home

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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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