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

206 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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Jonathon Wilson

Ready Steady Cut

May 29

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

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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Gib_Master 2

@RT47702348 14h

Movies shouldn’t be about the truth behind it, no, it should be about entertainment and reality; and this one delivers.

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Draco T

@RT64640507 6d

The initial intrigue of a former deadly top secret military type living a quiet, unassuming life becomes boring as the movie becomes a repeating cycle of encourage the bad guys to do the right thing, then maim or kill them as they continue to be bad guys

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Vaughn M.

@Chpow1010 May 31

Was silly at times but still a fun watch.

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Jake K.

@RT34897556 May 26

The Equalizer perhaps wasn’t intended to give realistic fighting sequences, however Denzel, regardless of the fact, delivered the action in an engaging way. Much of the plot felt missing from the antagonist standpoint for being a one-and-done story of righteousness where plenty more room was available. While not the most thought-provoking movie, Denzel remains an excellent actor and takes the stage as such in this one.

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Jeff D.

@RT13316438 Mar 30

The movie definitely keeps your attention

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Daniel W.

@RT64819838 Mar 14

Denzel could be in a movie about a microwave and keep me entertained! The movie is a multi watch platform for action films!

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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