The Equalizer

61%

Tomatometer

206 Reviews

77%

Audience Score

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. Read More Read Less

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The Equalizer

What to Know

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

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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

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Audience Reviews

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Bumble B Absolutely phenomenal! From filmography/cinematography to the chosen music *especially* the final gun scene with the suspense there is with not knowing when Robert (Denzel) will pop out to axe the bad guy. It's amazingly written and I like when he times himself or when you get a close up on how he deducts his next move. 10/10 I love watching it. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review Scott H Anything with Denzel is usually better than good but the script here must have a caught him on a generous day. It’s sloppy and lazy - for example we are told the bad guy (Russian mafia - yawn) is ex Spetsnaz and we see he is covered in grisly tattoos including a skull with a beret (well done research team- basic google search) but he is missing the Grim Reaper with an AK47 tattoo. Sort of sums up the whole. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Audience Member Audiences like to see evil people meet justice. But this is a comic book level fantasy, and thus, not so satisfying. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Audience Member The plot is not convincing, it jumps from a thing to another leaving you wonder "Hey, how did that happen?" as if they changed the script midway. The acting is meh. An example of trying too hard. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Jack G If you like Denzel Washington you have to see all three of these We loved them all Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Audience Member Good movie. Denzel is always great. This is nothing special, but it is enjoyable. I will say...it is too gory and violent. I would have liked if it was closer to a Taken in its level of violence shown. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Equalizer

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Cast & Crew

Antoine Fuqua Director Denzel Washington Robert McCall Marton Csokas Teddy Chloë Grace Moretz Teri David Harbour Masters Bill Pullman Brian Plummer

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The Equalizer

The Equalizer: Official Clip - Head of the Snake