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Trailer

The Equalizer

2014Movie2 h 12 minR

Thriller
65
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.3Letterboxd3.5/5Metacritic576.9Rotten Tomatoes61%77%

A nerve-racking, brutally violent thriller movie about crime and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you · you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs or warmth.

Movies with

Story

What do you see when you look at me?

McCall believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri, a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

Feels like

  • Vigilante Justice Thriller
  • Stylized Action Choreography
  • Denzel Washington Charisma
  • Urban Crime Drama
  • Precise Editing Rhythm
  • Moral Simplicity
  • High-Octane Revenge
  • Contemporary Noir
  • Satisfying Catharsis

Cast

24 of 40

Crew

Directed by
Antoine Fuqua
Written by
Richard Wenk
Produced by
Denzel Washington, Steve Tisch, Richard Wenk
Music by
Harry Gregson-Williams

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 24, 2014 · 2 h 12 min · R

Released
September 24, 2014
Runtime
2 h 12 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language
Genres
Thriller, Action, Crime
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$55 million
Box office
$192 million
Available in
118 countries

Tropes

Mook Horror Show, Just a Flesh Wound, Shout-Out +9

  • Mook Horror Show
  • Just a Flesh Wound
  • Shout-Out
  • Cool Old Guy
  • Unflinching Walk
  • The Dividual
  • Epigraph
  • Establishing Character Moment
  • Police Are Useless
  • Uncertain Doom
  • Gory Discretion Shot
  • Soft-Spoken Sadist

12 of 131 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Equalizer?"

Questions about The Equalizer

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Equalizer?

NetflixfuboTVYouTube TV

In the United States, The Equalizer streams on Netflix, fuboTV, and YouTube TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It also streams in 83 other countries.

Is The Equalizer worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65 (IMDb 7.3, Letterboxd 3.5 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 61%, and Metacritic 57). Audiences rate it higher (72 out of 100) than critics (59).

Was The Equalizer a box office hit?

Budget$55 million
Box office$192 million

Yes: it cost about $55 million to make and earned $192 million worldwide, 3.5 times its budget.

What tropes does The Equalizer use?

Mook Horror ShowJust a Flesh WoundShout-OutCool Old GuyUnflinching WalkThe DividualEpigraphEstablishing Character MomentPolice Are UselessUncertain DoomGory Discretion ShotSoft-Spoken Sadistand 119 more

TV Tropes lists 131 tropes for it, including Mook Horror Show, Just a Flesh Wound, and Shout-Out.