The Equalizer
Overview
The Equalizer is a 2014 action thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua, based on the 1980s television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, a former intelligence officer who is now living a quiet life in Boston, working at a hardware store. He is a kind, gentle man who helps a young prostitute, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), who is being abused by her Russian handlers. When she is hospitalized, McCall uses his "particular set of skills" to take down the entire Russian mob. The film is a brutal, stylish, and satisfying revenge thriller. Denzel Washington gives a powerful, stoic performance as a man who is trying to escape his past but who cannot stand by while others are being hurt. The film features a memorable sequence where McCall takes down a room full of mobsters in under 30 seconds. The Equalizer was a critical and commercial success, earning over $192 million on a $55 million budget. It was praised for Washington's performance and its action sequences. The film launched a successful franchise, with two sequels. It is a classic, no-frills action film that delivers exactly what it promises.
