The Equalizer 2
Directed by Antoine FuquaDirector Antoine Fuqua reunites with Denzel Washington in this sequel to 2014's The Equalizer. Washington resumes his role as Robert McCall: a retired CIA Black Ops operative who now works as a Lyft driver and moonlights as a vigilante. When his long-time friend is murdered he embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance.
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The Equalizer 2 Ratings & Reviews
- Karen NakamuraJuly 20, 2025Best of the three Equalizers by far. There's actual character development, backstories, intrigue, and everything. There's senseless violence but not meaningless for the plot. And suspense, you actually wonder who the baddies are (at least for ten minutes) and what will happen for them (for less than five). Denzel at his best. Lots of good one-liners as well.
- maub17December 28, 2025Excellent movie!
- Bor GreinerNovember 2, 2025Denzel at his best. Ages better than Bond.
- ShaydeknightDecember 20, 2025The Equalizer 2 improves meaningfully on its predecessor by doing something sequels often fail to do: it clarifies purpose. Where the first film felt like a cautious introduction to Robert McCall as an idea, this second installment presents McCall as a fully realized identity. He is no longer testing the boundaries of vigilantism, he has embraced it. He is The Equalizer, and he is comfortable with who he is, what he does, and why he does it. McCall's commitment is reflected in the film's structure. The story leans unapologetically into episodic acts of justice. Smaller, often brutal interventions establish him as both protector and executioner for those without recourse. These scenes are not merely spectacle, they function as character reinforcement. McCall helps because that is his nature, not because he is searching for redemption or moral justification. He has found his purpose. The same evolution, to a lesser degree, can be observed in Antoine Fuqua's direction. The first Equalizer suffered from a visual flatness that made its more operatic violence feel oddly restrained. Here, Fuqua makes a noticeable effort to be more expressive with the camera. The film features more dynamic compositions, a willingness to linger on faces, and occasional stylistic flourishes that suggest a director more engaged with mood and rhythm. That said, Fuqua still indulges in an excess of establishing shots and cityscapes. While these moments can be defended as attempts to portray urban life in its many forms, perhaps even to suggest a city perpetually in need of McCall, they often feel overextended and narratively redundant. Fuqua may not yet be a particularly strong stylist but this is undeniably a step up from the first film. Denzel Washington, however, is the true engine of this sequel's success. His performance here is richer and more layered than before, aided by stronger writing and more meaningful character interactions. Nowhere is this more evident than in his scenes with Ashton Sanders, who delivers an excellent performance as a young man on a familiar, self-destructive path. While the "at-risk youth" archetype is well-worn, Sanders brings authenticity and vulnerability to the role, and Washington plays against him with restraint and quiet authority. Their relationship flirts with sentimentality and at times crosses into it, but this is not a flaw so much as a tonal choice. This kind of syrupy earnestness has a place in stories about mentorship and moral course correction, it's not an unwelcome choice. It is also worth underscoring an often-overlooked fact: Washington filmed this movie in his mid-sixties. What stands out is not merely how he looks, but how he moves and projects authority on screen. His physicality is economical, controlled, and confident, with no wasted motion. That kind of presence ages far better than raw athleticism. As with great stage actors, posture, timing, voice, and intent do most of the work. Washington has always leaned into discipline rather than youth-driven flash, which is precisely why Robert McCall remains credible. He does not attempt to appear younger than he is. Instead, he embodies an older man who is dangerous because of experience, patience, and absolute certainty. The violence lands harder because it feels inevitable rather than frantic. Pedro Pascal, not yet sporting his near-iconic moustache, also does strong work here. He brings restraint and credibility to the role, grounding the film’s moral tensions without tipping its hand too early. Supporting performances further elevate the film. Bill Pullman, in particular, delivers solid work in a role that benefits from his understated gravitas, another reminder of how underrated an actor he remains. The intersecting storylines are handled cleanly, keeping the film's pace steady and its emotional beats clear. On the technical side, production values are strong across the board. The sets are well-chosen and textured, grounding the film in lived-in environments rather than generic action backdrops. The score complements the tension without overwhelming it, present when needed, invisible when not. Editing is tight, especially during the action sequences, allowing the choreography and Washington's physical storytelling to carry the weight. Ultimately, The Equalizer 2 succeeds because it understands its protagonist and its audience. It does not aspire to be more profound than it is, nor does it apologize for its vigilantism. It is confident, purposeful, and occasionally indulgent, but always clear about what it wants to deliver. As part of the The Equalizer mythos, this film is decidedly an upgrade.
- sgkf2August 21, 2025Thrilling build up with heart warming moments. Beautiful approach to hard thematics such as grief and betrayal. Definitely a must-watch!
- mickerdooAugust 13, 2025Couldn't get into this one. Thought the first one was a little better.
- Scott SmithAugust 8, 2025Not as good as the first movie. This one has some good fight scenes, but just doesn't deliver on a better story. It's still an OK watch, because Denzel is a good actor and there are a couple good fight scenes...but just too much dull filler in-between. If you liked the first movie, you'll probably like this one too. I just liked the first one a little better.
- Kevin WardJuly 2, 2025I think I liked this slightly better than the first. Probably because Pedro Pascal makes everything a little better.
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The Equalizer 2 Trivia
The Equalizer 2 was released on July 19, 2018.
The Equalizer 2 was directed by Antoine Fuqua.
The Equalizer 2 has a runtime of 2h 1m.
The Equalizer 2 was produced by Tony Eldridge, Steve Tisch, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Denzel Washington, Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Antoine Fuqua, Michael Sloan.
The key characters in The Equalizer 2 are Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), Dave York (Pedro Pascal), Miles Whittaker (Ashton Sanders).
The Equalizer 2 is rated R.
The Equalizer 2 is a Thriller, Action, Crime film.
The Equalizer 2 has an audience rating of 6.2 out of 10.