Denzel Washington's complete Equalizer film trilogy is now streaming on HBO Max as of July 1. The franchise centers on Robert McCall, a former covert operative who uses his specialized skills to protect the vulnerable.
The original The Equalizer television series debuted in 1985, starring Edward Woodward as a disillusioned ex-spy who became a vigilante for hire in New York City. The show ran for four seasons, averaging 15 million viewers at its peak.
Decades later, Denzel Washington revived the character in a film series that began in 2014. Washington portrays Robert McCall as an ex-assassin attempting to live a quiet life, often working in a hardware store. His past resurfaces when he intervenes in situations where ordinary people are wronged, such as a prostitute being assaulted by her pimp, which inadvertently draws the attention of the Russian mafia.
The first film was followed by two sequels. The Equalizer 2 explored McCall's past more deeply and depicted him more actively as a vigilante. The Equalizer 3 saw McCall on a mission in Italy, confronting the Italian mafia. All three films were directed by Antoine Fuqua, who previously collaborated with Washington on Training Day. The screenplays were written by Richard Wenk.
The movies have been noted for their compelling performances from Washington, who is praised for bringing humanity and believability to the role of a weary ex-killer seeking atonement. The action sequences are described as exciting, offering what is considered lean, satisfying entertainment. The third film, while receiving positive critical reception, features a significant portion in Italian, requiring more subtitle reading from the audience.
The Equalizer franchise has also seen a recent television reboot starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a female iteration of the character, which ran for five seasons. Denzel Washington has expressed interest in two more sequels, though no official announcements have been made by Sony regarding their development or the involvement of Fuqua and Wenk.
With the entire trilogy now accessible on HBO Max, it presents an opportunity for both new and existing fans to revisit or discover the series, which has quietly become a notable action franchise.