‘Ten out of ten’ movie with performance from A-lister on TV tonight | Films | Entertainment
A gripping mix of quiet tension and explosive justice is back on TV tonight – and fans are calling it a “ten out of ten” film with an “incredible” performance from its A-list lead, Denzel Washington.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, who previously worked with Washington on Training Day, 2014 action-thriller The Equalizer reimagines the classic 1980s’ TV series for a modern audience.
Washington stars as Robert McCall, a soft-spoken man with a mysterious past, living a quiet life in Boston and working at a hardware store. Beneath his calm exterior, however, is a highly skilled former Marine and intelligence operative who once worked for the Defence Intelligence Agency.
When McCall befriends Teri, a young woman played by Chloë Grace Moretz who is trapped in a violent world of Russian organised crime, his dormant instincts are reawakened.
What begins as a small act of kindness quickly spirals into a one-man war against a ruthless criminal network. Using his military precision and unflinching sense of justice, McCall methodically dismantles the mafia operation in a series of brilliantly choreographed and deeply satisfying scenes.
The Equalizer’s intensity comes not from constant gunfire, but from the deliberate pacing and tension Fuqua builds between moments of eerie calm and sudden violence. McCall times his attacks with a stopwatch – a chilling ritual that turns each encounter into a test of control and morality.
As one reviewer put it: “Loved it. Akin to Taken, but with more bang for your buck. Cool Hand Luke with a license to exterminate. John Wick without all the namby-pamby fist-fights. Glued to it the entire way.”
The movie was filmed across Massachusetts, including locations in Boston, Haverhill, and Chelsea. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014, earning praise for its slick direction and Washington’s commanding performance.
Though critics were divided – the film holds a mixed critical score on Rotten Tomatoes – audiences were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One viewer said: “Amazing… ten out of ten,” while another hailed it as “one of my favourite movies of all time”, adding, “from the hero to the victim to the villain, everything was perfect. Anyone that rates this movie under a 4 can’t be trusted.”
Washington’s portrayal of McCall struck a chord with many fans, balancing quiet compassion with controlled ferocity. “One of my favourite action movies,” another reviewer wrote. “Great action, good villain, and I love Denzel’s acting – one of his best roles. His performance anchors the film’s moral core, turning what could have been a straightforward revenge thriller into something more thoughtful – a story about redemption, discipline and the blurred lines between good and evil.”
The film went on to gross over $192million worldwide and spawned two sequels, released in 2018 and 2023, both with Washington reprising his role.
The Equalizer is airing on Channel 4 tonight, at 9 pm.
