It’s hard to find an actor who can captivate an audience without uttering a single word quite like Denzel Washington. His mere presence and facial expressions evoke a sense of tension or relief that keeps viewers engaged, and this is certainly the case in Equalizer 3.
Most trilogies tend to lose their way by the time the third installment comes around, with the elements that made the first movie enjoyable missing. However, the Equalizer franchise has managed to maintain a clear direction in depicting the character of Robert McCall.
Throughout the series, McCall seeks peace. However, in contrast to the first two movies where he was quick to take out his frustrations on his enemies, in the third film, it is evident that years of wear and tear have taken a toll on him.
While offering assistance to a person he met during a Lyft ride, McCall is injured. The incident causes him to question whether he still wants to live. Fortunately, he finds refuge in a lively community in Italy. Despite their curiosity, the community members don’t pry too much, only asking McCall whether he is a good person or not, a question he struggles to answer.
As McCall becomes more comfortable with the idea of retiring in the community, trouble arises. A gang begins to terrorize the people, and McCall discovers that they are part of a much larger criminal scheme. As he deliberates whether to intervene, he realizes the severity of the situation.
The brilliance of director Antoine Fuqoa and Denzel Washington shines through in this movie. McCall is recovering, so instead of relying on brute force, he uses stealth tactics. Fuqoa’s directing makes the scenes feel like a horror movie, with jump scares and brutal killings that leave you unsure of McCall’s location similar to Michael Myers. Despite its simplicity, the movie is compelling and thrilling, with a straightforward plot and minimal dialogue.
8 out 10 BSO stars.