Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer is a Masterpiece Thanks to Its Stopwatch Scene

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Denzel Washington famously avoided making sequels throughout his career. Even though some of his popular films, such as Man on Fire, could have continued as franchises, he always chose not to revisit those roles. He eventually broke this pattern by starring in two Equalizer sequels: The Equalizer 2 (2018) and The Equalizer 3 (2023).

What makes Robert McCall so captivating is his sheer ruthlessness in action. He’s not just clever, but incredibly brutal, and the film doesn’t hold back – we see this immediately in the very first action sequence. Armed with only a stopwatch, McCall effortlessly takes down a room full of gangsters, instantly establishing the film as something special.

Washington’s Robert McCall Is Very Different From The Equalizer TV Show

Before the recent movies, The Equalizer was originally a popular CBS television series that ran for four seasons in the 1980s. The show starred Edward Woodward (known for The Wicker Man) as McCall, a former spy who used his unique abilities to help people who had been unfairly hurt. Woodward’s performance was highly praised, earning him Emmy nominations for best actor in a drama series four consecutive years.

Denzel Washington immediately recognized he could create a different version of the character McCall than the one previously portrayed. The actor decided McCall was a highly skilled veteran and former intelligence operative who secretly struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This OCD affects both his personal life and his work protecting people, driving him to be incredibly prepared and detail-oriented – almost as if he has control over time itself.

The movie begins by showing us McCall’s everyday routine. He’s incredibly organized, even something as simple as eating at a diner involves carefully arranging his utensils, book, and napkin. He doesn’t rush through these actions, but performs them slowly and deliberately, maintaining a calm demeanor. He understands this meticulousness isn’t just a habit, but can actually be useful to him, as demonstrated in a key scene that defines his character.

The Equalizers Buildup to the Stopwatch Scene Bubbles With Tension

We first see Robert McCall’s skills in action during the first act of The Equalizer when he confronts a Russian pimp named Slavi. What Slavi doesn’t know is that McCall has become friends with one of his sex workers, and they both frequent the same late-night diner.

McCall decides to go directly to Slavi at his restaurant and offers him nearly ten thousand dollars in cash to release Alina. Slavi dismisses the offer without much reaction. Instead of leaving, McCall dramatically signals his defiance by opening and closing the door three times before locking it and confronting the group of men who are laughing at him.

He instantly spots a knife and a gun on two of the attackers, and, pleased with the situation, starts a stopwatch, timing himself at 16 seconds. As the men attack, he fights them off with incredible skill, almost predicting their every move. He then sits next to the badly wounded Slavi, telling him he’s about to die from his injuries and that he should have accepted his previous offer instead of risking his life for less than ten thousand dollars.

Ever since that first impactful scene, The Equalizer movies have showcased Denzel Washington’s incredible skill and precision in action sequences. Robert McCall is incredibly efficient – every move he makes is deliberate and purposeful. This is what makes him such a compelling action star and has resonated with audiences, making the franchise a hit. McCall’s meticulous planning and willingness to do whatever it takes make him a formidable force, and the opening action scene perfectly demonstrates just how dangerous he is and how far he’ll go to protect others.

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2026-01-06 02:37