Prime Video’s 3-Part Thriller Saga Is So Good, You’ll Finish It In One Sitting

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Prime Video’s new three-part movie series is incredibly binge-worthy. It’s reminiscent of the Taken movies starring Liam Neeson, which arguably started a trend of seeing established actors take on action roles. While Neeson had done action films before (Darkman, Next of Kin, among others), there was something particularly captivating about seeing him bring his charm to the kind of movie typically led by actors like Jean-Claude Van Damme.

While “Geriaction” films – movies starring older action heroes – are popular, few have become long-running franchises. The John Wick series is the biggest success story, partly because Keanu Reeves was already 50 when the first film came out. Bob Odenkirk has found success with the Nobody films, and Jason Statham recently starred in The Beekeeper, both showcasing action heroes later in their careers.

When you need a fantastic actor for an action movie, Denzel Washington is a top choice. He’s been a consistent force in the genre since 2004’s Man on Fire, appearing in films like the post-apocalyptic The Book of Eli, the buddy-cop action-comedy 2 Guns with Mark Wahlberg, and the thrilling Unstoppable, where he managed to halt a runaway train.

The Equalizer films are likely Denzel Washington’s most defining work in the action genre. He perfectly embodies the character of McCall, and the movies offer a great combination of intense action and clever storytelling.

Denzel Washington Leads His Own Action Franchise In The Equalizer

As a huge Denzel Washington fan, I always thought it was interesting that he rarely revisited characters. For almost 50 years, he’s avoided sequels, which is pretty rare in Hollywood! But I was thrilled when he decided to play Robert McCall again in The Equalizer films. He clearly had a blast with the first one, and I’m glad he made an exception to his usual rule.

As a huge fan of the Equalizer movies, I’m happy to say the first two are already on Prime Video! If you’re itching to see the latest, The Equalizer 3, you can rent or buy it for just $3.99. Or, if you have Disney+ or Hulu, you can stream it right now with your subscription!

Watching all three Equalizer movies one after another will take around six hours. Each film has a different feel. The first movie is similar to a superhero origin story – we see McCall, a man feeling lost and alone, rediscover his purpose by using his special skills to help others.

The second Equalizer movie feels closer to the original 1980s TV series, focusing on Robert McCall assisting people in need while also dealing with his own history, including a complicated relationship with an old friend, Dave York (Pedro Pascal). The story culminates with a recovering McCall finding refuge in a quiet Italian village, where he’s inevitably drawn into protecting the locals from dangerous criminals, putting his unique skills to use once again.

The Equalizer Movies Are Peak Action Thriller Fun

The Equalizer films are frequently compared to popular action series like Reacher, Yellowstone, and Taken, which often showcase highly skilled characters using both strength and intelligence to fight against villains. However, Denzel Washington’s performance is what truly sets the Equalizer trilogy apart.

Watching Denzel Washington’s character, McCall, carefully consider a situation or give a powerful speech is just as captivating as seeing him in action. What sets McCall apart from other action heroes like John Wick is that he only uses violence when absolutely necessary. He usually attempts to talk things out or reason with his opponents first.

The fight scenes in The Equalizer are particularly impactful because they aren’t overused. Their scarcity makes each one feel more intense. Director Antoine Fuqua also takes the time to develop the character of McCall, showing us he’s a complex person, not just an action machine.

Throughout the Equalizer series, McCall consistently steps in to help others, whether it’s protecting a vulnerable young woman like Chloe Grace Moretz’s character in the first film or seeking justice for a fallen friend, as seen in the second. The trilogy successfully balances thrilling action with heartfelt emotion, offering exciting set pieces for action fans alongside well-developed characters and engaging storylines.

These movies are more than just silly action films – and there’s nothing wrong with those kinds of movies either! Denzel Washington is really the star of the show. He consistently delivers a great performance and drives each film. Although the third movie was intended as the last one, Washington has hinted at possibilities for both a fourth and fifth installment, meaning we might see him in this role for a while longer.

Once You’ve Finished The Equalizer Movies, Check Out The Spinoff TV Show

A new version of The Equalizer premiered on CBS in 2021, starring Queen Latifah. This series isn’t connected to the movies with Denzel Washington and features less intense violence and strong language. However, fans of the films will likely still find the CBS show enjoyable.

The show clearly resonated with audiences, running for five seasons – a rare feat for television adaptations of movies, which often struggle to even last a single season. A big part of its success is Queen Latifah’s captivating performance as Robyn McCall, supported by a talented cast including Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira, and Tory Kittles. Just like the original films, the series blends thrilling action with clever storytelling.

The showrunner was able to end The Equalizer with a true finale, rather than leaving viewers on a cliffhanger hoping the show would be renewed for another season. Although the show and movies take place in separate worlds, the creators hinted at a potential crossover during the earlier seasons.

Honestly, timing-wise, a spin-off show could have totally worked – it was between the second and third movies, so the window was there. But as a fan, the idea of Denzel Washington popping up in a standard CBS procedural just felt…off. Even with a great script, the movies and that kind of show are just so different in feel, I don’t think they would have blended well. It would have been a tough fit, tonally.

It’s probably best that the two versions of The Equalizer weren’t connected. Both versions are good enough to watch all the way through.

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2026-05-13 19:49