The cast includes Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo.

Washington plays Robert McCall, an ex-Marine and DIA officer, who reluctantly returns to action to protect a teenage trafficking victim from the members of the Russian mafia.

Unable to sleep, Robert often spends late nights reading at an all-night diner, where he befriends Teri, a teenage sex worker trafficked by the Russian mafia.

Unbeknownst to Robert, Slavi and his men are part of a much larger crime syndicate led by Vladimir Pushkin, a Russian oligarch.

Aided by Boston police detectives on Pushkin's payroll, Teddy canvases rival gangs in the area, nearly beating Irish mob lieutenant "Little John" Looney to death to send a message.

Robert's former DIA colleague, Susan Plummer, identifies Teddy as Nicolai Itchenko, formerly of USSR secret police, with Spetsnaz background.

[8] In June 2007, it was reported that Michael Connelly and Terrill Lee Lankfor were hired to pen the screenplay with Paul McGuigan slated to direct.

[10][11] In December 2011, it was reported that Denzel Washington would star in the title role of the film version, to be financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists.

[13] Director Antoine Fuqua came on board to direct on March 21, 2013, reuniting him with Washington after their successful collaboration on the 2001 Oscar-winning film Training Day.

[16] Coincidentally, Leo actually guest starred in a season one episode of the original Equalizer television series titled "The Defector", in which she portrayed the daughter of a former Soviet agent, who enlists McCall's help to defect to the United States.

[20] The song "Guts Over Fear" by rapper Eminem featuring Sia, with production by Emile Haynie, premiered in trailers for the film.

"Guts Over Fear" became a significant component of the film's marketing campaign, garnering widespread attention and further solidifying The Equalizer's impact on popular culture.

[29] Innovative marketing tactics were employed for the film's promotion, including placing a viral ad in The New York Times Sunday classifieds, generating buzz and intrigue among potential viewers.

[30] Denzel Washington's commanding presence in the lead role was a key factor in drawing audiences, with his portrayal serving as a major selling point in promotional materials.

[31] Social media campaigns and targeted advertising further bolstered anticipation for the film's release, engaging with audiences across various platforms.

[31] The release date shift from April to September allowed for a more strategic positioning, capitalizing on a less competitive market window and ultimately contributing to the film's box office success.

[33] At the Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz captivated audiences with their dynamic performances, generating early excitement and positive reviews.

[34] Following its festival debut, The Equalizer received widespread acclaim, solidifying anticipation for its global theatrical release on September 26, 2014.

[49] The site's critical consensus reads: "The Equalizer is more stylishly violent than meaningful, but with Antoine Fuqua behind the cameras and Denzel Washington dispensing justice, it delivers.

[53] James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film three out of four stars, positively commenting on the pacing, further describing that it is "in no hurry to rush into things".

[54] For The Globe and Mail, Liam Lacey gave a two-and-a-half stars out of four, welcoming the idea of sequels to The Equalizer, "just to watch Denzel finding new ways of getting even.

[56] On February 24, 2014, seven months before the release of the film, it was announced that Sony Pictures and Escape Artists were planning a sequel, with Richard Wenk penning the script.

Written by Richard Wenk, the movie was produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Denzel Washington.