Adapted from the 1980s TV show of the same name, The Equalizer from 2014 and its sequel from 2018 provided star Denzel Washington with a unique opportunity to show his action movie skills off in a role that still utilized his incredible talents for drama.
Both movies were palpable hits with audiences when they came out and have developed quite the fanbase. So, if you’re a fan who’s been left wondering if there’s much out there in the action-thriller genre that matches up to the pedigree and tone of The Equalizer movies, you should be sure to check out these similar movies starring great actors in fast-paced situations that call for violent resolutions.
Taken
Liam Neeson’s turn as Bryan ‘Particular Set of Skills’ Mills marked a momentous change in the casting of action movies which would result in a new gold rush of violent thrillers starring older dramatic actors.
The story follows Neeson’s overly protective former black ops handyman as he embarks on a mission to Paris to track down his daughter’s kidnappers and exact brutal revenge.
The November Man
Adapted from the novel ‘There Are No Spies’ by Bill Granger, The November Man sees former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan return to familiar territory in this scenic thriller full of grizzled stoicism and ruthless decision-making.
Similarly to Taken, Brosnan takes the lead as a retired CIA operative who’s pulled out of a rut when he’s thrown into a shady plot involving an ex-lover and a corrupt Russian agent.
Erased
Aaron Eckhart is the former CIA agent this time around as a man living in Belgium with his daughter when his life is upended and they’re both thrown into an uncertain world of espionage.
Double-crossed and pursued by all of the authorities, the two have to use their wits to overcome a seemingly-insurmountable situation and undo a wider conspiracy.
The Mechanic
Jason Statham takes the titular role over from Charles Bronson in this remake of the original 1972 Michael Winner movie.
Statham teaches the trade of his deadly assassination art to a novice played by Ben Foster and the creativeness of the kills is always at the forefront of this movie’s mind, as well as its sequel following five years later.
Dead Man Down
Colin Farrell plays a man out for bloody revenge against Terrence Howard’s gangster kingpin in this emotional action thriller. He infiltrates his target’s organization to exact a meticulously planned vengeance but his plans go awry when his reclusive neighbor, played by Noomi Rapace, discovers his scheme and blackmails him into helping her with her own retribution against the man who disfigured her.
Dead Man Down is full of twists and turns, as well as some more dramatic moments surrounding the movie’s themes that feel worthy of its great cast, but its all building to an explosive finale.
Shooter
Mark Wahlberg plays the Marine sniper framed for an assassination attempt in this explosive thriller from the director of both Equalizer movies–as well as many other notable action movies and thrillers–Antione Fuqua.
Based on the novel ‘Point of Impact’ by Stephen Hunter, the movie’s murky world of dark dealings and conspiracies was adapted into a TV series of the same name almost a decade later which ran for three seasons.
Colombiana
After the success of their screenplay for Taken, writers Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen delivered this female-driven action movie starring Zoe Saldana as an expert assassin seeking revenge for the murder of her family.
Fans of The Equalizer will appreciate Colombiana‘s calculating protagonist and her ruthless efficiency when she goes in for the kill.
The Taking of Pelham 123
This remake of the classic 1970s thriller sees Denzel Washington’s MTA worker become an integral negotiator when John Travolta’s unhinged criminal mastermind takes a subway car hostage.
One of a number of entertaining thrillers from Washington and director Tony Scott, The Taking of Pelham 123 doesn’t sell the star as an action hero so much but has plenty of ingenuity to its drama and suspense. But if you are looking for one of their more action-heavy collaborations then be sure to check out the next entry…
Man on Fire
One of the most beloved revenge movies ever made, Denzel Washington’s bodyguard forms an attachment to the young girl under his care in Mexico and unleashes a biblical level of wrath on a cartel that snatches her.
Satisfyingly stylistic and genuinely emotional, Man on Fire pre-dates even Taken and provided the foundation for older dramatic actors taking violent action-thriller roles in the future.
Safe House
Denzel Washington stars as a shadowy rogue government operative in this taut thriller set in Cape Town, South Africa.
The story follows Ryan Reynold’s green CIA safe house babysitter as he’s thrust into a deadly conspiracy when Washington’s antihero is brought to his doorstep and tortured for information. Knowing that something serious is up, but not knowing who to trust, the two form a shaky alliance to try and stay one double-cross ahead of the really bad guys.
