The movie begins with Robert McCall leading a quiet and routine life working at a Home Mart, a hardware store. He befriends a young prostitute named Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is brutally beaten by her Russian gangster pimp, Slavi (David Meunier). McCall’s sense of justice is triggered, and he decides to take matters into his own hands.
McCall confronts Slavi and his henchmen, offering to buy Teri’s freedom. When Slavi refuses, McCall unleashes his lethal combat skills, dispatching the criminals with ease. This incident catches the attention of the Russian Mafia in Moscow, who send an enigmatic assassin named Teddy (Marton Csokas) to deal with McCall.
As Teddy investigates, he discovers McCall’s true identity and realizes the extent of his skills. McCall, using his contacts from his former life, systematically takes down the Russian criminals involved in human trafficking.
The conflict between McCall and the Russian Mafia intensifies, leading to a dramatic showdown. McCall outsmarts and defeats Teddy, ensuring the safety of those he sought to protect. In the end, McCall returns to his seemingly ordinary life, leaving his past behind.
The film closes with McCall continuing to offer help to those in need, serving as a modern-day vigilante. “The Equalizer” received positive reviews for its intense action sequences, Denzel Washington’s performance, and its stylish direction. The success of the film led to a sequel, “The Equalizer 2,” released in 2018.