McCall’s Redemption in the Shadows of Italy: Unveiling the Thrills of The Equalizer’s Final Chapter 

Nine years since the adventure first started, Denzel Washington has once again taken on the role of Robert McCall to close out one of the most exciting cinematic trilogies in recent memory thanks to the release of The Equalizer 3. Viewers can take advantage of early access to the thrilling final chapter in The Equalizer 3, available to rent or buy now.

Having taken on the role of retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall in the trilogy’s first chapter, two time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington teams up with acclaimed director/producer Antoine Fuqua for their fifth collaboration for The Equalizer 3. The result is not just one of their finest joint works to date, but one of the most highly-regarded action films to be released in recent years.

Across the film series, McCall has gone from being a government assassin to a reluctant saviour, having taken on the Russian mafia and international assassins in the pursuit of both saving the vulnerable, and exacting revenge for his friends. The classic “good bad guy”, it’s an exhilarating and fascinating examination of the triumph of good over evil, despite his – at times – brutal methods.

Though placed into tough situations in each film, McCall’s development has been a fascinating study in growth, as audiences explore his adherence to his own moral code, and the concept of redemption, as he is transformed into a reluctant hero through circumstances out of his control.

As the trilogy now comes to a close, The Equalizer 3 cements its status as the sharpest and most exciting entry into the spy thriller franchise. Taking place in ever-picturesque surrounds of Italy, McCall attempts to find peace with the actions of his past. Though finding solace in seeking justice on behalf of the vulnerable and oppressed, he’s haunted by the horrific deeds he is forced to undertake.

Joined by CIA officer Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning) and his own saviour, Gio Bonucci (Eugenio Mastrandrea), McCall finds himself going head-to-head with the Camorra as he attempts to find justice for the residents of the Italian town. The result is one of the most intense and hard-hitting adventures in McCall’s life, and sees him exploring a new side to his character; discovering a greater sense of humanity and vulnerability against his heroic nature.

From its opening moments, the adrenaline-pumping thrills are on full display at near-breakneck speed. From the suspenseful moments which introduces us to McCall for the final time, to his rapid-fire transition into an unnerved hero, fighting back with full firepower when necessitated. As he utilises everything necessary to become the victor (including one of Italy’s beloved wine bottles), he’s cool and calculated, utilising his controlled and strategic mind to become the most effective, dominating, and – above all – powerful figures on the screen.

It’s the deadly cat-and-mouse game between McCall and the mafia boss, which at times ebbs and flows in favour of either character, but ultimately explodes with ferocity as McCall’s brutality is on full display; giving the mafia boss the illusion of a chance of survival, while his life rests firmly within McCall’s hands.

But it’s through these actions which see McCall immerse himself within the town, becoming accepted as one of their own as they too stand up to defend and protect him. Though he struggles with wondering if he should continue on this path of violence, though righteous in his cause, it’s the impact of his role as saviour that makes it worthwhile; truly redeeming himself as a hero amongst those he is determined to protect.

With Washington and Fanning again joining forces for the first time in almost two decades, the final entry in The Equalizer series arrives as not only a perfect and fitting culmination in the trilogy, but harkens back to some of the classic action films of recent decades, including the anti-hero assassin notion explored in John Wick, or the globe-trotting justice-seeking of James Bond.

He might be unforgiving in his methods, but The Equalizer 3 sees McCall evolving in his humanity in the pursuit of justice – rising above his station to become the hero he doesn’t want to be, but recognises he needs to be.

Viewers can take advantage of early access to the thrilling final chapter in The Equalizer 3, available to rent or buy now. Whether it’s the inimitable star power of a screen icon such as Denzel Washington, or his desire to fight for good in the face of evil, there’s no denying that The Equalizer 3 is one of the year’s finest releases.

Watch an extended preview of the film below.