Antoine Fuqua’s action-packed thriller, The Equalizer 3, has officially arrived on Netflix. Following its theatrical release in September, the movie has climbed to the top spot on the streaming platform. Keep reading to uncover details about the film’s surprising ending and what might be next for the series.
Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall in the third installment of The Equalizer, portraying a former intelligence operative with a secretive history who fights to protect the vulnerable.
While settling into a quiet life in Southern Italy, he discovers that his newfound community is being controlled by a ruthless criminal syndicate known as the Camorra.
Old friendships reunite as Washington and Fanning share the screen once again (Photo: The Equalizer 3/Columbia Pictures, Eagle Pictures, Escape Artists, and ZHIV Productions)As tensions rise, McCall takes it upon himself to safeguard his friends by taking on the mafia. The film also features performances from Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone.
Washington And Fanning Reunite On Screen
Washington and Fanning share the screen once again in The Equalizer 3, marking their first collaboration since Man on Fire in 2004, when Fanning was just nine years old. “You could tell they had a real connection. They have been friends for years, and she’s also close with Denzel’s children.
There was a genuine warmth between them,” Fuqua mentioned in an interview with CBR in September 2023. He further noted, “They often shared laughs, and sometimes Denzel would glance at me and say he can’t believe she’s all grown up. It was truly a great experience.”
How Does The Equalizer 3 Conclude?
The movie reaches an unexpectedly serene conclusion. While sitting at a café, McCall watches as the residents of Alamonte celebrate a local soccer victory. A rare smile crosses his face as he observes their joy, and he soon joins in, hinting that he has finally found a sense of belonging.
Fuqua disclosed during a Q&A session that this was not how the movie was originally meant to end. Speaking at Collider’s IMAX screening, the director explained that the celebratory scene had initially been placed earlier in the film.
“At some point, I thought to myself, ‘This moment represents a celebration of the people and the place.’ That soccer match originally happened earlier in the movie, but I spoke with my editor, Conrad Buff, and suggested moving it to the end, so McCall would be seen sharing that moment with the community,” he explained.
Before reaching this peaceful resolution, McCall takes decisive action against Vincent Quaranta (Andrea Scarduzio), the ruthless mafia boss. Vincent had been trafficking Fenethylline to terrorist organizations while using Vitale’s vineyard as cover.
Additionally, he ordered his brother Marco to intimidate the townspeople into handing over money, intending to turn the town into a hub for casinos and hotels. McCall eliminates Marco and his associates, leading Vincent to retaliate by threatening to kill the chief of police unless McCall turns himself in.
That night, McCall infiltrates Vincent’s mansion and swiftly disposes of his bodyguards. Confronting Vincent directly, he forces him to ingest the very Fenethylline pills he had been smuggling, leaving him with mere minutes to live.
Instead of finishing him off, McCall lets him go, and Vincent staggers out into the street, only to be violently struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Is there Going To Be The Equalizer 4?
The future of the franchise remains uncertain, as Fuqua had previously described the third installment as the intended conclusion.
McCall takes on the Camorra, proving justice always finds a way (Photo: The Equalizer 3/Columbia Pictures, Eagle Pictures, Escape Artists, and ZHIV Productions)However, he has not completely dismissed the possibility of a fourth film, provided that Washington is willing to return. “From our discussions, this was meant to be the last one. But you can never be too sure,” he shared with Total Film in August.
“Denzel is in top form. He trains consistently, and if you saw him now, you’d be amazed. He’s around 60 pounds lighter than he was in The Equalizer,” Fuqua added. “He’s in excellent health. If he wanted to do another film, I’d be on board. But right now, I don’t see it happening. Then again, you never know.”
While a fourth installment remains uncertain, Fuqua has expressed interest in another approach. “If The Equalizer 4 isn’t in the cards, here’s an idea: a prequel featuring John David Washington as a younger McCall, or even Michael B. Jordan.
I think going back in time to take a look at McCall’s origins would be an exciting direction to take,” he suggested in an interview with JoBlo last summer.
For now, The Equalizer 3 is available for streaming on Netflix.
