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Action thriller

The Equalizer 3 (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Equalizer 3 (2023) movie poster

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, Bruno Bilotta and Sonia Ammar. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $191.1 million worldwide on a $70 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Action / Adventure Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$191.1M
award nomination
1
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The Equalizer 3 (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Genres
Action , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$70M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Equalizer 3 About?

The premise of The Equalizer 3 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Haunted by his past, former government assassin Robert McCall, played by Denzel Washington, seeks a new beginning in Southern Italy. He finds a community struggling under the control of violent crime bosses, and unexpectedly develops a sense of belonging. When the locals face exploitation, McCall is compelled to confront his own troubled history and protect the people who have become like family, unleashing a thrilling and relentless pursuit of justice against the corrupt mafia.

The Equalizer 3 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mafia
  • italy
  • organized crime
  • american abroad
  • one man army
  • sicily italy
  • naples italy
  • cia agent
  • offscreen killing
  • blonde
  • legs
  • woman wears panties
+38 more
  • black panties
  • pig
  • tattooed thug
  • inked criminal
  • corrupt policeman
  • camorra
  • african american
  • action hero
  • anti hero
  • tough guy
  • warrior
  • no opening credits
  • prologue
  • opening action scene
  • one against many
  • reverse footage
  • montage
  • flashback
  • subjective camera
  • garrotte
  • strangulation
  • hostage
  • rescue
  • escape
  • deception
  • ambush
  • blood
  • blood splatter
  • gore
  • near death experience
  • attempted murder
  • fear
  • danger
  • intimidation
  • cruelty
  • sadist
  • sadism
  • crime boss
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Cast & crew

The Equalizer 3 Cast & Characters

Denzel Washington leads the cast as Robert McCall, with Bruno Bilotta as Lorenzo Vitale and Sonia Ammar as Chiara Bonucci. Directed by Antoine Fuqua; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Equalizer 3

· 8 more
From the director

More from Antoine Fuqua

More films directed by Antoine Fuqua, best-rated first: Lightning in a Bottle, Training Day, Southpaw and The Equalizer.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Equalizer 3 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Equalizer 3 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (72) and weakest in story & flow (55).

65 /100

The Equalizer 3 Echo Score Breakdown

The Equalizer 3 delivers the franchise’s signature blend of gritty action and Denzel Washington’s magnetic presence, but its narrative settles into familiar formula and uneven pacing. Critics acknowledge competent direction and strong visuals, while audiences appreciate the atmospheric Italian setting and satisfying set‑pieces. However, predictable plotting and occasional editing roughness temper enthusiasm, resulting in a solid yet unremarkable entry. The film closes the series on a wistful note, offering closure without reinvention.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    Direction and production design emphasize the sun‑drenched Italian locale, with natural lighting and carefully composed frames that contrast beauty and brutality. Critics note the film is well‑filmed and visually polished, while some point to uneven editing that hampers flow. Overall, the craftsmanship supports the action but does not elevate the material beyond competent genre work.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    Washington’s performance anchors the film, delivering the charisma and steely poise that fans expect. Supporting actors, including Dakota Fanning, provide modest chemistry, though character development remains shallow and emotional beats feel contrived. Reviewers acknowledge solid acting but criticize limited depth, resulting in a competent yet unremarked ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The plot follows a familiar vigilante revenge template, with predictable set‑pieces and a formulaic climax. While the redemption arc offers a slight emotional hook, pacing oscillates between languid exposition and abrupt violence, leading to a fractured narrative flow. Critics and viewers alike note the story’s competence but lack of originality.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    The soundtrack underscores the tense sequences without overwhelming them, and sound design delivers crisp gunfire and visceral impacts. Visual style blends Mediterranean scenery with stylized combat, creating an atmospheric backdrop that many reviewers praise. Though the audio‑visual elements are polished, occasional tonal shifts disrupt immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Fans of the series may enjoy the film’s action set‑pieces and Denzel’s charismatic wrap‑up, making it a decent choice for repeat viewings. However, the predictable storyline and uneven pacing limit its long‑term appeal, suggesting the movie satisfies a single‑watch craving more than sustained rewatch value.

Plot

The Equalizer 3 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Equalizer 3 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At a secluded winery in Sicily, Robert McCall (played by Denzel Washington) confronts and slays crime enforcer Lorenzo Vitale (portrayed by Bruno Bilotta) along with his henchmen. His aim? To reclaim funds stolen during a cyber-heist by obtaining a key to the winery’s vault. However, as Robert flees the scene, he is unexpectedly shot in the back by Vitale’s young grandson. Contemplating suicide due to his grave injury, he discovers that his gun is out of bullets, leading him to take a ferry back to the mainland.

Full summary

The whole story of The Equalizer 3, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Equalizer 3 Box Office & Budget

The Equalizer 3 grossed $191.1 million worldwide on a $70 million budget, 2.7 times what it cost. $92.4 million came from the US and Canada and $98.7 million (52%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$191.1M

2.7× its budget

US & Canada
$92.4M
International
$98.7M
Budget
$70M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Awards

The Equalizer 3 Awards & Nominations

The Equalizer 3 earned 1 award nomination, including Best Action / Adventure Film at the Saturn Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Equalizer 3 Trailers & Videos

30 videos: 3 trailers, 15 teasers, 4 clips, 4 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 30 videos
Official Red Band Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser You should have watched this before making travel plans
  • Teaser In Cinemas Sept 13
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Equalizer 3?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the ruthless crime lord that returns to Sicily?

Details

The Equalizer 3 Also Known As

38 alternative titles, including “The Equalizer 3 - The Final Chapter” and “The Final Chapter”.

Also known as
  • The Equalizer 3 - The Final Chapter
  • The Final Chapter
  • The Equalizer 3: Capítulo Final
  • 私刑教育3
  • موازنه‌ساز ۳
  • O Protetor 3: Capítulo Final
  • 伸冤人3
  • O Protetor 3 - Capítulo Final
  • Великий уравнитель 3
  • The Equalizer 3 - Senza tregua
  • El justiciero: Capítulo final
  • Le Justicier 3
+26 more
  • Thiện Ác Đối Đầu 3
  • Pravednik 3: Konačno poglavlje
  • O Protetor: Capítulo Final
  • Adalet 3: Son
  • Equalizer 3: Posledná kapitola
  • Праведник 3: Остання глава
  • Equalizer 3 - The Final Chapter
  • 叛諜裁判 3:終極一戰
  • Equalizer 3: Poslední kapitola
  • المعادل 3
  • נקודת שוויון 3: הפרק האחרון
  • Bez litości 3. Ostatni rozdział
  • มัจจุราชไร้เงา 3
  • Ekvalaizeris 3: Paskutinė kova
  • A védelmező 3.
  • Equalizer 3 Capitolul Final
  • The Equalizer 3: Το Τελευταίο Κεφάλαιο
  • 더 이퀄라이저 3
  • イコライザー THE FINAL
  • L’equalitzador 3
  • Закрилникът 3: Последна част
  • Pravičnik 3: Zadnje poglavje
  • Еквилајзер 3, ექვალაიზერი 3
  • Stabilizators 3: Pēdējā nodaļa
  • Kutsuge McCall 3: viimane peatükk
  • द ईक्वलाइज़र 3

Seen The Equalizer 3?

FAQ

The Equalizer 3 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Equalizer 3, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Equalizer 3?

The Equalizer 3 runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was The Equalizer 3 released?

The Equalizer 3 was released on September 1, 2023.

Who directed The Equalizer 3?

The Equalizer 3 was directed by Antoine Fuqua.

More films by Antoine Fuqua

Who is in the cast of The Equalizer 3?

The Equalizer 3 stars Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, Bruno Bilotta as Lorenzo Vitale and Sonia Ammar as Chiara Bonucci, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Equalizer 3 make at the box office?

The Equalizer 3 grossed $191.1 million worldwide ($92.4 million domestic, $98.7 million international) on a budget of $70 million.

How is The Equalizer 3 rated?

The Equalizer 3 has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was The Equalizer 3 nominated for any awards?

The Equalizer 3 received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Equalizer 3 have a post-credit scene?

No. The Equalizer 3 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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