--- title: "The Equalizer 3: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-equalizer-3/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-equalizer-3" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Equalizer 3 (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 12 reviews: 6 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. The consensus on The Equalizer 3 is mild approval with a shrug. Most critics agree on one thing: Denzel Washington is the reason to watch, and nearly every review, favourable or not, credits his charisma and his evident enjoyment of the role. Praise otherwise clusters on the Italian coastal setting, on Fuqua’s staging of the action, and on the reunion with Dakota Fanning. The reservations cluster just as clearly: a thin, formulaic script, forgettable villains, a middle stretch that drags, and violence that several reviews find sadistic rather than exciting. The spread is wide. The Times gives it four stars and finds unexpected gravitas in the material; The Telegraph calls it pointlessly sadistic with an underwhelming climax, RogerEbert.com dismisses it outright for a weak script and unimaginative action, and The Hollywood Reporter finds it numbingly repetitive. Between those poles, most reviews land in the same place: it delivers what fans expect and little more. ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2023. The change to Italy adds a giallo-like horror flavor to the violence, elevating the boilerplate plot. Washington’s subtle charisma and the cinematography stand out in the details. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington/) ## The AV Club — Timothy Cogshell Rating B-. 29 August 2023. The familiar formula of protecting the weak through brutal vengeance works effectively in the new Italian setting. Washington remains charismatic and the action delivers satisfying catharsis. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/review-of-denzel-washington-in-the-equalizer-3-1850782841) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2023. The installment feels tired and haphazard with little suspense, but Washington’s quirky, oddball performance and the graphic violence still deliver the goods. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/equalizer-3-review-denzel-brings-weird-uncle-energy.html) ## The Telegraph — Tim Robey Rating 2/5. 31 August 2023. Washington's scowling vigilante slaughters mafiosi in a bloody threequel set in Italy, but the pointlessly sadistic violence and thin characters make it hard to care about the underwhelming climax. It is an offer one can and probably should refuse. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2023/08/31/the-equaliser-3-review-denzel-washington/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 29 August 2023. The critic finds the film a numbingly violent, repetitive vengeance tale with little suspense or innovation. Washington’s charisma stands out amid the exploitative grindhouse fare. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington-antoine-fuqua-1235576696/) ## Empire — Amon Warmann 30 August 2023. A solid conclusion to an unlikely trilogy and fitting end to Robert McCall’s character arc, with Washington still entertaining as a deliverer of slick justice. The film struggles at times to be as compelling as its protagonist and the adversaries are unmemorable. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-equalizer-3/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh 1 September 2023. The critic praises the film's operatic style, pulp poetics, and visceral thrills in an Italian setting, noting Fuqua's visual flair with religious iconography and desaturated colors. Washington's charismatic, fun performance and the reunion with Dakota Fanning are highlighted as the main appeals, delivering enjoyable mayhem despite a floppy plot. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-09-01/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington-antoine-fuqua-dakota-fanning) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall In the third outing, the vigilante McCall confronts Sicilian gangsters after finding temporary peace in an Italian coastal town, forcing a return to lethal action. Fuqua delivers tense stand-offs and bursts of mayhem, with Washington showing charisma and strong chemistry with Dakota Fanning. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-k04o3o/the-equalizer-3/) ## RogerEbert.com — Robert Daniels 1 September 2023. The critic calls the film hot garbage, criticizing its weak script, lack of emotional core or narrative continuity, unimaginative action, and reliance on gore over memorable choreography. Washington's evident enjoyment in the role is noted as the only saving grace in this failed attempt at a darker Western-style vigilante story. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-equalizer-3-movie-review-2023) ## The Guardian — Wendy Ide 2 September 2023. The film delivers more of the same extravagantly bloody vengeance from Denzel Washington's vigilante in a Sicilian town, with rigidly black-and-white morals and graphic violence. It offers visceral kicks through the efficient retribution and Washington's devilish glint, though without surprises. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/02/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington-dakota-fanning-one-in-the-eye-for-the-mob) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 31 August 2023. The critic finds the film reliably watchable but ethically challenged and predictable, assuming viewers are there mainly for the entertaining ultraviolence. Washington is singled out as the primary reason to watch, delivering his signature smolder and swagger in an Italian setting that feels like a nostalgic farewell to the character. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/movies/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington.html) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★☆. 31 August 2023. The threequel treats its preposterous material with seriousness, finding unexpected gravitas in Washington's reluctant vigilante while Fuqua orchestrates the action with aplomb. It concludes the franchise satisfyingly with a door left open, despite an operatic finale. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-s-washington-s-italian-job-leads-to-a-brutal-final-showdown-g3hc8kdrc) ## Total Film — Emily Garbutt Rating ***. 29 August 2023. Denzel Washington is compelling in Robert McCall's swan song, but the story often falls flat in an uneven send-off. The action is brutal but the film lurches awkwardly between graphic violence and stagnant scenes. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-equalizer-3-review/) ## Variety — Murtada Elfadl 29 August 2023. The critic highlights the seamless action and Washington's star charisma as the compelling force, making it easy to root for the vigilante even amid brutal violence. The familiar reteaming with Fuqua delivers exactly what's expected: entertaining, propulsive set pieces and a charming small-town community element without cloying earnestness. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washington-1235706766/) ## Collider — Nate Richard Rating B. 31 August 2023. The film works thanks to Denzel Washington's committed performance as Robert McCall and delivers satisfying, gory action sequences in a new Italian setting. The thin story and familiar formula won't win over viewers who aren't already fans of the series. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-equalizer-3-review/) ## Consequence Rating B. 29 August 2023. The Equalizer 3 is accessible even to newcomers and provides plenty of fun, brutal action as Denzel Washington dispatches mafia threats in a small Italian town. It embraces Western-style tropes with strong visuals but lacks the choreography of other action franchises. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2023/08/the-equalizer-3-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 29 August 2023. The third film improves on its predecessors with a lighter, looser tone, beautiful Italian setting, gorier action, and strong chemistry between Washington and Fanning. It still suffers from weak villains and heavy-handed conservative themes. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-equalizer-3-movie-review-denzel-washington/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2023. The critic views the film as a knowingly unpretentious and brutal action vehicle that delivers exactly what its target audience wants, with Denzel Washington's charm carrying the formulaic revenge plot set in Italy. It singles out the opening action sequence and the star's effortless appeal for praise while noting it feels like slumming for the actor. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-equalizer-3-perfect-movie-to-release-during-a-strike/) ## Deadline — Valerie Complex Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 29 August 2023. The film drags in the middle with repetitive contemplative scenes and underdeveloped themes, but rewards patience with superior third-act action. Denzel Washington's charm and wit elevate the proceedings despite narrative weaknesses. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/08/the-equalizer-3-review-denzel-washingtons-charm-battles-scripted-lulls-1235526677/) ## /Film — Witney Seibold Rating 6.5/10. 29 August 2023. The review concludes that "The Equalizer 3" is a simpler, more straightforward action film that lacks the previous entries' ethical depth, making it feel less substantial overall. It singles out the exhilarating, brutal violence and Denzel Washington's assured performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1379071/the-equalizer-3-review/) ## Digital Spy — Mireia Mullor Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 29 August 2023. The critic calls it an uneven yet brutal final chapter that stays true to the series' savage action style and offers a gratifying wrap-up for the character, though it adds little new. It praises the raw action sequences and Denzel's presence while complaining about the film's unoriginality and redundancy. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44888993/equalizer-3-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-equalizer-3.md