---
title: "Training Day"
year: 2001
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/training-day"
fi1m_id: "training-day"
imdb_id: "tt0139654"
tmdb_id: 2034
wikidata_id: "Q308929"
fi1m_score: 80
critics_score: 78
critics_reviews: 7
published: "2026-09-14"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:28.383746+00:00"
region: "PL"
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."
---

# Training Day (2001)

Directed by Antoine Fuqua · 2h 02m · PISF 18 · Action, Crime, Drama

## Identity

Training Day

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/training-day
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** training-day
- **IMDb ID:** tt0139654
- **TMDB ID:** 2034
- **Wikidata ID:** Q308929
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139654/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/2034, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q308929

**Fi1m score: 80** · Critics 78 from 7 reviews

*In a sentence:* Denzel Washington is so persuasive that being bullied by him briefly looks like a career opportunity

> Denzel Washington makes corruption frighteningly persuasive in Antoine Fuqua’s gripping police thriller. Ethan Hawke gives him someone worth watching opposite, though David Ayer’s script becomes disappointingly ordinary when it ought to be tightening its grip.

## Synopsis

Rookie police officer Jake (Ethan Hawke) is paired with Alonzo (Denzel Washington), a veteran narcotics officer whose methods take him well beyond the rules. On the streets of Los Angeles, Alonzo subjects his new partner to dangerous and humiliating tests, presenting each as part of learning the job. Jake wants to prove himself, but his superior’s conduct makes obedience increasingly difficult. As Alonzo draws him further into his working methods, the distinction between enforcing the law and breaking it becomes harder to maintain. Antoine Fuqua directs this crime drama from a screenplay by David Ayer.

## Review

*Training Day* takes a familiar police-thriller arrangement and makes the apprenticeship itself frightening. The experienced officer has all the confidence; the newcomer must decide how much of his judgement to surrender in order to learn. Antoine Fuqua makes a gripping film from that unequal relationship, with Denzel Washington doing much of the persuading. Our reservation is substantial but simple: David Ayer’s screenplay eventually settles for much more ordinary thrills than these two men can provide.

Washington’s Alonzo is a corrupt narcotics officer who makes knowing better sound like a personal failing in anyone else. His humour matters as much as his aggression, because it gives Jake a reason to remain interested even when he should be alarmed. Washington enjoys Alonzo’s ability to command attention, and Fuqua is right to let that enjoyment become uncomfortable. We felt uneasy watching Jake endure the humiliations presented as instruction. The bullying works because Alonzo makes acceptance by him seem worth the cost.

Ethan Hawke has the harder, less conspicuous task: Jake must be susceptible without seeming incapable of recognising what is in front of him. Hawke makes the desire to impress credible, which keeps the character from becoming merely a decent man available for punishment. We can see why he might hesitate before challenging someone who appears so certain of himself. The performance gives Washington something to push against, and their exchanges remain tense even when Alonzo is being amusing. Neither actor needs the screenplay to announce the difference in their authority.

Mauro Fiore’s cinematography gives the Los Angeles street scenes a glossy finish that suits Alonzo’s appetite for attention. We occasionally wanted less polish, particularly when the setting ought to make his behaviour feel grubby. Naomi Shohan’s production design keeps the surroundings credible, helping the intimidation feel rooted in places where people actually live. Fuqua handles these spaces with assurance, making the encounters feel dangerous without losing track of the people involved. The style sometimes overstates the threat, but it seldom gets in the actors’ way.

Conrad Buff IV’s editing gives the successive encounters enough momentum to stop the film feeling like a collection of tests for Jake. At 122 minutes, it has room for the actors to complicate what might otherwise be a blunt exercise in intimidation. Mark Mancina’s score adds pressure, though the tension between Washington and Hawke is already doing the necessary work. The most persuasive danger comes from wondering what Alonzo will require Jake to accept next.

The difficulty comes when Ayer asks the plot to take over from that relationship. Its later contrivances require a degree of indulgence that the performances have not needed, and the action grows more conventional. We will leave the details alone, but the change costs the film some of its earlier unease. Fuqua stages it confidently, with a clear sense of pace, but the strain in the plotting remains. Too much of the closing stretch depends on accepting what the screenplay needs to happen.

The police thriller often treats professional competence as a reason to forgive almost anything, and Fuqua makes that habit worth questioning. Alonzo is compelling enough for the temptation to register, even when his conduct should settle the matter. That gives *Training Day* something nastier and more interesting than the routine clash of a seasoned officer and a beginner. Go for Washington and Hawke; be prepared for the plot to become less interesting than either of them.

*Fi1m score 80, published 14 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Training Day, with praise clustering around Denzel Washington’s charismatic, threatening performance as a corrupt narcotics officer. The reviews repeatedly credit him with making familiar police-thriller material tense and unsettling, while Ethan Hawke earns approval for his convincing, understated rookie. Antoine Fuqua’s direction also draws praise for its pace, style and handling of tense encounters. Several critics value the screenplay’s uneasy overlap between police work and criminal behaviour.

The main reservation is the final act, where several reviews find that moral complexity gives way to routine plotting, contrivance and cop-film clichés. The spread is largely one of enthusiasm rather than outright disagreement, though The New York Times is more sceptical, finding the drama intermittently effective but too dependent on action-film retribution. Total Film likewise draws a sharp distinction between the gripping early stretch and a routine climax, while still admiring both leads.

## Straight answers

**Is Training Day worth watching?**

*Training Day* is worth watching for Denzel Washington's frightening, funny corrupt narcotics officer and Ethan Hawke's credible rookie, and we scored it 80. Antoine Fuqua keeps the police-thriller relationship tense for most of its 122 minutes. Our caveat is David Ayer's screenplay, which settles for ordinary thrills in the closing stretch when the two men deserved better.

**How long is Training Day, and what is it rated?**

*Training Day* runs 2h 02m and is rated 18 by the PISF in Poland. It is an action and crime film.

**Where can I watch Training Day in Poland?**

*Training Day* is streaming on Netflix in Poland, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from zł 9.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Training Day, and is it suitable for children?**

*Training Day* is an 18 certificate in the UK and R in the US, and it is not for children. The film is built on intimidation: Alonzo subjects Jake to dangerous, humiliating tests on the streets of Los Angeles, and we felt uneasy watching him endure them. Expect violence, drugs and sustained menace; the squeamish should approach with care.

**How does Training Day compare to Infernal Affairs?**

*Training Day* is the more direct of the two: one corrupt officer bullying one rookie over a single day, held together by Denzel Washington's performance. [*Infernal Affairs*](https://film.one/film/infernal-affairs) is a Hong Kong thriller of divided loyalties, tighter in its editing and more exhausting in its deception. Choose Fuqua's film for a star turn; choose the Hong Kong film for sharper construction, though its parallels can feel too tidy.

**What should I watch after Training Day?**

After *Training Day*, try [*The Big Heat*](https://film.one/film/the-big-heat) (1953, Fi1m 86): Fritz Lang makes a policeman’s righteous anger increasingly difficult to endorse. Then [*Infernal Affairs*](https://film.one/film/infernal-affairs) (2002, Fi1m 87): A Hong Kong thriller where divided loyalties make every conversation dangerous.

### Reviews we read (15)

- **Empire**, Chris Hewitt (85/100, inferred): A cracking cop drama anchored by Washington's fantastic against-type performance and Fuqua's thoughtful, stylish direction, evoking an urban LA Confidential with tense set-pieces and moral complexity. It is slightly marred by an unsatisfactory climax. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/training-day-review/)
- **Radio Times**, Jason Caro (4/5): This is a powerful anti-buddy movie set on the mean streets of LA, directed with style and snap by Antoine Fuqua and anchored by highly credible characterisations from its two stars. Though the script succumbs to some cop clichés, this does not blunt the persuasive effect of the work from all concerned. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-pq0tna/training-day/)
- **Slant Magazine** (80/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a rock-solid thriller that traces a corrupt cop's abuse of power and notes how it blurs the lines between police and criminals in a gritty, ironic narrative. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/training-day/)
- **The Independent**, Nick Barber (80/100, inferred): The critic praises how the film sharpens the edges of the veteran-rookie buddy-cop formula into something riveting, with Denzel Washington's charismatic, rule-breaking narcotics officer driving the action. Hawke's rookie is drawn in despite the escalating danger. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/shallow-hal-training-day-nightshift-9142896.html)
- **The AV Club**, Keith Phipps (75/100, inferred): The review highlights Denzel Washington's striking performance as a morally ambiguous narcotics officer and commends the screenplay's exploration of the line between cops and criminals, though it finds the final act a letdown. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/training-day-1798192789)
- **Total Film** (70/100, inferred): A gripping but retrograde dirty-cop thriller that delivers a simple, brutal pleasure in its first act before descending into genre bilge with a routine climax. Terrific acting, especially from Washington and an understated Hawke, stands out. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/training-day-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan: The critic praises Denzel Washington's exceptional, edge-pushing performance that elevates the film, noting it creates a wall-to-wall uneasiness in L.A. streets and gives audiences great acting and something to ponder despite an ending that resolves in cops-and-robbers style. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-05-ca-53522-story.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert: The critic praises the film's kinetic energy and Denzel Washington's over-the-top, villainous performance as a corrupt cop, noting it shades into humor and that he enjoyed the ride despite plot excesses and implausibilities in the final act. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/training-day-2001)
- **Screen Daily**: Antoine Fuqua's gritty, highly-intense crime policier is his most satisfying and technically accomplished picture to date, with taut direction and splendid acting from the two leads, especially Denzel Washington's bravura performance as the monstrous, seductive corrupt officer Alonzo. The film elevates above the routine policier thanks to the leads' work and masterful tension-building scenes. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/training-day/406830.article)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (***): Praises Denzel Washington’s showy, villainous turn as the corrupt narcotics cop who puts his rookie partner through humiliating and dangerous initiations. Notes the film is well-acted and competently directed but faults its excessive length and reliance on a contrived final coincidence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/feb/01/culture.peterbradshaw)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Michael Rechtshaffen: The critic finds Denzel Washington's turn as a corrupt cop electrifying and praises the film's taut direction and script for revitalizing familiar cop-drama territory. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/training-day-2001-movie-review-926939/)
- **The New Yorker**, David Denby: The critic calls it the most vital police drama in years for its power and darker ambiguity, singling out Denzel Washington's charismatic, frightening, and complex performance as the rogue cop while noting some trashy and contrived elements. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/10/15/on-the-beat)
- **The New York Times**, Elvis Mitchell: The critic finds the film intermittently successful as a police drama but ultimately a glib potboiler, highlighting Denzel Washington's notable, larger-than-life performance as the Machiavellian corrupt cop while noting it relies too much on action-movie retribution. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/05/movies/film-review-this-is-not-a-mentoring-program-to-emulate.html)
- **Time Out**, TCh: The critic sees a nifty B-movie underneath the glossy cop thriller, with Denzel Washington delivering a standout performance as the best bad cop in years. Director Fuqua keeps it slick and sleazy, though the script is more propulsive than credible. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/training-day)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an in-your-face, manipulative take on police corruption that feels episodic at first but builds with military precision in its plotting. Washington delivers a shocking, energetic performance against type as the corrupt Alonzo, while Hawke grows convincingly into his role as the rookie. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/training-day-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)

## Details

- **Director:** Antoine Fuqua
- **Director:** Antoine Fuqua
- **Screenplay:** David Ayer
- **Cinematography:** Mauro Fiore
- **Editor:** Conrad Buff IV
- **Music:** Mark Mancina
- **Production design:** Naomi Shohan
- **Costume design:** Michele Michel
- **Producer:** Jeffrey Silver, Robert Newmyer
- **Cast:** Denzel Washington as Alonzo; Ethan Hawke as Jake; Scott Glenn as Roger; Tom Berenger as Stan Gursky; Harris Yulin as Doug Rosselli; Raymond J. Barry as Lou Jacobs; Cliff Curtis as Smiley; Dr. Dre as Paul
- **Runtime:** 2h 02m
- **Certificate (PISF):** 18
- **Release (Poland):** 1 February 2002
- **Genres:** Action, Crime, Drama
- **Budget:** $45 million
- **Box office:** $105 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ-SCoyUwfg

## Where to watch in Poland

- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: rent zł 9.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy zł 39.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-14.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IN, IT, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, US, VN. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2002: Best Supporting Actor (nominated); Best Actor (won)
- MTV Movie Award for Best Villain 2002: MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Big Heat* (1953), Fi1m 86: Fritz Lang makes a policeman’s righteous anger increasingly difficult to endorse. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-big-heat.md)
- *Serpico* (1973): Al Pacino faces police corruption without the protection of belonging.
- *Violent Cop* (1989): Takeshi Kitano strips the reassuring professionalism from another dangerously forceful policeman.
- *Internal Affairs* (1990): Richard Gere makes police corruption seductive, personal and difficult to challenge.
- *Infernal Affairs* (2002), Fi1m 87: A Hong Kong thriller where divided loyalties make every conversation dangerous. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/infernal-affairs.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/training-day