Antoine Fuqua’s action thriller “The Equalizer” (2014), starring Denzel Washington, is based on the TV series of the same name. Aired on CBS between 1985 and 1989, the 88-episode series focuses on the life and deeds of former covert operations officer Robert McCall. Haunted by his past, Mr. McCall operates outside the law when the institutions fail to protect vulnerable people. Antoine Fuqua brilliantly uses the enduring appeal of the vigilante hero, further bolstered by the powerful screen presence of Denzel Washington. “The Equalizer” was Antoine Fuqua’s second collaboration with Denzel Washington after the actor’s Oscar-winning performance in “Training Day” (2001) as the dirty cop Alonzo Harris.

The actor and director went on to collaborate on the two “Equalizer” sequels and a remake of “The Magnificent Seven” (2016). Denzel Washington’s masterful performance in “The Equalizer” (2014) is a blend of restraint and intensity. Washington’s physicality and nuanced gestures make Robert McCall...